The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1899-01-23
REPUBLICS MADE TO ORDER.

luton introduced by Senator Hoar
that one of the simplest things in the
world is TO create new nation, Re-
publican in form, composed of 8,000,-
900 or 100000 inhabitants of diff
ferent tribes occupying a group of
Pacific islands, near the Asiatic coast.
Other large tasks require study and
cautious preparation. This, in Sena-
tor Hoar's opinion, may be entered |
upon without the slightest delay or
doubt. His resolution declares that
the Philippines of right ought to be
free and independent; that they are
absolved from all connection with
Spain, and shave, therefore, full
power to do all acts and things which
independent states may of right do;
that it is their right to institute new
government for themselves, laying a
foundation on such principles and Or
ganizing its power in such form as to
them shall seem most likely to effect
their safety and happiness The
resolution pledges the United States
not to interfere with this formation
of new government, though it will
be noticed that there is a decided
American interference IN the first two
sentences. We decree the independ-
ence and dissolve the allegiance to
Spain; and further back are the
battles fought by our army and navy
at Manila. But now, if Senator Hoar's
plan is followed, we give the Filipino
leader nearest at hand carte blanche,
and retire.
Perhaps Senator Hoar is not aware
that educated man of long experience
with the Filipinos believes that they
are fit for self-government. All OBJ
servers on the ground agree on this
point. A marked diversity of race
as well as of interests exists on the ISL
ands. Around Manila the insurgents
are Tagals, born of Spanish or Chinese
fathers and native mothers. The
Visayans, of the central group of is
lands, are much nearer the native
type. On Mindanao are found the
Mohammedan Moors, warlike race
having nothing in common with the
northern islands, and never subdued
by Spain. Aguinaldo has no troops
except on the islands of Luzon,
Samar and Panay. His republic
would begin on three islands out of
1400, and even in these his authority
is not desired or acknowledged by a
majority of the inhabitants. Senator
Hoar refers to the Fillpinos as If they
were one people, capable of meeting
together to adopt a constitution and
set in order the functions of repub
lie. Nothing could be further from
the truth. The most that could be
done under the senator's resolution
would be to surrender the sovereignty
taken from Spain on the the battle
field into the hands of some loca
revolutionary chief trusting to his un
trained Malay craftsmanship for the
rest.
Another singularly weak point il
Mr.. Hoar's argument on the subjec
of the Philippines is his remarkable
exaggeration of what it would COS
this government to keep them. Hi
estimate is $15O,O0O.OO0 a year, anc
he dwelt upon the figures with all thu
skill of an alarmist. They are simply
ridiculous. A regular army of 100.
900 men would cost $82,00O,0O0 I
year. The cost of the entire nav,
this year is placed at $47,000,e00
We might charge against the Philip
pines the entire cost of the navy ant
greatly enlarged army and still fal
short of Mr.. Hoar's estimate. Th,
per capita cost of government in tn
United States is So. Mr.. Hoar as
serts that to govern the Filipino