Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-01-06

|
found In Orleans Territory population
of only 1856, and in Missouri Territory
only 20,S45. Separated from our other
lands by the width of the Mississippi
only, that river and its tributary, the
Ohio, made white immigration easy. In
| 1912 Orleans became the state of
Louisiana, and in 1921 Missouri was
fully admitted as state. Not moment
of colonial government" as subject
people, can be found In the history of
either.
Texas came to us as state, with its
own government 10 full operation, In
1915. The census of 1850 found her
total population only 2l2,592. Of these,
foreign-born; .034 were white, only
IS, 55S colored. Not minute of colonial
government did we give Texas.
California. ceded by Mexico IN TgU-
ruary, 1913, was under our military
government until 1850, when she became
state. The census of that year found
her population only 92,597. OF these,
| 70.795 were born In the United States,
only 2l,S02 were foreign-born; 81 ,635
were white, only 962 colored. The
treaty of cession made all white Mexican
residents citizens, equal in civil rights
with native white Americans. Not a
trace of colonial government can be
found in our California, unless the con-
troll by our military from 1913 to 1850
can be so called.
| In each of these instances an insignif-
cant number of resident French and
Spanish people came under our iuris-
diction. Their lands, lying adjacent to
our other territory, invited immigration
| from our own people, who soon became
the vast majority of the population.
You also cite the residence of Poles,
Hungarians, Italians, and others in our
states. They in no instance have been
subject to any colonial government here.
1t is one thing to permit an inferior
number of alien races to reside in the
midst of our own people; it is wholly
different thing to govern ten millions of
divers Asiatic races, who form well-nigh
the entire population of tropical islands
more than ten thousand miles from our
shores.
Our war with Spain began without any
relation to the Filipinos. AS a righttul
act of war our fleet destroyed a Spanish
feet in Manila Harbor, and, aided by
our troops, gave us control of both city
and harbor. But we have no possession,
or control, of the remainder of Luzon, or
of any other of the group. except small
| COrregidOr, In the entrance to Manila
| HarbOr.
About ten millions of people, of
various Asatic races with very few
Europeans), constitute the Filipinos.
Some of these races are war,ike. Spain
has never subdued a large number of
these peoples. She has controlled the
harbors; has some fortified towns and
posts, mainly on the coasts. These peO-
Piles differ in religious, customs, and
culture, as well as race
Many of those who had submitted to
Spain were In rebellion when our war
began, and others have since Joined them.
If Spain shall cede the Philippines to US,
we will take title from a grantor who is
now in actual possession of very little of
the land conveyed; and with notice that
much of that land is held by peoples
who claim it as their own property and
Jurisdiction.
How can our act of war as to the fleet,
harbor, and city of Manila impose upon
us any duty to conquer the remainder of
LuzOn and the other islands, and their
millions of people?
Our people are utterly ignorant and
inexperienced as to "the how" such
peoples must be managed and governed.
England learned how by more than a
century OF actual experience In India-a
century full of wars and troubles. This
enabled her to form an army of civil
servants well Instructed and equipped,
which continues on duty without change
(save in few of the highest posts) no
matter how frequently one political party
! gives the powers of government to its
| opponent.
If we take the Philippines, we must
first conquer the native races, and then
| hpOin laarn how RI aanh Of
them; begin to create the army of civil
servants which, under the constant pro-
lection of our army and navy, must
administer the government.
Does our history indicate that we shall
succeed as the guardian and ruler of
subject races? Do not generations of
mlsrule of American Indians. and years
| of carpetbag control of our own South,
tell of our incapacity for such duties?
| While at peace with other nations, we
shall find ample trouble within the
islands. When at war with any strong
naval power, we shall find it very diff
ticult if not impossible, to hold them
against outside attack because they are
islands; because they are 80 numerous !;
because their peoples are of alien and
diverse races; and because they are so
many thousands of miles from our
| country.
A careful study of their trade, and OF
the necessary expense, will show that
each year, we shall be compelled to pay
out many millions of dollars more than
we can possibly receive from them.
In ceding them Spain will play the
part of Pandora. l am no pessimist.
My disposition is optimistic. When our
war began, told my friends that our
military and naval success would be
speedy; that we should easily dispose of
Spain. But added, "Our troubles will
begin when we end with Spain"
Another correspondent of The Outlook,
Frank Drew of Worcester, Mass, replies
to statement appearing in that maya
zine. The response is printed with a