The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-10
SYMPATHY FOR FfLJpJN0s

1t is evidence of the thorough hui
mainly of the American people that the
slaughter of the Fflipinos has evoked
lamentations from the pulpit, the press
and private citizens. There is abund-
ant proof that the terrible sacrifice of
human life has made a more profound
impression in this country than tba
glory of war. 1t is not apt to be so in
Europe, Still less is it true in the Phil
ippines, more's the pity. Deplorable as
Is the destruction of thousands Of hu-
man beings in a single battle, it is I'M
fortunately the very business to which
the natives would give their first and
most eager attention if left to them
selves. Indeed, they are at it already
numbering the tax collectors sent into
the interior by their own so-caIled gov
eminent, and killing Aguinaldo's SOL
diers as if they were but aliens and
invaders.
Such is the testimony of the valued
Manila correspondent of the New York
Evening Post, one of the most irrecon-
cilable of the few anti-expansion news
papers. In short, anarchy and blood
shed are rife, and there is rebellion
against the self-constituted native rul-
ers, According to this correspondent
Aguinaldo and his agents have utterly
lost control of their people. They can
neither preserve order nor prevent at
tacks upon the American lines. This
was confessed by the commissioners
who were sent by the leaders to neeo-
tiate with Gen. Otis, and evidently
they told the truth. The natives
have been excited to a pitch of fanat-
icism on the subject of independence
under an American protectorate. Yet
these commissioners admitted that the
United States was the only recognized
power in the islands, and when asked
by an American officer what wouId
happen if our army should withdraw.
the Philippine committee held up their
hands in dismay, do not leave us. for
other powers would come in and take
possession Of the islands" Such is the
report Of the Evening Posts CORE,
spondent.
What, then, would have been the re-
suit of American withdrawal? Everv-
thing that has happened since the sign
ing Of the treaty of peace has furnished
additional evidence of what was known
before. The native government was
not elective. 1t represented nothing
but a ring. Brigandage is rampant,
even in parts of Luzon, and in the alb
sence of Spain or the United States the
natives would have fought their own
nominal government. There would
have been a wild riot of fire and sword
till some strong European power
stepped in, and then there would have
been more war.
The i'll fortune of the Filipinos is only
what has overtaken black men, brown
men, red men and yellow men when
ever and wherever they have met the
advancing tide of the white mans civil
ization. They cannot understand his
ways, and cropping in ignorance and
suspicion, they only bring utterly
needless evil upon themselves. They
have yet to learn the world principle
that no race has a recognized right to
territory, to the exclusion of other
races, if it gives the land over to dis
order and devastation, so that it can
not contribute its share to the main
tenance of the human species. That
law applies as much to the Philippines
as to Cuba or the Danube provinces.