The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-07-14
BISHOP THOBURN

Talks Entertainingly on the Situation
in the Philippines = United States
Bound to Assert Authority There.
CINCINNATI, July 1s.-Bishop ]. N.
Thoburn, of the Methodist Episcopal
church, who has spent forty years as
a missionary, mostly In India, is here
With his family, some of whom are in
iIl-health.
The bishop spent some time in Ma
Mia in March last, and was an intelll-
gent observer Of events, He says there
is no doubt that the outbreak between
the Americans and Filipinos was In
tended by Filipino leaders to include
general massacre in the city OF Ma
Mia. He cited in proof Of this the tes-
timony Of two Filipino servants who
were summoned to service In the army
by Agulnaldo. and who dared not dis
obey. but who warned their American
employers to keep within doors that
night, as orders had been given to kill
all Europeans found on the streets.
Another evidence was the finding OF
5000 new knives stored in a Catholic
church. Only the splendid discipline
OF the American troops prevented the
massacre in Manila.
The bishop was in London when the
thrilling news of Dewey's victory
came. It was universally understood
there, he said, that It meant the per-
manent possession Of the Philippines
by the United States. Asked why
Dewey did not leave Manila after his
victory. he said the shortsightedness
OF the United States government made
It impossible. Dewey had not coal
enough to carry him to the nearest
American coaling station, and he was
bound to take Manila in self-defense.
The whole history of the present
Philippine situation showed such a
natural and logical and even inevitable
course Of events that the United States
is bound to assert Its authority there.
Anarchy and assassination, he declares,
would follow the withdrawal Of the
American forces. The only trouble lies
in the LuZon island. All the other
islands are peaceful. The bishop thinks
the proper policy OF the United States
is to enlist the men OF the other
islands, who are the natural enemies
OF the Inhabitants OF Luzon, to fight
AguInaldo's army. Differed by Amer
leans they would quickly dispose OF the
few men that Aguinaldo can muster.
Viewing the situation In the Far East
from the standpoint Of n missionary
of forty years In that part Of the world.
the bishop was impressed with the fact
that 1t was the duty of the United
States, forced upon 1t by the clrcum-
stances OF the Spanish war, to hold
the Philippines and preserve order and
extend civilized government in that
vast region. Moreover in the interest
Of morality and christianity. he hoped
for the dissolution Of the Chinese en-
pire, which he characterized as the
most helpless government on the earth.
In that event Russia should have
portion, giving 1t an available Pacific
port. England, though favoring the
integrity OF the Chinese empire. already
has In mind the valley OF the Yang
Use Kiang as its share. The United
States should have Its portion Of the
coast opposite the Philippines.
Such division OF China would bring
untold blessings to the people OF that
empire, and would advance the civil
izatlon Of the whole world. The bishop
declines to discuss the subject from
the standpoint OF American politics,
but he says he cannot imagine why the
United States should shrink from CIV
ing up her exclusive policy and hest
tate TO take her place among the ma
lions, when the duty is so manlfestly
thrust upon her. II China falls to
pieces, as nearly all well informed peo-
pie believe she will, 1t would be UNI
wise. II not morally wrong to concede
that the European nations have right
to settle the destiny Of that great en-
pire without any reference TO America.
The United States must Inevitably be-
come the dominating power Of the Pa
cifc ocean, and II such future is in
store for her, she certainly ought to
hold an important section OF the coast
line OF Eastern Asia,