The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-08

Is found in the attitude OF parties, in
divfduals and newspapers during the
last year. This evidence has manifest
ed itself in a striking degree in the
treatment of the Philippine question
by Mr.. Mckinley and his supporters.
AS to the presidents policy in those
islands we have yet to see the first
absolutely fair statement either of the
merits of the policy itself or the atti-
tude Of it's opponents. In this sweep
ing declaration we make no exceptions,
but include everything which has been
said upon that side whether uttered by
the president himself, one Of his cabi-
net officers, or the most insignificant
follower
In his recent message the president
not only makes statements of facts
that are open to the gravest question,
but he completely ignores the very
essence of the controversy. So far as
our right to the Philippines is con-
cerned he relies solely upon the treaty
with Spain, by which that country
transferred to us whatever title she
had. This he asserts to be perfectly
good, and to give US a title that can
not be assailed either In law or equity.
In view of the fact that at the time
of the signing of the treaty the insur-
gent natives had wrested nearly or
quite nine-nine one-hundredths of the
territory from Spain. and were then in
possession of it, even this technical
argument is far from being conclusive,
especially the equity" part of it.
But the opposition stands upon a. far
higher plane. It asserts the broad
principle that the ten millions of ma
tives have just the same natural and
unalienable rights in their own coun--
try that we have in ours, and that
their plea for self-government is one
that no American can justly deny. Mr..
Mckinley absolutely ignores this great
principle, and this attitude of the oppo-
sition.
His statement that the vast major
ity are loyal and DESTROYS Of submitting
to American rule has no foundation OF
proof to rest upon. Every person hav-
ing the slightest familiarity with con-
ditions in the islands knows that not
only has there been no attempt made
to get a fair expression of sentiment,
but that the American authorities have
never yet come into actual touch with
one-ffth of the population. 1t is there
fore simply impossible for him to know
what their wishes are, and every rea-
sonable presumption is against his con-
clusion.
It is persistently assumed that the
opposition has demanded and still de-
mands that the military and naval
forces Of the United States shall be at
once withdrawn from the islands. No
such demand has been made any more
than in the case of Cuba. The con-
tention is that the Filipinos should
have the assurance of government
at the earliest practicable day and the
assistance of the United States In main
tanning it.
Nor has the opposition objected to
| the acquisition Of naval and coaling
| stations, or any commercial conces-
| sions possible to secure by the free and
voluntary act OF the people of the ISL
! ands. In this way we could have ac-
Qulred every ueSlFdple ColiilelGiai 1iih
| naval advantage without any sacrifice
| of blood or treasure, and without in
| curing the odium of trampIing upon
| the liberties of the people of. those dis
| tant isles.
| These are the issues as presented
| these are the issues that neither Mr..
| Mckinley nor any of his apologists
| have even attempted to squarsly meet.
| On the contrary, we have had eva
Nsions bubbles and misstatements,
coupled with the erithets "copperhead"
| and "traitor'--epithets which an edu-
| Gated parrot could employ quite as Wen
and with just about equal intelligence.
Hence the unavoidable conclusion that
the presidents policy is bad one, and
indefensible by fair and candid debate.