The record-union., 1899-03-23
A MOST SIGNIFICANT LETTER.


anything but an Administration sup
porter. It is anti-expansionist to the
hilt 1t has columns of local hysterical
correspondence daily weeping over the
woes of the Aguinaldoites. But it has
q correspondent in Manila who tells of
things as they are. In recent letter
dispatched before the insurgent attack
upon our troops this correspondent
makes it clear that the only possible
thing in the Philippines is American
control for the present at least.
There Is not One of the anti-expan-
sionist suggestions it is made clear,
that could possibly be adopted and
made.appicable to the situation. Every
one of them short of complete control
by the United States would mean, as
the New York Tribune concisely puts
1t, "chaos and ruin, ending sooner or
later in control by European Powers.
That was the alternative which pre-
scented itself to the negotiators at
Paris"
The POSTS" correspondent says that
the opinion Of the best informed men in
Manila is that the end of any insurgent
government must be chaos, owing to the
disintegrating influence of the brigand-
age instinct of the race, and then he
adds-and be 1t noted he is a trusted
regular correspondent Of the anti-ex-
pansionist Post" one in whom it re-
poses perfect trust:
The people of the United States must
make up their minds either to fight for
these islands or to give them up. A
protectorate is at present out of the
question, at least such a protectorate
as the native demands. His ideas are
vague, but what he really means is
the Philippine Islands for the Filipinos.
This ideal is all very well in theory,
and no doubt will inspire the people to
make a strong fight: but it is impossi-
bic for the United States to hold them
selves responsible for the acts Of half
wild peoples, who will undoubtedly soon
return to their internal feuds
How the people who are shouting for
us to get out of the islands" are to
answer that we cannot say. Being on
this side of the water, seven thousand
miles away, perhaps they know better
than the men on the ground It sounds
loud, and very human also, to talk of
lovers Of liberty" and interference
with a people struggling for freedom
from Oppression" But who in the
name of reason is depressing them?
What have we done? Have we laid on
taxes? Have we re-established the
Spanish torture chamber? Have we
put on license fee for entering a vii
lage or for going out from it to work
the rice fields, as the Spanish did? Is
there tax on every wheel that turns?
Is there imprisonment in tide-filling
dungeons? Is there collected any fee
for dying and another for marrying?
Have we said to the Filipino,
You must grow a tree and pay
a tax upon it before the seed splits in
the earth?" Have We put them under
priestly domination? Have we done
anything to them whatever except to
treat them as human beings, kindly and
well?
The correspondent says that the Fill
pinos talk considerably about their
wish to be recognized as a power, al ma
ton. and that the recognition should
come from the United States. with
guarantees of force sufficient to back
1t up. In other words, these Malays
iob 10 Ia 81,
fight the world to keep them so, and to
take their word for it that they are
capable of establishing a free and in
dependent government which we are to
defend for them The letter writer
goes on to tell Of an interview held be-
tween two committees, one of Ameri-
can officers and the other composed of
leading FIlipinos sent to confer:
Has any foreign Power recognized
your government" asked Colonel
Crowder.
mo" 1888
Have you been recognized even as
belligerents?"
NO"
Then the United States and Spain
Yes"
Then the United States is responsible
to other nations for these islands?"
Yes"
If we should leave what would hap
pen to your
The Philippine committee held up
their hands in dismay. do not leave
US, for other Powers would come in and
take possession of the islands"
Then, If our remaining here is a
benefit, why do you insist on making
trouble?"
The people are beyond control
The POSTS" trusted correspondent
then proceeded to add that he really
believed leaders of the Filipinos in their
folly and vanity had excited the people
until they had lost control of them, and
that he feared fight would be newt
able unless the Americans yielded to
the insurgents demands. But even
then, he adds, the, fight will only be de-
ferred. Three days after that writing
the battle in front of Manila was fought
with the insurgents. The correspondent
likewise told the Post" that the Fill
pinos were separating and taking to
the hills to avoid their own tax col
1ectors, and that they murdered their
own officers sent out to govern them.
The New York Tribune" well remarks:
This does not suggest q people deter