Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-23
TALKING TOO MuCH.

In commenting on the report that the
government has determined TO send some
dynamite guns to the Philippines, our
esteemed imperialstic contemporary, the
Ohio State Journal, says the idea is a
good one. a dynamite gun. continues the
journal. is enough to frghten the wits
out Of a white man, let alone lot of
savages. and when these hear one of the
shells explode they will imagine that we
have sent over some homemade earth
quakes
In characterizing our erstwhle allies
in the far East as a lot of savages, and
in attempting TO justify resort to the
most extreme measures in dealing with
them, the Journal aligns itself with other
administration organs and with Governor
Roosevelt The New York hero of San
Juan hill ond of the round robin, has, it
will be remembered, been especially vehe-
ment in denouncing the Fliplnos as
savages and in supporting the policy of
treating them as SUCH
But Professor Schurman, the chief
engineer of the Mckinley diplomatic
benevolent assimilation machinery,
who has Just returned from the Philip
pines, is quoted as saying that we must
deal gently with the Filipinos; that they
are entitled TO sympathetic cOnsidera-
ten" that the educated Filipino is the
equal of any other civilized man in the
world, that he has many pleasing traits;
that he is a good neighbor and that his
home life is exemplary. In short, taken
by and through. the picture Professor
Schurman draws of our new wards"
or our prospective new wards" cor
responds with that drawn by the admin
istration organs in the initial stages OF
our Philippine venture, and when 1t was
sought TO produce the impression that
the only object of military occupation
Of the islands was TO free the gentle,
confidlng natives" from the cruel Spanish
yoke. Before we broke faith with Agui-
naldo and forced him TO give us an
excuse for entering upon a war of sub
iueation, this picture was kept constantly
before the public.
But Professor Schurman is not the only
man who evidently thinks the original
gust 20, 1895, Admiral Dewey wrote to the
Secretary of the Navy that in a telegram
dated August 23d. he expressed the opn-
ion that these people Ohe Fillpino9 are
far superior in their intelligence and
more capable of self-government than the
natives OF Cuba. and l am familiar with
both races" And in his letter he added
-t.t, "A
confirmed him in his opinion. Now the
Admiral is quoted as having said
at Naples that he is fully convinced that
the Filipinos are capable Of governing
themselves; that they "have all quail
ncations for it,; and that 1.-The only way
to settle the instruction and assure
prosperity 10 the archipelago Is 10 con-
eede self-government to the inhabitants"
But that is not all. lie is said 10 have
remarked in the same interview; 1.-THE
islands are at this moment block
AIDED by fleet, and war relgns IN the
interior. This abnormal state Of things
should cease. l should Ike
TO sec violence at once put stop to-"
When We recall tho friction between
General Otis and the Philippines Com
mission during the latter's stay IN and
around Manila, 1t becomes clear that
Professor Schuman and Admiral Dewey
not only agree as TO the character of the
Fillpinos. but in reprobating as unncces-
sary the harsh policy Of the admlnistra-
ton.
whether the character testimony Of the
TWO distinguished witnesses is 10 be i'm
ohciuy relied upon. will, of course. be
question In great many minds. BE
ihey never 80 sincere and we do not
Noubt their sincerity. the fact remains
I, That the Fiiipinos with whom they were
thrown constitute but small part of the
population OF the islands, and practically
represent only one OF the racial divisions
OF the group. We are told by those who
nave explored tina archipelago as far az