The San Francisco call., 1899-05-09
LONG OUTLINES THE
PHILIPPINE POLICY

BOSTON, May S.-Hon. John D. Long,
Secretary of the Navy, has written a
letter which appears in the Christian
Register this week. The editor, in his
private capacity as an American citi-
zen, wrote a letter to Secretary Long,
in which he tried plainly to report pub
lie opinion, the drift of parties and
some political consequences which
within the next year were likely to fol-
low current events and embarrass the
administration Longs reply defends
the administration and seemingly out
lines the policy to be pursued in the
Philippines In fact, there is strong
ground for the belief that it was writ
ten with the intent. The letter follows
have no doubt the state of public feel
ing to which you refer exists to some eX-
tent, but the tide always ebbs and flows.
You remember II was so during the Civil
War; and l should say, from memory
and from reading, there is nothing like
the falling off from President Mckinley
there was at one time from President Lin
coin. While there is truth in what you
say, there is a great deal which you have
left unsaid on the other side | do not
think the matter ought to be approached
exclusively from point of welfare of
the Republican party, of which you make
so much account.
Neither is 1t question Of personal pop
ularity of the President or administra-
ton. 1t is a question Of right If you
or those to whom you refer would only
read the Presidents dispatches, messages
and instructions, you would see at once
he is not weakly leading us to disaster,
but is meeting the situation in exactly
the spirit in which you would have him.
AS for any ambition to be the first great
American expansionist he is so far from
ambition of that sort the suggestion
seems like a joke Nor is there the least
intention of subjugating the Philippines;
all his military efforts are directed solely
10 the preservation of law and order
there. And If the Filipinos would CO.
operate in this respect he and the Peace
Commission which he has sent to them
would enter at once upon the work Of
their political regeneration, with a view
TO giving them all the privileges which
Territories Of the United States between
the Pacific and Atlantic now enjoy
I wish you, or some leader of public
opinion like yourself. could come 10
Washington and go over. as / should be
glad to aid you in doing all the instruc-
tons to our people at Manila, which en-
body the action Of the President and then
whether 1t resulted in your approval or
criticism, frankly develop your views and
communicate them to the public. | claim
YOU would find record that for humane
and helpful direction and dealing is un-
paralleled in political history. With these
Filpinos now on our hands great trust
and responsibility are upon us for their
condition and future. can hardly doubt
you feel we should first of all things-and
that is the Presidents policy, although
you suggest he has none-restore them to
a condition Of law and order. That is the
first step, one evidently that needs all our
energy and help and influence of all true
men. That is itself great labor, and ]
earnestly believe If the whole country
would unite in securing this first step
and If those who are doing all they can to
embarrass the President in efforts to take
IT would help him in that respect 1t
would be the best and most patriotic thing
that can be done. After that the step to