The San Francisco call., 1899-11-17
THE RULE OF THUMB.

Y IHAI member OF the administration or ot
/ kAJ Congress, or of any of the talented commits
4 sions has plan for government in the Philip
pines which Is to be entered upon and worked out
to conclusionl
The air is full of flags and generalities, but not
Nithstanding this gay aspect of the weln this coun
try has by force assumed the responsibility of caring
for the welfare of about ten millions of human beings,
known TO most OF our people "niggers," with all
that the name implies -.r-.
The Call has looked forward in the case OF Hawaii
and has pointed out in advance what has happened
there, The ante-annexation conditions flourish
touched contract coolie labor and ALL and Congress
has made no provision for government The condi-
ton OF the Philippines, described in the premin
ary report OF the commission, is such bar
the extension them OF the equality for which this
Government stands, An imperalist correspondent in
the islands says: Already see protests against the
federation OF Mahometan Sultan to rule over the
Moros OF Suiu and AIindanao Hands raised in
horror that there should be any perpetuaon OF those
forms of poygamy and slavery which exist in the
Sultans territory But when those questions too
closely touched in that country the people OF America
may look to the uprising of thousands upon thou
sands OF fierce fighting men, to whom death is no
terror than sleep is to Us. Their weapons win
be the barong the kris the spear and the shield but
pino who runs from his trenches and maintains
dragging guerrilla warfare. It viii be that of Fuzzy
WuzEy with is 'ome in the Sordan." =s .. .
The New York Press one OF the most intoerant
imperalist papers, admits that: at IS clear that il
viii be impossible for Congress at this coming
sion, probably the next perhaps in any session,
to adopt general scheme of government for the
islands There must simply be discreet trying OF
the garments of government on these naked politics
by executive hands. There can then be a legislative
ratification OF the one, in each case which fits And
each case is likely differ considerably from every
other" s. g.. '.:
It appears, then, that the Sulus to have
hsnd-me-down suit OF government, consisting OF gar
ments fitted to poygeny and slavery. because they
viii fight il we attempt to dress them in nonogamy
and freedom. 1t also appears that each island is
likely to have series of different suits tried on and
that At tie distant conclusion o this process each will
differ from the other, and the final result will be
scheme Of government, under our constitution ded-
Gated to equality, that viii resemble group dressed
in garments bought at Rag Fair. The President OF
the United States is act the old clothes man in
this proceeding, and the army and navy catch
and hold his customers while he tries on them the
different trousers and coats and cIouts and gee
strings Of government, g.. il. >.:
This is the planless plan. The only thing decided
on is that the Mahometans are to have their way be-
cause they can fight, while the Christians not to
have theirs because they can't fight ".-
If this is the best the inperiaists have to offer it
is apparent that are in less trouble there while
we are fighting than we viii be after the slaughter is
finished When it IS we to undertake the govern
ment OF millions OF people not by the rule of the
constitution but by the rule OF thumb.
Professor Worcester OF the Philippine Commission
said in address in Chicago on Wednesday night:
Those OF who believe the flag should stay in the
East and that under its shadow we should patiently
teach wards the lessons they must learn ere
they take their place in the great family OF na-
tions free and united people, should stand shoul-
der 10 shoulder. There is work for US to do Let
those scof who viii The future OF 100000 human
beings and the honor Of great nation are in our
keeping and the eyes OF the world are upon us Let
Us not prove unfaithiul- to our trust"
Air. Worcester is a professor and ought to be
aware OF the force of language. If We comprehend
him we do not scoff, but agree with him. He says
we must teach the Filpnos TO take their rlace in
the great family OF nations as a free and united
people" That means if it means anything their self
government and independence. We are persuaded
that plain assurance to that eiert wifi stop the war
in twentyfour hours and that our t1telage 10 that
end viii be cheerfuly and hopefully accepted by the
whole people That end is ali they have been fight
ing for, and il Worcester is comprehensive at all he
is in agreement with them and appards and ldorses
the cause for which they are. under arms: J.