The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-23
A FAIR OFFER.

Aside from the constitutional question
as to the right of congress to provide
for the establishment of any form Of
government In any possession Of the Unit
ed States which does not conform to and
involve the ultimate establishment of
the territorial form provided by our polit-
ical institutions, it may be said that the
offer made by the Philippine commission
to the natives now in arms embodies an
entirely just and reasonable proposal. The
further continuance of bloodshed should
be avoided by the United States at all
reasonable cost. The spectacle of this
people engaged in the subjugation of any
race whatever is one which none but
the most rampant imperialist can regard
without feelings CT the .profoundest re-
gret. Both on behalf Of the Fflipinos
and for the honor Of our own institutions
it is incumbent on us to bring the present
intolerable conditions in the Philippines
to close.
The followers Of Aguinaldo have, nat
urally enough, been unable to distinguish
between the control Of the Spanish and Of
race hitherto unknown to them which
appears to have adopted the same line
OF treatment as that pursued by the
untitled for the control Of their own con-
Germs, it is beyond dispute that they have
struggled as patriots have struggled in
every land sought to be brought under
foreign subsection for what they regard
as their liberties. That their conduct has
been worse than fooIhardy goes without
saying; that they have subjected them
selves to danger and distress almost
needlessly is evident 10 all the world be-
sides themselves. But they are none the
less entitled to such treatment as a civ
llzed and enlightened race should be-
stow upon those who, believing them
selves wronged in their national rights.
have resented the wrong as brave men
are wont to do.
No sensible American has ever conceiv-
ed the idea that, once we entered on the
work Of enforcing peace, whether such
action was made necessary nv tho 1ao,.
OF tact OF our own representatives or
by the unreasoning folly Of the natives.
we should stay our hands until the au-
thority Of the United States was fjlIv
recognized. The offer of the peace COM
mission is one which the F'ilipinos can
ON no grounds be justified in refusing
Their rejection of 1t must be followed
perforce by the long-contfnued military
occupation Of the islands by the United
States. 1t represents as ample a conces-
sion of popular government as any knowl-
edge we possess of the Filipino fitness for
seif-goVernment warrants being offered
them. 1t comes. moreover, at a time
when, If the purpose of this nation could
De regarded by any people, however
limited in intelligence, as one Of conouest
pure and simple, it would be folly To offar
IT, we nave the game in our own hands.
ana any other nation playing 1t would.
rather than make such an offer go on
10 the end and enforce such reprisa1s
against those in arms as would strike ter
ror to their hearts
Unless this proposal is accepted there
can be no hesitation on the part of any
Oh our people In declaring that our dutv
10 ourselves Is to bring all the resources
of the country, If necessary. to bear and
put speedy end to the prevailing war
fare. In such an event it will be TINA
enough to consider any other phase Of
the problem when the followers of the
insurgent chief are dispersed.