The times., 1899-04-15
rhe Chron,c FnuI,finaer,

From out-of-the way corners of the land
there still comes the unhappy wall of the
anti-expansionists; but up TO the present
time this individual has done little but
wall 1t might seem that if he were very
much in earnest he might go out and fight
for his opinions. as those who hold the
opposite opinion have shown themselves
willing to do: but thus far he has content
ed himself with sitting on the fence and
shying remarks at those who were really
doing something. because they were not
doing il as he thought 1t ought to be done.
This sort of thing is always a little pro-
yoking although there has been more or
less of ii since the first man Skinned up
a palmtree after nuts, and his critical COM
rade sat by and advised him 10 walt till
the tree grew some branches so that it
would be easier TO climb, and prophesied
that he would never, no never, get any
nuts by his present insane method. 1t is
safe TO say that primitive man threw the
first nut very hard at the objectors skull,
and cracked il; and the descendants of that
critic have, perhaps, been somewhat i'm
perfect in brain ever since. Nowadays the
faultfnder stands about while perspiring
man puts up a stovepipe or conducts a
newspaper. or paints picture. or subdues
unruly and newly-caught citizens, and
makes himself just as objectionable as he
did in the days of prehistoric tribal life;
but he does not have cocoanuts thrown at
his head, because the world has grown
civilized.
One of the things which is exciting the
wrath of the constitutional critic just at
present is the wickedness of our cam
paign against the Filipinos. He points out
that they cannot shoot, and that our SOL
diers can that we have cannon and they
have not that we are better organized
better drilled. and better led than they;
that II is perfectly futile for them 10 at
tempt TO fight us al all. and that they have
a right to their independence. He does
not add, as he might that the poor Fill
pino has occasionally all the advantage
of smokeless powder as against the anti
quated Springfelds of our troops; and that
he has a thorough knowledge of the grounc,
with friends in every village. which ought
TO do him some good.
But although the anti Is quite convinced
that il is wrong for us to war against the
Filipinos. he does NOT tell us what we ought
to do. Any observer of international af-
fairs will say without an instant's hesi-
tation that absolute independence for the
Filipinos at present is entirely impossible.
The Philippines are much too tempting
bait to be lef; unguarded in the midst of
so many hungry mouths as there are in
that vicinity. Ii would not be six months
before they would be swallowed whole and
have TO fight for their independence all
over again, and be exterminated for their
pains II they are to be a part of our
territory, they must be peaceful part.
They cannot be allowed 10 burn foreign
residents of Manila to death in the middle
of the night. for pastime. or even in the
name of patriotism. II they cannot be
persuaded TO behave themselves by peace
full means il appears they cannot. there
will have to be fighting and does the in
nocent anti really believe that we ought
to tell our soldiers 10 lay aside their guns,
arm themselves with bow and arrow and
go out in numbers exactly equal TO those
OF the Filipino army, to fight the thing out
as nearly as may be on equal terms? Are
the American troops to fire in the air. so
that no more of their shots may hit the
mark than necessary for the preservation
Of perfect equality: Does anyone in these |
United States seriously believe that our |
soldiers ought 10 treat these semi-savage |
foes as a boy treats his little brother at |
a game of draughts, letting the youngster |
win alternate games. as 10 encourage |
him and teach him to play? This is the |
only logical conclusion which can be |
drawn from the arguments, and vitupera--
tions, and sneers OF the antl-expansionist |
and nobody can very well help seeing it.
So long as our troops are kept in good |
order. refrain from unnecessary severity. |
let non-combatants alone. and behave |
themselves generally as decent young |
Americans might be expected to behave, 1t |
should be plain to everyone that the short