The record-union., 1899-05-25
AN UNWIsE POLICY.
youth?

r Inc "RecOrd- MON chooses 10 DC VI
those who believe that Philippine Com
missioner Schurman at Manila has
made a grievous mistake, and that Ii
he is backed by the Administration,
that influence has committed an almost
irreparable blunder, namely, in statlng
to the so-called Filipino Commissioners
terms upon which they and their fol-
lowers will be permitted to foul the
air with their insolence if the insur-
gents will surrender. General Otis Is
right when he insists upon but one re-
fers to capitulate. Unconditional sur
render he wishes to be made the only
answer But the commission under the
influence of President Schurman an
nounces that it is in favor Of "concilia-
tion." Accordingly it has gone so far
as to state a great variety of matters
and things upon which the Filipinos
can rely, if only they will be SO oblig-
ing as to lay down their arms and
cease fighting.
What is the result? The contemptu-
days authoritative dispatches, through
the mouths of the gaudily decorated
Commissioners, that they cannot ac-
cept the terms. They want and will
get better ones. They are not satisfied
exactly with the school system prom
ised; they wish further assurance as
to the personal liberty of the people;
they would like some sort of bond or
security to insure them against Con-
gress proving untrue to the pledges
now given; and then, the Americans
would have everything their own way,
exclaims the commission, and all our
rights would depend upon American
good WILL and they add that the state
ments and promises of the Americans
are too general; golden promises they
are, but-in short we place no trust in
them Having filed our bellies with
the fat Of the land, inspected your
arsenals and armies, visited your war
ships, seen our friends and spies in
Manila, and fixed things about as we
wish them, we return to the firing line
to resume hostilities.
In simple truth, that is the long and
man policy of conciliation. Truth is,
we have taken step backward in
this whole matter; the insurgents have
gained valuable time and an insight
into things of which they should have
been permitted no knowledge. Though
the rebels should presently surrender,
these generalizations of President
Schurman will remain for years to
plague US, to be misconstrued, misin-
terpreted and sources. of annoyance
and trouble.
The cunning Malays have tricked US,
played US for asses, and go back to
their lines laughing in their sleeves
over the stupidity of Americans, who.
having it in their power to demand
and insist upon instant surrender Of
the enemy, paused to parley with him,
and beg him to consider how much it
will be to his advantage to lower his
colors. General Otis is right The one
and only way to treat with Aguinaldo,
Luna and all the rest is with powder
and ball until they Internationally sur
render, trusting to our mercy and re-
specting our ability to enforce our just
demands.
Victorious arms these insurgents will
respect, but palaver, promise and chat
ter they have no regard for. Admiral
Dewey was right when he said on his
arrival in Hongkong: THE end is not
far off if we push right after them.
We must concentrate our troops and
prosecute the campaign in Luzon. THAT
| is our whole task The southern ISL
ands will quickly fall into line''