Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-17
THE PHILIPPINE PROBLEM
Views of Rev. Clay Maccauley on the situa-
ton There.
Senate's Delay as to Treaty Helps "a
Complicnte MRtters-In~urgents
still Insolent.

The New York Herald's correspondent
at Hong Kong sends the following under
date of yesterday:
The Rev Clay MacCauley professor of
theology at Toxic. who recently arrived
from the Philippines. says that as the re-
suit of his study of the situation at Manila
he thinks now there are only three ways
open for the United StGtes to solve the
Philippine problem
The first is annexation by force OF pur-
chase. To use force means the most disas-
trous foreign war in American history. en-
failing great loss of life and expenditure of
money. Moreover. it would be a violation
of national honor
Purchase means the recognition of the In
surSents as allies of the United States dur
ing the war with Spain; rewardng the Fill
ipino leaders with officers salaries. employ
ment of the insurgents in military and civil
offices and also giving them back pay as al
lies Tor some months. Such a purchase
would secure compromising gain of
doubtful tenure. The Americans in Manila
are generally opposed 20 annexation in any
form.
The second solution is a complete trans
fer of sovereignty from Spain to a Filipinos
republic and the retention by the United
States for her own use of Manila bay and
port just Hong Kong is kept by Great
Britain. This solution means the exposure
of the powers. with a consequent acute
crisis in Europe over far eastern questions.
This way is neither honorable nor wise.
Autonomy and PrOtectorate.
The third possible solution is autonomy
under an American protectorate. This
means an independent Filipino republic,
controlling the administration of internal
affairs. the United States taking charge OF
the supreme Judiciary and foreign relations,
such as the power of making war or trea-
ties while having control of the customs
This solution. Mr.. MacCauley thinks. might
bring about a tutelage, which would result
in the future absolute independence of the
islands or voluntary annexation to the
United States.
The third way only he says. means peace
and prosperity. both to the United States
ard the Philippines. In any case, imme-
date action is imperative.
l submitted these remarks to a leading
member of the Filipino directorate at Hong
Kong. He declared readily and emphati-
cally that the Filipinos would refuse abso-
lutely to hand over the customs. There
would be no objection to paying the cost of
maintaining a naval squadron in the Phil
ippine waters. In the same way the Brit
ish colonies contribute toward the imperial
defense.
Senate's Delay Damages Our Prestige.
A cablegram to the same paper from Ma
Mia says: The delay of the Senate in ar
irving at a decision upon the peace treaty
is damaging American prestige here. Two
thirds of the popu' ation would gladly sup
port American rule, but dare not oppose
Aguinaldo, who is backed by the army. The
better class of Fflipinos and the working
classes fully understand that any form OF
purely native government would constitute
a reign of terror.
The Americans must demonstrate pract-
cally to the natives that Aguinaldo's army
is a useless rabble. compared to the organ
lied American troops.
1t is reported that a committee of infiu-
entail natives from Iloilo are imploring
Agunaldo's consent to the Americans occu-
plying that town, in the fear that otherwise
hill tribes. who form part of the insurgent
army, will loot and burn the city.
All is quiet in Manila.
Situation Still Acute.
The latest advices, dated January II,
state that the situation in the Philippines
is still acute. Aguinaldo is holding his
force in check with difficulty and natives
have been arrested for smuggling arms into
the walled city. On one occasion a coffin
was found full of arms, and on another six
Mauser rifles and a stock Of ammunition
We're discovered hidden in load Of straw.
The natives residing in the city predicted
an attack on Mania Sunday, the 18th. but
the foreigners maintain that there will be
no attack if the Americans do not precipi-
tate one.
The position of the Americans is very an
pleasant. Their Spanish prisoners are UNI
friendly, and the hostile natives are nu-
merous and well armed, both inside and
outside of Manila.
In Iloilo the situation remains the same,
except that the natives are intrenching
themselves. They have blocked the river
by sinking barges laden with stones.
The native troops outside of Manila are
most insolent and IL Is hard work to re-
strain the Americans The Filipino SOL
diery come out to their lines, close up to
the American outposts, load their rifles,
deliberately point them at the American
soldiers and then derisively walk back 10
their own lines. Under such conditions
there might be fight at any moment.