The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1899-01-03
PEACE COMMISSIONERS VIEWS

can not be expected just now, but
some of the American com missioners
shed additional light upon the nego-
tiations. Senator Frye touches on
the testimony bearing on Spanish
cruelties in the Philippines, subject
concerning which little was heard
outside during the deliberations at
Paris. 1t was a delicate theme with
the treaty still pending. But it had
great weight with the American
members in making the final demand
for all the Philippines. The evidence
is complete that Spanish authority in
the islands had become an atrocity of
the worst kind. In recent years the
regions held by the Spandiards had
been an inferno. Torture and medi-
aeval cruelty were common matter.
This was proved by the records pre-
served by prisoners and by photo
graphs of scenes of wholesale public
executions. Witnesses appeared
personally before the American mem
bers and piled up the proof until it
became irresistible. Senator Frye
compares the horrors to those of the
inquisitlon. Our commissioners could
not doubt their duty in the premises,
and few will be left to disagree with
them when all the facts are known.
1t soon became evident to the
American commissioners that turn
ing the Philippines, or any part Of
them, back to Spain was simply i'm
possible. Senator Frye does not be-
lieve that any American In possession
of the evidence could consent to it.
Nor does he think that there can be
many who would divide the group
among our commercial competitors.
The idea of selling 1t does not appeal
to his judgment. He is convinced
that we shall keep the Philippines,
and that by just treatment almost the
entire population will be san intelli-
gent, industrious, prosperous, self
sustaining and contented people" "
Possibly at the end of 100 years, or
some other long educational period,
they might, in his opinion, be ad-
mitted to statehood. The treaty
leaves us with free hands to hold the
group in our own way, or, for that
matter, to dispose of it. But that il
will! be sold, transferred by partition
traded or abandoned Is scarcely con.
ceivable. 1t will be worth more tc
us than to others. 1t is plainly {
national element in our Commercial
future, and came into our hands by s
natural and perfectly honorable Sc
quence of events. To falter in theil
acceptance would be a confession O.
national weakness somewhere.
Senator Frye touches upon poin
that will be noted by the people will
increasing interest as the duties o
the future untold. ''If we give thu
Philippines a good government" h'
says, "there will be little difficulty
If we do notsend carpet-baggers ant
political hacks and adventurers will
an eye to making money there t.
govern this people; If we show wis
dom and sincerity of purpose ther
will be no serious difficulty in tn
government" Similar words of eau
tion were spoken by Col. Roosevelt
few nights ago at a New Englant
dinner in Brooklyn. He said: "W
must send only our best men-leav
ing them unhampered as far as pos
sible-exocting results, but givin
them liberty IN attaining those result:
If we treat those islands rs the spo
of the politicians, we shall tread agai
the path that Srain trod so shame
fully" The administration may b
trusted 10 maintain its high level
thisas in other respects. That is
matter of American honor, honest
and capacity. And so is the que'