The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1899-03-18
WAR, OF EX1IRMINAY ZION

Last year the American republic
engaged in what was then declared
"war for humanity" against Spain, to
prevent that nation from further tor
;ure of her colonists in Cuba. 1t met
with general approval not only at
home but abroad, for it was conceded
that a more just war never was waged.
But that war which vas so popular
with all liberty loving people. has
changed into one of conquest and ex-
tirmation. An exchange that is i'm
bued with a considerable amount OF
Imperialism, and Is presumably con-
versant with the plans of the admins
tration, concludes comment on the
progress of the war as follows:
"Otis will quickly break up Agui-
naldo's army, capture his main posi-
tions. and then the war will degener-
ate into the hunting down Of dispersed
Filipinos, just as We hunted down
Apaches Is years ago."
What have the Filipinos done that
they should be hunted like wild beasts?
That price should be put upon their
head? And what is there to justify war
we are waging against them? What
excuse can we make to the world for
whipping them into subjection? If
we would look back over the events
of the past year we could hardly ac-
knowledge that we today are not prac.
ticing IS much tyranny towards those
people as we're the Spaniards we oust.
ed.
When we took up the cause of Cuba
we found the Filipinos engaged in q
war with the mother country in which
national independence was the goal
they sought. Circumstances made it
necessary for the American squadron
to enter Manila bay and exterminate
the Spanish feet there, also to take
temporary control. Later, peace was
declared and we agreed with Spain
that for a consideration of $20. .OOO, 600
she should transfer her title (which
was none too good) of the Philippine
islands to the United States, and with
it the bondage in which she held the
Fllipinos.
We found the Filipinos in rebellion
against Spain; we bought Spain's
war against these people without
asking their consent. and have UNDER
taken to set up a dictatorship over
them, not even outlining to them the
form of government we proposed to
give them, or what rights and privil-
eges they might expect. It is blight
upon the fair name of liberty loving
America to propose to hunt these
people down like fugitives from justice.
And it is not to be wondered. at that
the Filipinos themselves revolt
against American domination under
such circumstances. Nor is it to be
wondered at that there are persons in
the United States who protest against
this war of determination.
It is q sence Of justice that has
caused such men as Ex-Governor Bou-
tell, of Massachusetts; ex-Sentor
Edmunds, of Vermont; Senator Cof-
ferry, of louisiana; David Starr Jordan,
president Of Stanford university: ex-
Secretary Carlisle and q score of other
prominent Americans to appeal to the
people of the United States in the
following preamble, in an attempt to
Induce the government to suspend
hostilities in the Philippines aud treat
the people thereof as If they were
human beings:
"First, that our goyevernment shall
take immediate steps toward suspen.
sion of hostilities in the Philippines
and conference with the Philippine
leaders with q view to preventing
further bloodshed upon the basis OF q
recognition of their freedom and inde-
pendence as soon as proper guarantees
can be had of order and protection of
property.
'tSecond, that the government of the
United States shall tender an official
to the Inhabitants of the
Philippine Islands that they will en-.
and assist in the organization
Of such government in the islands
ss the people thereof shall prefer, and
hat upon its organization in stable
manner the United States, in accord
.nce with its traditional and preceptiye
policy in such cases. will recognize the
Independence Of the Philippines and
ts equality among nations and gradu-
lily withdraw all naval and military
orcoe -