The times., 1899-06-24

One of our subscribers sends us the fol-
lowing questions which we take pleasure
in answering:
First-was there any formidable. Organized re-
distance to Spanish authority in the Philippines
at the time OF the destruction OF SPANS heet
in Manila Bay!
second-was II not with the consent of the
United States that Aguinsido organized military
force TO act in concert with Admiral Dewey,
while the latter held Manila under the guns Of
his aeetg
rhird-Did not the Filipino force raised by
Aguinaldo, BY intoIerahle interference with our
troops. and aggressive behavior generally, bring
the present conflict
Fourth-Tas il not a magnanimous thing, un-
der the circumstances, to give Spain quit claim
consideration in money for the Philippine lslandsg
Fiftll-Is il rot the general sentiment of the
American people that, when order IS restored IN
the Philippines the people Of the islands shall be
allowed 10 govern themselves as far as possible,
with reference to the good order Of the country
and the protection of life liberty, and property,
the United States reserying supervisory interest
for the benefit of its commerce and the con-
venience Of its Navy
Sxth-Did not Agu;naldo once accept a money
consideration from Spain to quit the Philippines
Taking up the questions consecutively,
10 the first IL may be answered that there
was no formidable organized insurrection
in the Philippines when Admiral Dewey
yite The rebellion had been practically
crushed some time before. and its leaders
We're in exile.
f2) Aguinaldo was allowed to come
to Cavite from Hongkong and was as
sisted to arm natives for the purpose of
helping to hold the Spanish garrison in
Manila in check until American troops
- to folra I.
90 These native forces no sooner re-
ceiyed American assistance than Aguinal-
do and others of influence among them be-
came assertive and impudent and declared
the independence of the islands, acting
with complete treaehery toward our au-
thorities from the outset. 1t was their
hostility in surrounding our lines with
trenches. in seizing the Manila water
works. in firing on our troops ct night,
and. finally. in attempting an insurrection
and the massacre of all Americans in the
city that precipitated the present con-
fict.
"a Certainly it was magnanimous for
the Mckinley Administration TO present
Spain with the free gift Of twenty million
dollars Of the American peoples money, as
well as to relinquish all claim to the Car
olines Pelew, and Ladrone islands-ex-
cepting Guam. But these acts were to-
tally unnecessary, and the motives under
lying them form a great mystery. We
could have had the Philippines and all the
other Spanish Pacific islands without
money and without price, and ought to
have so taken them. History viii hold
the President and his kitchen cabinet Sc
verely to account for this blunder. which
may have been an outbreak of mere stu
pidity on the part of the crossroads law
yer then at the head of the State Depart
ment or may have involved secret deal
of some sort with certain European inter
'ests and influences.
90 1t is the general sentiment of tn,
American people that all OF our colonie
should be given the beneht of our libera
institutions. and should be allowed a shar,
in their own government. but only TO tn,
extent that they may be found capable o
exercising IT in accordance with the die
iates of our laws, ideas. and civilization
II is the stern determination OF all patrioti
citizens of the United States TO see tha
our flag and sovereignty are as fully ans
eternally respected In the Philippines a
they are and are expected to be in tn,
District of Columbia Experience hayin;
demonstrated that the Tagal natives of III,
Island Of Luzon are as much to be trusted
and are as capable of intelligent self gov
ernment. as carload of snakes, tarantulas
and centlpedes. it is evident that we mus
be patient with and gradually cducat
them to a sense of their duties and respon
sibiiities. This will take time, and vii
not be accomplished through lectures b,
Mr. McKiniey's schoolmarm Peace Com
missioners.
Probably it will come, in the ordinar,
ways OF Providence. by means Of Western
American colonization. Luzon is rich il
gold. and gold viii always bring the mis-
sionaries of Anglo-ssxon civilization
When camps spring up. peopled by hard.
frontiersmen and old Indian fighters fron
cur Rocky Mountain and Pacific States
there Will be direct contact for the Fill
pihos with the most virile kind of Ameri
can life and progress. They viii lear
rapidly. since they are naturally bright
but those who decline to accept the bool
OF adjustment to the conditions fated b.
the results of the Spanish war and Amari
can manifest destiny, Will die earlier thai
those who are more traetable.
tC. As to the last question of our CORES