Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-08-22
Fniptnos Capable of Home Rule.


In recent issue of the Washington
Post appears letter. in which the
writer groups documentary evidence
in support of the contention that the
Filipinos are capable of self-govern-
ment. 1t is shown that in June, 1898,
Admiral Dewey reported to Secretary
Long as follows:
'Aguinaldo, insurgent leader. with
Is of his staff, arrived May 10, by
permission 1 have given him to I'M
derstand that / consider insurgents as
friends. being opposed to a com mon
enemy. He has gone to attend a
meeting of insurgent leaders for the
purpose of forming a civil govern
ment.
I'm my opinion, these people are
far superior in their intelligence and
more capable of self-government than
the natives of Cuba, and l am famil-
lar with both races"
Aug. 20, 1898, Admiral Dewey
wrote to Washington:
lin a telegram sent to the depart
ment June % 1 expressed the opinion
that these people are far superior in
their intelligence and more capable of
self-government than the natives of
Cuba, and / am familiar with both
races Further intercourse has con-
firmed me in this opinion"
Prof. Dean c. Worcester wrote in
December:
IF have anywhere stated that
the natives are incapable of self-gov-
eminent / have said what 1 did not
mean to say. The Filipino
L.. a 10
He shows executive ability
of no mean order when called upon to
attend to the administration of local
affairs in the more important towns. :"
Gen. Charles A. Whittier, of Gen.
Merritt's staff, wrote as follows:
when we were first in the bay and
for some little time after the surren-
der. was greatly opposed to our
country taking the islands. doubling
if it was right, be lieving that we had
quite enough country of our own to
develop, and that it was absolutely
against all our traditional and accept
ed policy. But after a little while,
with my changed esti mate of the Fill
Pine character, seeing their order,
industry, frugality, temperance, toll
erance of Danger and fatigue. and
when reviewed their struggle for in
dependence, the brutalities inflicted
upon them by the Spaniards, and
their dignity still. it seemed to me our
duty to use them and our own credit
and resources in making great coun-
try, as / believe ii could have been
made.
81 felt, and still feel sure that with
a little tact and diplomacy, the peo-
pie would have accepted our Protec-
tion.''
Gen. Charles Kings letter of June
%, 1899, fully confirms Gen. Whit
tiers opinions. He writes:
The capability of the Filipinos for
self-government cannot be doubted; ;
such men as Arrellano and Aguinaldo
and many others whom l might
name, are highly educated; nine
tenths of the people read and write;
another. are industrious. frugal, tenn
perate, and, if given a fair start, could
look out for themselves infinitely bet
ter than our people imagine"
Gen. Funston's statement is even
more convincing of the fallacy of the
administration Course, even from it's
own standpoint of retaining control of
the islands. He says:
Il believe at present that there
should be little less gunpowder and
more diplomacy. Filipinos are no doubt
impressed by the former in a manner
they will remember Grant
them some concessions. which are
seemingly of great importance to
them. Give them some assurance and
actual demonstration of our good will
and friendship for them and their
welfare, win them into our conf
dence.
Il believe little diplomacy at this
time would go long way toward set
Ting the trouble, and bringing peace
and consequent prosperity to these
unfortunate islands
Strange as it may seem. am al
most .peace-at-any-pr When
life and property can be saved. it is
almost a crime not to follow that rule.
whatever circumstances be argued
against it. l am a republican, but i
am an anti-expansionist, though not
q bitter one-more of a mild one"
These views are certainly worthy of
the serious consideration of the Amer
lean people.
Red Hot From the Gun.
Was the ball that hit G. B. Stead