The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-09-09
rRE AMEhIoAN POLICY

THE AMERICAN POLICY.
When Admiral Dewey was at Naples,
SAYS the Atlanta Constitution, the
correspondent Of the London Daily
News, employing the good Offices OF
Mr.. Iddings, the first secretary OF the
American embassy at Rome, was ac-
corded the rare privilege of holding
an interview with the admiral, the
clear understanding being that the
conversation, or the main part OF 1t,
was to be written out for publication.
This program was followed The ad-
miral talked in a strain at once modest
and interesting, and delivered his
views In matters that have grown to
be Of the greatest concern 10 the
people Of this country. The report OF
his conversation was 'cabled to the
United States on the 2lst OF August,
the date on which it appeared in the
Daily News; and, though that journal
has since vouched for its correspondent
as man entirely trustworthy, the
Republican organs have not referred
TO the matter. The most of them,
indeed, refused to print the cable dis
patch summarizing the conversation,
The most interesting part Of II was
the great admiral's reference to the
Philippine question. He was asked II
he thought the islands were likely 10
be pacified soon. The reply he made
we commend to all who have criticised
Mr.. Bryan's utterances on the subject,
or who have objected to the utteranees
of those Democrats who oppose the
Republican policy so far as it has been
outlined. Admiral Dewey said
81 have the question of the Philip
pines more at heart than any other
American, because / know the Fiji
pinos intimately, and they know that
l am their friend. The recent insur.
reetion is the fruit Of the anarchy
which has so long reigned in the
island. The insurgents will have to
submit themselves TO law after being
accustomed TO no law at all. / believe
and affirm, nevertheless, that the
Philippine question will be very
shortly solved The Filipinos are
capable Of governing themselves.
They have all the qualifications for IT,.
1t is = question OF time, but the only
way to settle the insurrection and TO
assure the prosperity Of the archipel-
ago is to eoncede self government 10
the Inhabitants. That would be the
solution of many problems, and would
satisfy all, especially the Filipinos
who believe themselves worthy of IT,
and are So"
"Self government in the Philippines
has. however, not many partissns in
America" | remarked.
81 have never been in favor OF vio-
lence toward the Filipinos," replied OF
rather continued the admiral "ThC
islands are at this moment blockaded
by feet, and war reigns in the inte.
rior This abnormal state OF things
should cease. / should like TO see au.
tonomy first conceded, and then an
nexation might be talked about. This
is my opinion, and l should like TO see
violence at once put stop TO. Ac.
cording TO me, the concession Of sell
government ought 10 be the most Just
and most logical conclusion"
The admiral spoke with an air Of
frank CONVICTION.
Now, here is veryIclear ststement
by a man who knows what he is talk,
ing about, who is familiar with every
phase OF the troubles In the Philip
pine islands, and whose conclusions
will not be disputed by any person
who is at once sensible and impartial,
Our great admiral the only man prom,
inent in the recent war, OF whom II
may be said that he has made no mis-,
take Of judgment or administration
from first 10 last, has outlined in the
elearest manner the Democratic pol
Icy. He is a Republican, but he i,
also an American with large views
and the Democratic policy, as it ha.
been outlined by leaders and publicist.
who represent the best and most con.
servative thought OF the party, Il
precisely that which Admiral Dewe,
sets forth.
]. The FilipinoA will hsVe to sub
NIT to lew. The insuFrection sgains
the Americans is the Eesult oe thei
environment.
2. The only way to solve the prob
lem Of the insurreetion Aad to assur,
.he prosperity OF the archipelago is I,
eoncede self government to the inhAb
itaat. This, as Admiral Dewey sug
Sests, end rs Democrats have alread,
suggested, would not only settle the in
eurrecAon, but many other question
besides. For instance, II would max,
our occupation Of and operations in tn,
Philippines definitely Americas. It'll
She only policy that is in aeeordsnc,
with our flag and institutions; il il th,
only policy that would correctly REQ
resent the nature, character anG pur-
pose OF the reszbiie. To carry oui
this purpose the war was begun e
rescue the Cubans from oppression
and tyranny, and the end of il. so fAl
~ Spain 10 concerned, was 10 reseu.