The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-16
AMERICANIzING THE PHILIPPINES

AS yet we have not undisputed possession
OF the Philippine islands, but we will have.
The present insurrection will be short
lived, and when it is suppressed the SOW
ereignty and authority of the United States
In the islands will be completely estab-
lished. Spain already recognizes it. and 1t
only remains TO put down the Aguinaldo
faction which, as is clearly demonstrated,
does not represent the better element of a
mixed population, in which the best ele-
ment is none too good.
Assuming that the insurrection will soon
be suppressed and the sovereignty OF the
United States completely established in the
islands. the question will still remain what
to do with them. The best Of all things we
could do would be to Americanize them, by
which is meant the introduction OF Ameri-
can blood and American civilization. This
does not necessarily imply annexation Of the
islands, though worse things than this
might happen for the interests Of the Fill
pinos and of civilization generally. But the
Philippines could be Americanized as well
under United States protectorate as by
annexation. In either case the American
flag and American influence would domi-
nate. In either case the question would be
how to promote American immigration.
colonization and settlement to an extent
that would contribute to the Americanza-
ton OF the Islands. This is question that
the government has no time to consider
now, but which it will have 10 consider be-
fore long. One phase OF 1T is already pre-
scented by the suggestion of Major Stern
berg. paymaster United States volunteers.
that the soldiers soon to be recalled from
the Philippines be mustered out there with
travel pay. so that they may remain or
come home at their option. He estimates
that there is not less than 10 per cent. of
the volunteers who honestly wish TO remain
in these islands and make homes here and
engage in agriculture numbering and min
ing" He says the islands have great nat
ural resources and that many Of the soldiers
now there, regulars as well as volunteers,
would like to stay there and take their
chances, provided, of course. tho United
States intends TO retain some sort of per-
manent interest in the islands. a paymas-
ter who comes in personal contact with
soldiers is as apt to know their feelings as
anybody, and Major Sternberg's estimate
that 10 per cent. of the soldiers now in the
Philippines would like to remain there can
not be far amss. There has been a good
deal said regarding the homesickness of the
soldiers at Manila. This seems TO have worn
off since the fighting began, but, giving the
widest scope to the statements made Major
Sternberg only claims that 10 per cent. OF
the soldiers would like TO remain there
special correspondent of tho Philadelphia
Press. writing from Manila, under date of
Jan. 20. says: There Is an organization in
the army here of the men who wish to re-
main on the island. The purpose of the or
ganiZation is To secure combined action, as
many members of different military organi-
cations are especially anxious to remain
here" These soldiers know that the fight
ing is not going TO last long and they seem
to have an instructive feeling that the Phil
ippines will remain practically under Amer
lean control. There is no better way TO be-
gin policy of colonizing and Americana
ing the islands than by making 1t easy Tor
American soldiers who wish to remain
there to do so. The suggestion that they be
mustered out there with travel pay home
and given the option of remaining or re-
turning to the United States Is worthy OF
consideration If we are to civiliZe the Phil
ippines the more American blood we can
introduce there the better. Those persons
who think suggestions on this subject pre-
mature should look ahead hundred years.
BY that time this continent will be thickly
populated and the English-speaking race
will be overlooking, not exactly into the
sea- but into the islands of the sea. A hun
dred years hence the historians may cite
with admiration the wisdom of American
statesmen who, in the last years OF tho
nineteenth century. inaugurated the policy
of Americanizing the Philippines.