The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-03
ia. nnYAN AND THE PHILIPPINES.

| MH. DRH ~ AND THE PHILIPPINES.
in an article in the current number OF
the New York Independent Mr.. Bryan
states his position in respect TO the Philip
pines very fully and clearly. lie thinks
thar the FIdpinos ought TO he dealt with
just as we have agreed 10 deal with the
Cubans. They ought TO be given trcir in
dependence. Mr.. Bryan thinks tiat Con
gross ought to have made declaration,
Immediately after id ratified The treaty
With Spain. to the effect that they Should
have their independence just as soon as
stable and enlightened government ives
established IL is his belief that If hat
had been done there would have been no
war in The Philippines, But Congress hav-
ing failed to do that, he thinks the Presi-
dent ought to announce that It is the pur-
pose Of Che government to give the FIJI
pinos independence, and that Il he doesn't
want TO take the responsibility of doing
that he should give Congress a chance To
do it by calling that body together IN an
extra session at once.
Undoubtedly a very large portion of the
American people are in favor of indie
pendonce for the Flpinos, but we are far
from being certain that the programme
mapped out by MIR. Bryan is a wise one.
The question of Offering the Filpinos in
dependence was discussed before the last
Congress adjourned. but it was sad that
the offer of Independence could hardly be
made while they were ia arms against the
United States. They attacked US before
they knew what our purpose IN respect
10 them was. They had no confidence in
us and placed no reliance upon our prom
ises. Therefore if we had said to them
that we would give them independence
jrst as soon as we had established in the
islands a stable government it is prob
able that they wouldn't have trusted us.
The war would have taken place. Tho
situation wouldn't have been changed in
the least
AS matter of fact. after Congress ad-
journed, the President offered them every
thing he had the power to offer. What
he offered them through the commission
was but little short OF independence.
Aguinaldo and his advisors rejected every
proposition made to them. The total
abandonment of the islands by US was the
only thing that would satisfy them. 1t is
apparent therefore that if the President
had offered the Fnipinos independence on
the establishment of a stable government
the offer would have been rejected.
What evidence has Mr.. Bryan that if
such an offer were made to them now by
the President 1t would be accepted? Has
he any whatever? If he has there is no
,f H. PM
of fact, the President hasn't any author
ity TO offer the FilipinOs independence now
or when a stable government shall have
been established. Nobody knows that bet
ter than Mr. Bryan does. The only thing
the President can do is to continue the
effort to put down the Instruction Mr..
Bryan understands that, and so he sug
gests that Congress be called together at
once to declare that the Filipinos shah
have independence when they have a
stable government.
But what reason has Mr.. Bryan for
thinking that Congress Is in favor of Civ
ing the Filipinos independence? In view
OF the fact that the Republicans very gen
orally and a very large portion of the
Democrats believe that we ought to hold
on TO the Phiiippnes-that the Filipinos
are unfit for self-government, and that at
tempts at self-govornment would be fol-
lowed by revolutions, and interference on
the part of European Powers-the chances
are that Congress wouldn't make decla-
ration that the Filipiuos should have in
dependence. And Mr.. Bryan isn't pre-
pared 20 say that the Filpinos would ac-
cept Independence that was dependent on
the establishment of a stable government.
II doesn't appear therefore that the posi-
ton taken 10y Mr. Bryan is one that is
likely to appeal very strongly to the peo-
pie.