The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-22


Tho line OF conduct in relation to the
Philippines. which is proposed In the reso-
lut!ons submitted to the House OF Repre-
sentatives by Mr. WILLIAMS OF Mississippi,
indicates, no doubt, the policy which Mr..
BRYAN will urge the Democratic National
Convention to embody in its platform. The
WILLIAMS resolutions have no chance Of
securing the approval OF Congress. and
even less chance of gaining acceptance in
the country at large.
What Mr.. WILLIAMS proposes is that we
should forthwith proclaim our formal
recognition OF the right Of the Filipinos to
national independence. and that we should
then proceed, upon the establishment OF
peace and the Inauguration OF a constitu-
tional Government or Governments by the
people OF the islands, to withdraw our land
and sea forces. The only proviso suggested
Is that the Filipino Government or Govern
ments should agree to refund the $40. oOO.-
600 paid by us to Spain, to cede to
us In full sovereignty, certain naval
stations and to grant our people the per-
petual right OF free access to all the Filipino
ports. Mr.. WILLIAMS would further have
us pledge ourselves for n term OF ten years
70 protect the Filipino Government or
Governments from foreign aggression. on
condition that they shall entrust to us
during that period the exclusive manage
ment Of their foreign relations, and defray
the cost OF keeping military and naval
forces in the Philippines or the adjacent
waters for protective purposes.
There is no doubt that AaUINALpo and
kha hnd,y ~ fnUitixyaa xrhn attn nd
him would assent eagerly to the condi-
tions which Mr.. WILLIAMS would propose,
in return for the concession OF national
independence. The insurgents have al.
ready framed and promulgated what they
call a constitution, and they would conse.
quently describe the ambulatory Govern,
ment, which Is moving with AGUIsALDc
from one place Of refuge to another
as constitutional. They would agree
to reimburse us for the $40. 900, ooC
paid by US to Spain, because they coulC
easily secure the money In the course OF 6
couple OF years from the customs revenue.
OF Manila and other Filipino seaports
They would agree, OF course, to give III
two or more coaling stations because, a
present, they have nothing to give anc
everything to gain; whether they nigh
not try hereafter to recover the coalinl
stations on one pretext or another Is diff
ferent question. They would cheerful!
consent, moreover, to leave the foreign
relations OF the Philippines in the hand
of the United States for certain perio,
in return for the promise to shield then
from foreign aggression, because the,
would thus be relieved from the cost O
creating and maintaining considerable
army and navy for sef-defence. In word
AoUINALDo and his few remaining friend
would consent to anything. II thereby the!
could bring about the evacuation OF tn
island OF Luzon and the city Of Manila b,
our army, and could see themselves trans
formed from hunted fugitives into tn
absolute masters OF the lives liberties an,
property Of their fellow countrymen
Let us suppose that such bargain wer
carried out. and that the last American sol
der were withdrawn from Manila. VIVA
treatment could be looked for by the grea
majority OF the inhabitants OF that larg
and opulent city, who have been orderl
and law-abiding during the last ten months
and have thus exposed themselves {
the charge Of sympathizing with the Amei
leans? We know what treatment they woul
receive, because we know what fat
has befallen the inhabitants OF interic
towns who have welcomed the America
soldiers, and subsequently have bee
left at the mercy Of the insurgent.
within twenty.four hours after ou
soldiers had departed, Manila would b.
come a shambles, and we should /
responsible for the blood OF multtudes ,
victims, guilty OF nothing but obedicn,
60 our commands and OF reliance upon OF
protection. Neither can II be taken Il
grantedthat. in the vlndirtive and prcdatoI
rges which would follow our abandonmel
ofMania, the property, or even the lives,
foreign residents would he spared by ii
hnlf-civilized Malays who constitute the bu
OF AdUISALDo's followers.
The foreign Governments, whose eli
Gems or subjects had been matreate
would take summary measures to secu
o." r'Ss, whcrcupon, under the compa
which Mr., WILLIAMS recommends. O
military y, and naval forces would be fort
~'h "tN'lof ~ dc'"nd Mnn'n ar,inst p