The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-20
PLATT ON THE PHILIPPINES
THE PRESIDENTS RECORD ONE OF
SIGACI1Y AND COMPETENCY


Able in 1901 to Reverse Our Policy.
Senator Thomas G. Plat. who is amending
the summer at the Oriental HOTEL Manhattan
Beach, made statement Yesterday on the
present situation In the Philippine Islands.
The senator's friends said yesterday that his
views ON tho subject. arrived ut after n cIoss
study ot all the factors in the situation. wsre
IN perfect accord with the sentiments OF presi-
dent Mckinley and the Adm nistration Sena-
tor Pat said:
Il purpose herein to answer certain criti-
ci-ms which are being directed at the conduct
OF tho war ia the philippines do not refer
to the criticisms of those who. in the name OF
liberty and philanthropy. are advocating a
poacy OF national cowardice and dishonor.
Thor ugly motives obtrude from everything
th"y say. To make an end OF the rebellion, to
hru- about condition OF order and peace in
tho philippines, is not their object. On the
contrary. nothing Is clearer than the fact that
they want their country's arms to be defeated
Every little difficulty. every slight disaster is
L. them IA source of immoderate satisfaction,
ami 'hs character of the work they are doing
arprars in AguiEaldo's latest proclamation,
whore he tells tho Filipinos that some States
OF the American Union have already risen In
our iavor To argue with these people would
BE- IKE rpddlinE copperhcad.
convinced OF our duty and responsibility in the
IW6ppn"s, are arprchensive lest the Govern
mrut has not appreciated the size OF It's UNDER
taxing They forget the history OF the matter
They nrgHt the limitations OF authority from
Congress and of good faith to Spain 10y which
III, government has been embarrassed They
are inIAirlug why Gen. Otis has not had a
larger army at his back. They want to know
why there was nota sufficient force present in
I..,, l.. & 4,
IT. 'lr,t appearance. And stirred 10y sensational
newsletter stories and by tho recent round
rpln' o the offended correspondents, they
are asking whether tho situation is even us
good rs has been reported. whether tho Gov
eminent has not allowed itself to be misled
and whether the military forces now being en-
lsr"i will surely ho great enough for the task
on hand. These are tho inquiries to which l
purpose to submit an answer.
1t should lie borne In mind In the nrst
place, that the Govdrnmonts means OF nfor-
nation concerning what has occurred in the
Philippines Is not confined to Gen. Otis The
Navy Department has its agents there The
President il directly represented ly Mr. Denby,
who was for fourteen years our Minister to
China. and by Prof. Worcester. who resided in
the Philippines for four or five years, who
speaks the TaGalOg languages. and who knows
the native character and habits The Philip
pua campaign is receiving tho President 8
constant personal attention. lie is in direct
cable communication with Manila and re-
c"ly"S daily reports from all sources. The
possibility Of hi, being mised about the fact
in tu' 'ase /, scarcely worth considering.
TN" Ir"risc fact rs he obtains It. not only
from t,rn Otis, but from each OF dozen or
NOR" ut his Official informants. Is that for a
stance Of nifty miles north OF Manila and Of
twenty miles south OF Manila and eastward
into iN.una province. our armies hold the ter
rltory; that the insurgents are scattered be-
yUni our lines in bands Of from 30 to 500,
their only considerable force consisting OF
about 4,plO men, who are cncamped in north
ERA pampanga. The southern army OF the
Insurgents. possibly 1000 strong, is badly de-
m"ra.llcd 10y recent defeats The President $
advisers report to him that in a number of
cites within the American lines local govern
Ing their functions cnmpetently and to the
st Niacton o. III" people; that the mass Of tho
n""T!e desire peace and American protection
thht they no longer iee on the approach OF our
troops. but heartily welcome them: that the
population I within the American lines is dense
an rr2ws larger all the while. AMI that land
cultivation is going on extensively.
l, The President is advised. and on this point
the able men whose official obligation Is TO
hecp me Hoyernm.nt accurately informed.
llH: the only hope Of the insurgents lies in the
Effort they are making to convince the people
mat chang" of government is about to occur
IN me Cniteh States favorable 10 the insurgent
cause that Their" Is general opposition among
thr American people to the prosecution OF the
war and fixed purpos" on the part OF the po-
tlcal party about to come into power to with
draw the American Army and 10 recognize the
GoyGrnment Of AGun3iIo. This idea is being
a-sItuoEsly cultivated by the insurgent lead
er-. and II So far serves their purpose IA TO
enable them to maintain their forces in fairly
strong array.
Their" can he no question ofthe substantial
rum a"d accuracy OF this Information. 1t
comes from too many different sources aud
1Ibll sources too hiHh and honorable in rhnrap
ter To admit ut doubt. and not even the tcsti-
h%y % Of rn
blue pencil with their sensational stories cal
s1 SF9es sv II" and GnG H of the
IN. Mr. .ni s az ssTscay "ntimi S view T o,
the Question why more has not been already
S%mnsn.d and to the G4sstG9T Thethnr the
r?!w,rrtu! for the work that remains.
ernmcnt III not have Il, great army At Manila
T %G"o ne filiptnos made their first attack. Il
S Mot could a wfE s%nd
an4 n" laws OF Congress urtcrwhl"h tn" arm
thar tn" American people wer" not thinking Of
~" ihl!rrine, when they went t. war with
aith.rs"tI uOn Thr. period Of actual wal: more.
-rion Srpn n@Si d St'nI Mana EaH
~" "hInIagn on land and sea at Santiago. and
Ne occupation Of Porto Rico-came swiftly one
ever duuJh"r and the French Ambassador
had appeared ut tn" White House with
+ PROPOSAL to end the war almost
h"'or" thu American army mad been
equipped To take the field. Now. at that time
IN JAY, 1879. we had sent to the Philippines
lrAry 10000 men. Commodorc Dewey har
adv sod the Government that 5000 would bt
s55Illrient. 1t wGs Gen. Mliess. opinion thai
i-!NW were surely enough. hut the President
tpat"hed 10000 The only work then exp@ctc,C
OF them was TO fight aud defeat the Spanisrd:
a. Manila. and at the time when the l'r-sden
dictated the language Of the peace protocol tht
american army stood confronting the Spanish
lntTrrv hmunts
1t became Immediately necessary for our
toy"rument t. define it's lEilppiue policy
tut III" President was not to De forced into IN
c'h-u.nrute action. As to CUBA and Port,
!,lcp. h" had made up his mind. and the French
Amhu--0Ior was informed that treaty q
l"a'" could Ne negotiated on the hlss Of the
ENi'"uIrr ~ tUnH to ua and To the CuhhI
I"'ti", and upon the ccssjun uf Porto Rico anl
Guam. ~ as for The ,lhirpn"s. the, lTesl
Gent 'Oid that We would take and hold the bay
hnr.or and city Of Manila pending the con
cu-ipG u' tn" treaty and that the treat
81 ~ determine : Nu rlI, .iSttOS .tlDn