Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-07-20

insurgents; and they have fought with
splendid spirit ard efficiency from first TO
latest.
But we have never been able to SEQ why
our occupancy Of Manila bay and the city
of Manila necessarily committed MS to the
forciblc annexation o fthe Philippine arch
lipeago. Undeniably the success OF our
arms brought TO us new duties and re-
sponsiblites in that quarter. But there
are different ways of fulfilling duties. To
create a desert 10 not always the best way
of restoring quiet. determination is not
the best method of civilization. Fire and
sword may overawe but cannot win the
affection of any people. The Christianity
which is shot from the mouths of cannon
is not precisely the kind that was taught
by Christ. We are told every day that cur
armed occupancy OF the Philippines was
and Is the only alternative to anarchy
there. 1t is easy to say this--not so easy
To prove it. There is good expansionst
testimony to the contrary-such for in
stance as the following;
| He (Aguin1ldo) has organized govern
ment which has practically been admins
tering the affairs of that great island since
the American occupation of Manila, and
which is certainly better than the former
administration; he has a properly formed
cabinet and Congress, the members of
which in appearance and manners would
compare favorably with Japanese states
men.-Ex Minister Barrett.
He Aguinaldo) has de life and prop
crty safe, preserved order. and tpcour-
aged a continuation of agricultural and
Industrial pursuits. He has made lrgand-
age and Loot impossible, respected private
propcrty, forbidden excess either In re-
venge or in the name of the State. and
made a woman's honor safer in Luzon
than it has been in three hundred years.
Consul Wildmln.
Our own candid belief, in the light Of all
the facts of the case that have been given
TO the public, is that it was by no means
necessary to overthrow the Aguinaldo gov
eminent: that assurances such as we gave
to the Cuban insurgents that our presence
here did not mean criminal aggression
or forcble subjugation, but only protection
against foreign aggression and assistance
in organizing a government of their own
choice. If given at the proper time TO the
Philippine leaders. would have prevented
| the Philippine war which is now upon our
hands. We believe that a peaceable solu'
ton of the problem was possible, and tina,
1t would have been vastly better for us, as
we'll as for the F'ilipinos. We still believe
: as we have often said that every good re-
suit to our commerce, to our national pres
tge and to the elevation and welfare OF
the natives. that can possibly result from
forcibe subjuglton of those people could
he better secured by occupancy of nava
station perhaps by making MTmHl az
American port, as Hong Kong is an Eng.
lish portland by permitting and encour-
aging the i'ilipinos to establish their in
, dependence, undec American protection
as we are dong with the Cubans.
The Philippine war is upon us, and Il
will go on. The administrator has ne
r thought of backing out and majority oi
the people of the United States appear &c
be inclined TO stand by the President
, They will furnish the men and means t:
l carry on the war for another year. II dur
ing that time the insurgents in the ISLAM
of Luzon are overcome, and lay dowr
their arms, Congress and the people vii
= acquiesce in the policy that has been pur
sued by our powers that he, and Will ad
! dress themselves cheerfully to the prob
. lens still facing us in that quarter If Thu
results of the waC continue indie oisiv'
, through another active campaign and tn
thing seems TO be settling down into pro
9 longed guerilla warfare and struggle
= against disease, a strong revusion of pop
Mar feeling will be likely to take place
and the demand for a change of our polio,
in the Philippines may become overpower
ing.
In the meantime the patriotic citizen will
= await the outcome of events and the or
, dcrngs of Providence, and endcavor t.
form wise and candid judgment as t
t the duty of the nation, of which he is
component part.