The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-01-14
THE ADMINISTRATION POLICY.

From the remarks of Senator For
aker made IN his speech upon the ques-
ton OF the control Of the Philippines,
as raised by the Vest resolutions, and
from the advices regarding the ap-
proved lecture of Professor Magill, it
is reasonably to be assumed that the
policy CT the President regarding Phil
ippine control is no longer reserved.
Mr.. Foraker is supposed to know the
personal opinions Of the President on
the subject. Professor Magill submit
ted a lecture he had prepared on the
question to the President. who made
some slight changes in it and then COM
mended its line of thought. Besides
this, he had a half hour conversation
with the President, who spoke to him
freely concerning Philippine policy.
From these two sources of informa-
ton, therefore, it is gathered that the
President does not contemplate perma-
nent holding Of the Philippines, but,
rather. that the islands shall be treated
very much after the line of policy
adopted for Cuba. The thought derived
from the two sources referred to Is,
that the Administration holds that to
surrender the Philippines would be to
make them prey to the greed of Pow
ers seeking desirable footholds in Ash
attic waters. To give them over now
freely to the natives would be 70 con-
sent to the installment Of anarchy.
That having asserted our power, and
having succeeded to Spanish title and
having the acknowledgment Of all ma
lions that such succession is legitimate,
it is our duty to hold the islands, not
as conquested territory, but for the pur-
poses Of establishing for the inhabitants
thereof permanent, wise and liberal
form of government, and that when
that is done We can and should COM
nit control to them.
That at present these people are in
capable Of self government, despite
their observation that they are free
and independent and are capable OF in
stituting a safe and stable government
and of maintaining order, promoting
prosperity and treating with nations.
The fact is that they are incapable by
reason of education, experience and lack
Of contact with the better civilization
of the age. We are, therefore, morally
bound to look to the interests Of these
people after having now dispossessed
the Spanish, and removed the only form
of government with which they have
had experimental contact That :s to
say, according to Professor Magill, we
viii exercise a protectorate Of a nature
that will prevent other nations from
interfering with our task or experiment,
and that will eliminate the anti-expan-
sion sentiment from home politics.
Assuming this to be the policy favor
cd by the Administration it robs the
hysterical anti-expansionists of their
ammunition; it will probably lead to
establishment of such commercial re-
lations with the Philippines as we de-
sire, without absolutely and permanent
ly holding them as property, and will,
likewise, enable us to acquire by adj
justment with the Philippine Govern
ment when II is finally established such
naval stations and ports of refuge as
we need. In short, that by this method
we will secure all the benefits possible
by actual ownership, and at the same
time give to the Filipinos home rule
and the measure of independence they
are capable Of appreciating and defend
ing as rapidly and fully as is wise or
possible.