The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1899-05-13
GOVERNMENT
or the PHILIPPINES
Rule Of the Islands the Principal
Topic Of Discussion ID
Washington.
VIEWS OF VARIOUS PUBLIC MEN
One Thing Most Of Them Agree o.
IL That the Nlipinos Must BE
Thoroughly Whipped..-
Extra Session Talk.


form, of government for the Philip
pines is the principal topic in official
quarters here. The anti-expan-
sionists declare that anything
il better than q military form
of government, and even if the
commissioners do not contemplate ul-
innate independence for the Filipinos
1T will be more in keeping with our
institutions to control the archipelago
through u civil than a military govern
ment. Here are the views of q num-
Der Of public men concerning the form
of government for the Philippines:
Senator Wetmore, of Rhode Island:
II am opposed to making any conces-
sions to the Filipinos until they lay
down their arms and submit to our
jurisdiction. They IRE not capable OF
governing themselves, and they are
not to be trusted Mt the present time.
1t seems to me that every time they
are licked in n fight they talk about
making peace. Their pleas for peace
are not sincere, for while they are talk
ing about peace their forces are being
recruited and strengthened for an
other attack. l am therefore in favor
of giving them q good thrashing and
teaching them to respect our laws and
recognize II power. Now, whether
that can be accomplished under a
military or a civil form Of government
to the best advantage l am not pre-
pared to say. We must use force with
them until they learn from experience
how powerful we are"
Senator Elkins: "We must first give
those fellows a good licking and teach
thap, <n r.aerao$ <ha wv ny,A s1swrStu
of the United States government. /
am not prepared to say what form OF
government we should establish there
That must be determined by congress.
1t has been demonstrated that these
eayages are not capable of governing
themselves, and until they learn some
common sense / am in favor of ruling
them with the strong arm of the
United States. AS I understand it the
present plan is to utilize such natives
ps are enough advanced in our way of.
doing things in the formation of civil
and local municipalities. All of these
are to be under the supervision of a
supreme military power. Such a form
of government may turn out all right,
but for my part these people will first
have to be brought to u realization of
our power before they are entrusted
with our confidence or assistance"
Senator Chandler: II am willing to
trust the matter to the wise Judgment
of the president until congress can as
semble and agree upon some perma-
nent form OF government forsthe Phil
ippines. In the meantime I desire to
see the insincibility of American
arms and navy upheld all over the
world, and / do not believe the great
mass of the American people are in
sympathy with MI. Hoar and others,
who are continually crying out against
the policy that is being pursued by our
government in the Philippines.
Whether we shall have a military or a
civil form of government there is a
matter to be determined by congress.
Whether we shall permanently or tenn
porarily occupy these islands is a sub
ject for congress to consider.
ut has been demonstrated that the
Filipinos are not competent to govern
themselves according to our ideas of
what constitutes good government,
and until they have progressed to a
greater extent in the direction Of CIV
ilization I am in favor of ruling them
with force. I do not thirst for Filipino
blood, but / am less anxious to see the
blood of u American army poured
out upon those far away fields"
Senator Hawley: 1--WE will have to
maintain a military form of govern
ment there until until the Filipinos
r brought to a realization of our
strength. 1t is wise in my Judgment
to employ some of the well disposed
natives in the establishment Of the lo-
cal governments in those islands, but
l am not in favor of a general aban-
aonment of the control over those
Islands at present. 1t is clear that
force must be used to subdue them,
just as General Wood has done at San
tiago. / think General Wood has the
correct idea. OF how to govern that
class of people. Rigid discipline, well
seasoned with force that cannot be
mistaken. If we had fifty General
Woods out in the Philippines I believe
that we would bring those people to
fheir nse much quicker and teach
fhem to bow to the superior power Of
our government.
I'm view of the probable settlement
IF the Philippine question, l told the
president TINT l believed it would DO
wise for congress to be assembled in
Extra session so that the whole sub.
iect might be discussed before tho
middle of next year. which will be the
Ease if we wait until the ordinary data
'or the meeting of congress. 1t will
AXE until the middle Of January next
% organize the house, hence I am in
..avor of an extra session of congress-