Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-18
GENERAL FUNSTON FOR PEACE
Fillpinos Abused and Deceived So
Long They Must He
Carefully.

CHICAGO, July IA special to the
Tribune from San francisco says:
Rounseville Wiidman, consul at Hong
Kong. during a visit to Manila, interviewed
Brigadier General Funston of the Twentieth
Kansas. General Funston is reported as
follows. referring to subjugation Of Philip
pines:
81 believe at present that there should
be a little less gunpowder and more diplo-
macy. Filipinos are no doubt impressed by
the former In a manner they will remember.
l think that we should consider them as
children and treat with them accordingly.
Grant them some concessions. which are
seemingly Of great Importance to them.
Give them some assurance and actual dem
onstration Of our good will and friendship
for them and their welfare, win them into
our confidence. 1t can be done. And in
such a way that never again will there be
rebellion against us in the island.
ITO win confidence Of people misgoverned
as these people have been under Spanish
regime, we must give them better govern
ment. A civil government should be es-
tablished at once, backed UP with strong
military not less than the strength of the
military forces now here. The military
should be independent and separate from
civil government, but standing ready to
carry into execution edicts and laws OF the
civil authorities, should 1t be necessary they
be called upon to do so.
'I believe the backbone in this insurrec-
ton ia broken; in fact, we have given the
insurgents such a sound whipping that with
any other people the insurrection would be
ended.
"If the Filipinos do not give UP by the
end Of the rainy season l am in favor OF the
government bringing 100, 900 men here and
make short work Of ending any further re-
sistance. Though I believe a little diplo-
macy at this time would go a long way
toward settling the trouble and bringing
peace and consequent prosperity to these
unfortunate Islands.
Strange as it may seem, l am almost "a
peace at any price man. When life and
property can be saved 1t is almost crime not
to follow that rule. whatever circumstances
be arguing against it. 1 am a republican,
but I am an nti-expansionist, though not a
bitter one-more Of a mild one. I think the
acquisition of Porto Rico and other islands
In tine West Indies will be valuable in the
future development Of our country. I think
we'll of the acquisition of the Sandwich
islands. I believe they make good outposts,
but when we consider the Philippines l be-
lieve it to be a mistake.
DS ohu - -
greatly benefited by the retention of these
islands, but outside of a few exceptional
individual cases I can see no advantage in
their possession by the United States. The
islands are SO thickly populated and labor
co cheap there certainly is no inducement
for the American laborer.
There will probably be large sugar, hemp,
rice and tobacco plantations. which will
greatly increase the extent OF exports, but
with all these is the underlying feeling that
is irrepressible to a soldier who has fought
over any territory, foot by foot, and resists
! the thought of ever giving it up and hauling
down his flag. / have fought in Cuba for
independence Of Cubans. but somehow /
want to see Cuba part Of America.
II am pleased with the Philippine country.
1t is fertile, and the further we have adj
vanced into the interior the more beautiful
and productive has appeared the land. The
soil is rich and capable of the best produc-
tions. 1 have no doubt there are valleys
among the mountains that are the richest
possibilities in the world.
while the country over which we passed
(as far as San Fernandez is already under
cultivation, yet with modern implements
and ideas of farming the country could be
made to produce in excess Of what 1t does
now, both in quality and quantity Of it's
present Yield"
How would you compare the Cubans, gen
eral, with the Filipinos?"
well, they are altogether different people,
though somewhat similar in physique.
Cubans are quite superior to Filipinos; they
are a Drawer and more capable people. You
see, the better class Of Cubans have a higher
order Of intelligence than the best class
here. 1t Is a little unfair to Cubans to make
cOmDarisonp