The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1899-10-21
THE PHILIPPINE WAR.

LILLE FHlLIHHINE WAN.
That the war in the Philippines will
be prosecuted, whether right or wrong
is foregone conclusion, unless con
gress shall, at the next session, call ;
halt, and this is altogether unlikely
since congress will be under the SAM
influence that controls the administra
tion. Nevertheless the fact that j
will be prosecuted does not remove
from it the stigma of being unjust, fo
it is waged simply upon the excuse o
might, to subjgate people who have
a right to govern themselves. There
are but two reasons advanced, excep
that of gain to trade, why the wal
should be prosecuted. They are that
whatever might have been or should
be, the Philippine islands are in fac
a part of the United States, and a:
such, are subject to national con troll
therefore any of the people who resist
are in rebellion as much as were the
people of The South during the clvi
war; and that we have assumed re-
sponsibility and by reason of the Paris
treaty we are bound by international
obligatiors to establish and maintain
q government on the islands.
The validity of the first conten tion
is obscure indeed. What title did we
get from Spain by the terms OF the
Paris treaty? And what title did
Spain hold to the islands then or at
any time in the near past? 1t does
not appear that Spain had at the time
of the treaty or when war between the
United States and that country was de-
clared any very clear title to or posses
sed any very great portion OF che ter
ritory of the islands. Notwithstanding
she had claimed possession of the
islands for centuries and had main
tained an armed force on Luzon for a
great many years, and had collected
certain taxes from the people of diff
ferent islands of the archipelago. But
when our fleet entered the harbor OF
Manila, the Tagals were in state of
insurrection and had about gained
their independence from Spain.
Therefore Spain was not in a position
to convey title either to the islands or
the Inhabitants, hence if we gained
title from her it was of such nature
that it was at least not one on which
we could base a valid claim. Then the
Philippine islands could not well have
become portion of the United States
through purchase. And if not by pur-
chase, then they could not become
Uuited states territory except by con-
quest or through the consent of the
people That we have not gained pos
session to them through the latter
source is evident from the fact that
the people of the islands still object to
our domination. hence the only shadow
of title we have is through the war of
conquest that we are now waging.
However this is in direct conflict
with the declaration of the administra-
tion when war was made in behalf of
Cuba, when it was distinctly promised
to the world that it should not be a
war for territorial acquisition. Viewed
from all points. therefore. this govern
nent has no vested or acquired rights
TO the islands, and it's war against the
Filipinos finds no excuse of being an
attempt. to put down rebellion upon
United States territory.
The second contention, that we are
under obligations to establish and
maintain government upon the is
ands is alike devoid of fact Where
Ind to whom were these obligations,
made? Certainly not to Spain, for she
had no right to demand, and not to the |
for they did not ask it.
When our feet and army entered their |
,arbor and territory it was for the
purpose of driving out common foe.
We found them at peace with each |
,ther, and having in reality governed
for centuries, for Spain
lad only extended nominal control
,ver them, and had occupied less than
part of the territory
they were and had been for years |
their civil affairs, and
out of one hundred of their
,ivil offices were held by natives. They
lad demonstrated beyond question
heir ability to take care of their af-
airs without even the protention OF
he country that claimed them, and
With only slight supervision from the
lead of that government. Then how
3 it that this nation is under obliga-
ions to establish and maintain a gov
rnment in the islands?
The facts are that the war in the
philippines is wholly without excuse.
We brought shady title to the islands
rom Spain. the price of which would
ave gladly been paid back to us by
ne Filipinos if we would have let them
lone, and to make the title good and
.tisfy the greed of few ambitious
sople, who want to hold Office or
AXE fortunes out of furnishing army
lpplies. our government is waging
lentless and unjust war againts a
,ople who haye as good rights to be
ee and Independent and govern
emselves as we haye.
The war is unjust because it is un-
and contrary to the prin- a
pies we have always held dear and
lich have made US the greatest
tion on earth. 1t was uncalled for,
cause it was the result of a blunder e
lde by President Mckinley when q
1t January he ordered General Otis a
issue that fatal proclamation declar- b
z that military rule of the United p
ates should be extended over the "
ands, and that the mission of the
lited States was one of benevolent
,imilation" which meant to the IL
lipinos the blighting of all hopes for
d