The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1899-03-16
Colonizing the Philippines.

CokonIZlng the Pe1IpplneS-
A MESSAGE from Maj SternbeTg
says that 10 per cent. of the volunteers
in the Philippines are desiroas of being
mustered out in the islands rather than
of returning home. Several months
experience in our Pacific possessions
has taught them the diverse advaR' !;
tages presented by the islan0sr both as
regards climate and produetsveness~
They are not sedueed by fair words
and promises of interested capitalists,
but their wish to remain where theTS
are is the result of an observation OIL
existing conditions throughout q some
what extended sojourn in that locality
These men are no doubt as capable OF
taking the proper measure of the situ-l
alton as theory struck 1eanUis, "wAe make
their deductions fron their faDsies and
from over wrought accounts 1eM thai
pens of prejudiced journalists.
This action on the part OF oGU vOlln-
teers goes good way toward refulting'
the objection of anti xpansi Omists that
the white man cannot be indbaced te-
pitch his tent in the Philippines D0r
live there If he can be so persuaded.
Here we have hardy, eourageOnsyO OAg
men by the hundred, who are not only
willing, but anxious to be left to seek
their fortunes in the Philippines. Most
of them are from our western plains,
accustomed to the hardships of pioneer
life, and trained to see their Oppor-
tunity and seize it. They have been
brought up in ardaous circumstances
and are not afraid of work. They are
not infatuated with fancies of easily won
wealth. They have taken an invoice OF
their surroundings andsettled on the be-
lief that Luzon offers as many induce
ments to we'll directed economy
and labor as the land from
which they came. This is the
simplest and wisest method of
colonization. It is the most enduring.
1t is not enforced occupation, but the
natural coming together of resources
and the means of utilizing them. 1t
will introduce new life and energy into
a vitiated community. These islands
are not barren waste. Indeed, men
who have investigated, in whose word
we have implicit confidence, pronounce
them very productive and peculiarly
| favorable to certain branches ofindus-
try. It is contrary to the nature of
things that these great possibilities
should be undeveloped. By allowing
nature to take it's course the colonial
ton phase of our eastern question has
lost it's terror. A way out of the diff
Guilty has been found which is, at the
same time, the most efficacious and the
easiest Under the stimulus of Ameri-
can pluck and enterprise the Philip
pines will take up a new lease of lie;
activity will supplant apathy; business
will depose commercial stagnation
ample resources, developed by Ameri
can genius will make the Philippines {
potent factor in the worlds martf
rather than a drug on the market.
Thus, as the problem of expansion
2 grows older, the arguments of the op
a position grow weaker. One by on
q they are dropping of into invalidit.
9 and absurdity. 1t is the old story
9 history repeating itself. The higl
g sounding theories of the anti expan
Q sionist reduced to foibles by the on
! ward march of events, will all 500
n take their position beside those one
! urged against Oregon and Louisiana