The Indianapolis journal., 1899-12-19

In the House of Representatives a few
days ago Mr.. Williams, of Mississippi pre-
sented a resolution which, to use his Ian
guage, is 1.-THE result of consultation among
a number of Democratic leaders i'm the
House." The resolution declares it to be
the purpose of the government to with
draw its land and sea forces from the
Philippines upon the establishment of
peace and the organization of a govern
ment or governments by the people of the
islands, provided the Filipino government
or governments refund to us the $4,000. 900
which was paid to SPAIN The Filipinos are
to give us a naval station and coaling sta
tions, free access for our merchandise and
our missionaries; but for period of ten
years they are to surrender into our keep
ing 'the entire question of foreign rela-
tons and to pay the expenses of any
troops we may keep on Philippine territory
at the request of the island government.
The foregoing, according to Mr.. Williams,
is the policy of the Democratic leaders of
the House in relation to the Philippines.
That this is the Democratic declaration of
the House has been doubted outside, but
no Democrat In the House protested. so it
is fair to assume that the resolution re-
fleets the sentiment of the party in that
branch of Congress. 1t does not seem that
Mr.. Williams and his associates asked Mr..
Bryan IL this shall be the Democratic
policy, but the hasty zeal of Mr.. Williams
in behalf of government by the consent of
the governed must be pardoned. since he
lives in State which has deprived 140-
600 voters of the right to express consent
or dissent regarding their government by
He evidently desires to make amends for
the outrage In which he participated by
giving to men bearing arms against the
United States the right to do as they
please.
There can be no doubt that If Mr.. Will
liams's friend, Aguinaldo, could be over
taken and presented with copy of his
joint resolution, he would accept with
thanks. provided the American Congress
would adopt 1t. Under such freedom as
turn to Manila and go about governing
without regard to the consent of anyone
the work of governing, in his vocabulary.
being Synonymous with robbing the natives
with dispatch and neatness. Nor would he
stop with the natives: he would turn upon
the foreigners and compel them to empty
into his strong box the profits of their
commerce, since Mr. Williamss resolution
gives Aguinaldo absolute power without
responsibility. The plundered English and
respective governments. and their respec-
tive governments would call upon the
United States. having entire charge of the
foreign relations of Aguinaldos govern
ment to reimburse their subjects for prop
erty taken by him and his associates. Hav-
ing charge of the foreign relations of the
Filipino government we would be obliged
to pay the damages. We might send our
ships to lombard Manila until Aguinaldo
should disgorge. but it would be very ex-
much cheaper TO let Aguinaldo rob the for
eign merchants at his sweet will and for
us to foot the bills without a word. Aguin-
aldo would appreciate that sort of thing.
1t is unfortunate for Aguinaldo that this
Democratic resolution cannot reach him.
1t Is Just what he has been having his
friends killed for. 1t gives him all he has
ever asked for and all that he desires-the
undisputed right to rob everybody in the
Philippines. In fact. 1t is more than he
has asked for. since the United States gov
ernment must protect him against in
trusion while he plumbers. This resolu-
ton must gladden. Edward Atkinson. An
drew Carnegie. Carl Schurz. Winslow and
most the Democratic leaders in the North
who have expressed opinions on the Phil
ippine question: By all means bring the
House to a vote on the resolution in case
it receives the approval of Mr.. Bryan.