The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-02-25
FACTS ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES.

FACTS ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES.
In his speech before the Union League,
of Chicago, on Washington's birthday,
Senator c. X. Davis, of Minnesota. had
the unblushing effrontery to repeat the
declaration made by him on previous oc-
casions to the effect that during the re-
cent war this country had not friend
on the continent Of Europe. He also
favored triple alliance of Great Britain,
Japan and the United States, to "safe-
guard the business of the world" in Chi
nese waters, and to preserve the intee-
rity of the Celestial Empire. He would
hold the Philippine islands, and treat
them with the hand of paternal affection
wherever possible, and by the hand of
paternal chastisement whenever neces-
sary. This mercenary advocate of COR
poratlons declared that the Filipinos are
not able to govern themselves and es-
tablish an independent republic. 81
think" said he, mo man in this audi
ence who has read the current journals
will for moment question that they
are not"
So far as the Chicago journals are
concerned that kind of argument must
have had much force with the audience.
for all the journals of the Windy City
are advocating the policy of grab, and
belittling the intelligence of the natives
ic1o
American soldiers at Manila, who have
better opportunities to Judge of the fit
ness of the Filipinos to govern them
selves, entertain contrary opinion.
The Minneapolis Times of last Mon
day published five-column letter from
Martin E. Tew, newspaper man with
the 18th regiment, at Manila, who says
that the remarkable successes of the Fill
lplnos IN organizing an army and insti-
tutlng a government have been sources
OF surprise to the American invaders.
They are preserving law and order in
every portion of the country where their
authority has been established" says
Mr.. Tew, "and, SO far as we are able to
learn, their government has the loyal
and unqualified support of the people. :"
Speaking of the capture of Iloilo, by
the insurgents, he says: According to
all reports, the Filipinos entered in the
most perfect order, scattered their forces
over the city in various public buildings.
pollced the streets and maintained the
peace and quiet in the town in manner
that would have done credit to a most
highly civilized nation. There was no
looting, no insult to men or women. no
robbery. drunkenness or disorder Even
the Spanish papers admitted that the
occupation of Iloilo by their former
rebellious subjects was of character
beyond criticism
Further on, Mr.. Tew declares that if
the war comes between the Filipinos
and the Americans, it will be only in the
! event that the latter attempt to drive
the former out of the country, that they
now hold. There is good reason to be-
lieve it was that attempt by the Ameri-
cans that brought on the battle of two
weeks ago. Mr.. Tew goes on to say
that large proportion of the American
! soldiers think the Filipinos are right in
their demands for independence, and
that if it comes to driving them out of
their own territory. many son of Co.
lumbia will enter into the conflict with
the conviction that he is fighting in a
bad cause"
He says that though an ideal republic
is not possible in the Philippines, yet
republic in the Philippines would be as
successful as a republic in Mexico, or
Brazil, and many Americans agree with
him.
Another newspaper man who was with
the 18th Minnesota. has returned to
Minneapolis within the past few days.
He is Mr.. Harry Luxton, a wide-awake,
intelligent fellow, and this is what he
says in an interview in the Minneapolis
Tribune of last Wednesday,:
DO we want the Philippines No They
are not worth having, and then the people
are able to govern themselves. All we hold
there is Little piece of territory at Ma
Mia and llolio, and the Filipinos have the
! rest Of the archipelago. AT Ilolio they cap
tured the place. and the property of for
esncrs was respected. and the place well
taken care Of until we got there. and then
| the trouble began. Luzon is theirs. all ex-
| cept Manila. and they have a government,
are collecting taxes. and running things
| in good shape Aguinaldo is a good organ
| izer and a good leader. and they can take
care of themselves and govern themselves
| IL they are allowed to. 1t would be impos-
| siblc to subjugate the whole group a
| force of 100000 men could not do so. because
| there are only a few months when fighting
| can be done. When the hot season comes,
/ then We would have to retire to the cities
just as our army would be obliged to d.
| very shortly there. They will never cub.
nit. and the only way to do Is to let them
| have the whole thing"
The Irish Standard accepts the testi.
mony of these, two young Journalists in
preference to any declaration made BY
Cushman X. Davis relative to the capac.