The record-union., 1899-10-09

learning and experience, is, however,
credited. After laying bare his plan TOT
peace and receiving a most emphatic
Mo- from General Otis, he was per-
mitted to remain in the city a few
hours-most unwisely-during whlch
time he delivered himself to reporters
of anxious inquiries concerning the
growth of the anti-expansion sentiment
in this country.
He unreservedly made known the
hope and expectation that this fall the
Presidents policy concerning the Fhil-
ippines would be reversed under the
demand of the people of the United
States. BY this disclosure he revealed
the fact that the F'ilipinos base their
hopes of success upon the aid and com
fort they expect to receive in the United
States.
The statesman, the true diplomat,
never would thus haye exposed his
hand. The really shrewd diplomatist
"OdAd nave IGd11ZCO liledI Al AC AAe~N
friends among the people of the United
States he would cripple them in the
endeavor to aid him. by making any
reference to them whatever Alejan-
drino really did what the inexpert
player does, revealed his hand, told us
plainly that he expects to hold out only
until we reverse ourselves and give him
triumph he is unable to win by arms.
The conclusion therefore must be, that
this exceptionally bright Malay chief
tain is not nearly as good a politician
as has been represented; that he is an
indiscreet diplomat and blundering
military leader. For he went so far
as to say that in the end he knew his
soldiers would be overcome; that he
until outside circumstances would COM
pei us to grant a peace we now deny.
That if these wished for circumstances
did not come to pass as expected, there
but submission.
No real General would ever make
such an admission in the camp Of his
enemy or elsewhere. Mr.. Bryan, Mr..
Atkinson, Mr.. Carnegie and Mr.. Mason
have not reason to thank the Filipino
chief for his frankness. His indiscre-
tion will cost them much of their sup
port, and before another month rolls
by we think that they will confess as
much in the open.
For Alejandrinos giving of the snap
away will serve to convince the Ameri-
can people that the expansionists have
been telling no fairy tales, when they
asserted that the insurgents looked up
on the work of the anti-expansionists
and calamity prophets as their hope
and salvation. The logic of this is that
the public will come to think, and it
will think sagely and truthfully, that
these home Tagalos are responsible for
a very large share Of the blood spilled
and treasure expended in opposing the
rebellion. The public will believe, as
we'll it may, that had these "antis''
held their peace, the war would have
been closed out long ago.
The result of such conviction of the
public mind must be disastrous to the
opponents of the Administration and
the supporters of Mr.. Bryan, who, by
the way, had he been President would
have done precisely as the present Ad-
ministration has done. He would not,
| despite his present mouthings, have
dared to lower the flag in the Orient by
so much as an inch, nor withdraw our
forces and abandon the Philippines.
One explanation of Alejandrino s
action and expression is given that at
first blush seems plausible 1t is that
he spoke as he did to give heart and
encouragemen to the anti-expansionist
element among US; that he Intended his
words for Filipino consumption in the
United States. But examination dis
pels the idea of excuse offered, and
shows that his indscretion must have
precisely the opposite effect, tend to
discourage the Filipino sympathizers
and to incense the people of the United
States who believe that it is our duty
to retain the islands, reduce the in
surgents to submission, and then pro-
ceed to establish for the people of the
group a stable government with the
| fullest possible measure of self-rule
| that is consistent with their ability to
! assume.
The first conference between Admiral