Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-06-02
WILL BACK DOWN.
THIS IS THE OPINION OF CLOSE
OBSERVERS.

The SubiuSation OF the Fipinos Not So
Easy a Task as was Anticipated Liberal
Promises Now Made for Recognition Of tn.
Sovereignty Of the United States--lmperial.
ism, it is Evident. is in Hard Luck.
National watchman.
The public may prepare to see the
President of the United States turn a
double back-action somersault and
swallow his imperial policy before
many moons. The President is can
didate for denomination and re-elec-
ton at the hands OF his party. This
will cause him to keep close watch
on the trend of public opinion. He
already realizes that he will have his
hands full explaining Algerism, apollo
gizing for high taxes and treasury de-
ficits, and defending trusts, without
waging an unpopular war of conquest
in the Philippines or elsewhere.
Therefore we may look for such a
change Of policy as will make it ap-
pear that he has conceded self.govern-
ment to the Filipinos, for it is certain
that he is now straining every point
to bring about cessation of hostili.
ties, and that his agents are making
honeyed promises to the representa-
tives OF the Aguinaldo government.
In fact the President recognizes the
existence of a great political emer-
gency and is bending his efforts to
cover retreat in order to placate the
already overwhelming and growing
sentiment in this country against an
imperial policy.
Imperialism is in hard luck. The
President realizes the situation and
does not care to be sacrificed If he
can help it. That the design and in
tent was forcible subjugation, conquest
and imperialism is proven by every
move thus far made. The rash man
ner in which our volunteers have been
hurled against the enemy and over
worked under the cry of war to the
death or unconditional surrender, was
the last desperate stand to make sue
cessful the movement for imperialism
before public opinion asserts itself and
compels change of policy. The lat
est dispatches inform us that it is the
Presidents order to his commissioners
that liberal terms be proffered to Agui-
naldo and his followers, going so far as
outlining a form of an autonomous
government and defining the meth
DDS of its administration on the ground
that hostilities be brought to an end
and the sovereignty of the United
States recognized. Therefore, it is
plain that the President realizes that
the imperialistic programme is doomed.
at least for the present.
The people authorized war to put
an end to the barbarities Of Spain ON the
island of Cuba. 1t was war of hu.
manity. The accidents of this war
were seized upon by those who want
to rear large military establishment
in the United States and erect mill
tary power to displace the rule OF the
people. But the refusal OF Congress
to provide a large permanent army
broke the back of the imperial pro-
gramme they had outlined. The peo-
pie must bear in mind that next year
they will be afforded an opportunity
to order just such policy as they
want, and that the time between now
and the election of next year should be
devoted to the work of self.education,
preparatory for the responsibilities of
the all-important election that is so
rapidly approaching. They must not
lose sight of the fact that the great
struggle is against the confederated
money power and trusts, who are
seeking the means to overthrow our
popular government and establish a
plutocracy. The time to call halt is
now, or it may be too late. The peo-
pie should realize the danger of giving
the confederated monopolies another
four years lease of power, and thus
strengthen the combination, while the
people are being discouraged and dis
heartened. The time is now ripe for
all loyal Americans to put forth their
utmost endeavor to educate their
neighbors and friends to make sure of
a peoples victory in the coming ma
tional election.
Our Country's Seal Unfinished.