The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-16
THE M,ENERY REsOLUTION.

THE M'ENERY RESOLUTION.
Did the Senate think the McEnery res
olution would determine the policy OF the
government in respect to the Philippines?
II would seem so from the length Of time
it took to pass it and the number of
speeches made upon t. AS a matter Of
fact, the resolution determines nothing. 1t
is simply an expression OF opinion by
number of very estimable gentlemen.
Even II the House should pass a similar
resolution, or even the identical resolution
The Senate passed nothing in respect to
The governments Philippine policy would
be settled The McEnery resolution ia
not binding upon the Senate of the next
Congress. It is not binding upon the next
Congress or the President.
There is one effect it may have which
it is this 1t may influence the public
mind 50 strongly that there will be ex-
pressions Of public sentiment in all parts
of the country which will powerfully in
fuence Congress and the President 10
adopt a policy having for its object an
Independent government for the Filipinos.
But there is nothing to show that such
is not now the purpose of the govern
ment. 1t is noticeable that all the Demo-
Gratis and pretty nearly all of the Republi-
cans of prominence that have spoken on
the subject have said. either directly or
indirectly, that there is no other purpose
than to let the Filipinos have their own
government just as soon as it is apparent
that they are qualified to carry on a gov
eminent of their own.
But such resolutions as the McEnery
resolution settle nothing. A resolution OF
Congress signed by the President would
have che force of a law, and such a reso-
luton, embodying a definite statement Of
our intentions respecting the Philippines,
would be accepted by our own people and
by the Filpinos as our Philippine policy
It Is not probable, however, that any such
resolution will be passed a this time. 1t
may not be passed even by the next Con-
gtess. If it should not 1t is certain that
the Philippine question would become the
leading issue in the next national cam
paign.
It cannot be determined yet whether
NlAC INephbAlOdAlS are dAlAIOhb lOI SUN an
issue or not. The administration may
have reasons for not wanting a policy In
respect to the Philippines declared at the
present time. One of the reasons may be
the belief that a declaration of a policy
TO give the Filipinos their independence at
some future time would be interpreted by
the Filipinos to mean that we have enough
of war and that If they persist a little
longer in their efforts to drive US from
the islands they will be successful.
Aguinaldo and those who are acting with
him do not want 90 wait for independ-
ence They demand it now. They can
not be convinced that the Filipinos are
not fit for self-government. It doubtless
seems to them to be an easy matter to
set up government and maintsin it.
But there is nothing more certain than
that they would fail long before they got
their government in running order-that
they would be in the midst of a civil war
within very few months. Then would
come the European governments and COB
BILE them up. Our expenditure Of blood
and treasure would go for nothing.
While we do not know the reasons the
administration has for not favorlng a
declaration at this time showing just what
its purposes are in respect 20 the Philip
pines, IL does seem as If there ought to
be such a declaration at the earliest mo-
ment consistent with the best interests of
the country. The people ought to know
what the intention of the government is
in respect to those far-away islands. They
are furnishing the men to do the fighting
and the money to pay the bills. Their
wishes in the matter, therefore, ought to
be consulted. If a declaration does not
come very soon they will force one the
very first opportunity they have.