The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-31

suggest. Recently he has given a clear
and succlnct statement OF the policy that
he would have adopted and would adopt
that not only offers what would have been
an honorable means OF avoiding the war
CRADLE way yet OF stopping hostilities, OF
restoring order and of establishing a
stable and capable native government In
the Philippines, under an American pro-
guaranteeing independence to
the islanders and yet making our influence
paramount and our commerce the greatest
and most profitable in the archipelago.
Here is Colonel Bryans statement and
It is a complete answer to imperialism"
The treaty should have provided for the IN
dependence of the Philippine islands. as II did
for the Independence OF Cuba but thought It
better to raiify the treaty and declare the ma
tions policy by resolution tnan reject the
treaty.
! favored the Bacon resolution, which prom
ised the Filpinos independence as soon a3
stable government could be established. ] be-
lieye, further. that our nation should protect
the Filipino republic from outside interfer >
ence while 1t FORKS out Its own destiny
in other words, believe we should treat the
Filip.nos as we have promised TO treat the
Cubans. and as we have treated the people OF
Mexico and the people OF South and Central
America. Monnrchies are founded upon force.
but republics are founded upon consent.
The declaration of Independence asserts that
governments derive their just powers from the
consent of the governed. II the declaration Ia
soi nd we can not rightfully acquire title by
conquest or by purchase from an alien mon
arch. whose title we disputed when we fur
nishcd arms to the Filipinos.
If the administration had given to the Fill
pinos the assurance of independence which
was given to the Cubans there would have
been no bloodshed. II that insurance is given
TO Withdraw the soldiers until a stable gov
ernment liz established. but II Will be easy to
establish n stable government when 1t Is
known that our occupation OF the Philippine
islands is only temporary.
''Forcible annexation would be criminal and
contrary to our code OF morality"
These views undoubtedly voice the opin-
ion OF an overwhelming majority of the
democrats OF tho country and OF large
numbers OF republicans in all sections OF
the United States.
They not only point out what ought to
have been done. in justice and right, and
as a wise national policy, but they contain
the outlines of a definite policy that could
yet be adopted with credit to the country,
without loss to us flor the Filipinos would
gladly pay back the s20,000000 we paid
to SPAIN, without danger of anarchy or
despotlsm in the philippines and without
international complications. That policy
is simply to treat the Philippines as we
are pledged to treat Cuba. People faml-
lar with the inhabitants of both Islands
say that they are equally and alike
capable of government. under little
tutelage from Americans.
MIR. Bryan would not leave the Philip
pines without our soldiers for some time
to come, possibly. or until the native
government was working smoothly. was
able to maintain itself and maintain order
and security to life. business and property.
but the armed opposition to our temper
airy occupancy would at once cease and
we would begin to make fast friends OF
the Filipinos. We would perform a noble
act in the line OF our American constitu-
lions and beliefs and be able after awhile
to retire with prestige from an Asiatic
territory which we neither need nor want
Our pledges and our policies toward the
Cubans make our conduct In the Philip
pines all the more lnexcusable and dis
creditahle. Why free Cuba and subjugate
the Philippines as conquered province?