The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1899-08-12
What an English Newspaper
Thinks Of Our War.

thinks OF Onr war.
Prom the Hong Kong Telegraph.
There can be no possible room for
doubt THAT the Americans will ulti-
mately gain the day in the Philippines,
but the present attitude Of the Filipinos
leads one to believe that 1t will be
gained by a wal Of determination.
And the question naturally arises as to
whether the establishment OF American
rule throughout the islands is worth
such an extensive wal and also whether
the ends to be gained would Justify
the means.
The United States, we are told, are
now buslly bringing the blessings Of a
free and republican government 10 the
Filipinos. At least that is supposed TO
be the eason for subduing the Phil
ippines. But the Filipinos apparently
do not want to be liberated any more
than they have been, and are quite
ready and willing to look after them.
selves and to dispense with the aid OF
the United States except as a protect
ing power.
If all the Americans aim at is the
establishment Of an independent gov
eminent under the protection of the
United States, it does not appear to Us
that it Is worth while to waste such o
large amount Of money and such
hundreds Of lives in fighting the people
whom they are apparently so anxious
to befriend.
1t would be far cheaper, and we
believe far more satisfactory to a large
proportion Of the people Of the United
States, were honorable terms arranged
with the Filipinos, and this war, which
can certainly bring no glory to the
American nation, brought to a salts.
factory close.
As we have frequently pointed out.
the whole blame for the present silua.
ton in the Philippines is ATTRIBUTABLE,
to the total lack Of policy displayed by
the Americans from the first. They
did not know their own minds, anC
allowed the FilipiDOs 10 see this plain.
ly. What wonder then that they shoulC
mlstrust them now?
First, Aguinaldo was 10 be treated a
a trusted ally Of the Americans, and b,
was so treated. Then arrived th,
American troops, and the Filipino.
were ignored. Next the Filipinos werI
not offered any opportunity OF ex
pressing their views on the future O
their country prior to the ratification O
the peace treaty with Spain, and al
that followed we are only too wei
aware.
The Americans have all along max,
the mistake of locking upon the FIJI
ipinos as savages, and treating them a
such, and now il is too late 10 men,
matters.
! AT the commencement Of the Span
ish-American wal the Americana ba,
the trust and respect Of the F~ilipinos
and a very small modicum Of consId
Grafton and diplomacy would bay
enabled them to have retained tbos
friendly feelings and 10 have beeI
today in peaceful occupation of tn
country.
1t must not be thought that we ar
antagonistic TO the American cause
such is not the case; but we are sorr
to see that instead OF the Filipino
being introduced TO the benefits O
peace and a just aud civilized form O
government, they are now likely to b,
cursed by a war Of determination. an,
all on account Of the bungling an,
mismanagement Of certain officials O
the United States.
Had matters been left In the hand
OF Admiral Dewey we do not for
moment believe that things woul,
have come to sach a pass. But wbeI
matters are dealt with by consuls, an,
diplomRtlsts who are far from IN.
scene of action and have no knowledg
) Of the country or people 10 be deal
with, then disaster Is only too fire.
quently the result, as affairs IN In
Philippines have shown.