Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-22
OUR DUTY IN THE ORIENT
Clark Howell Discusses the Philippine situa
ton at Banquet.
First Pacify the Islands, Then Estab-
fish n Benefcent Form of
Government.

Clark Howell, editor of the Atlanta Con-
stitution, delivered an address at banquet
given in Buffalo, n. Y, last night by the
Independent Club, in which he reviewed
the situation in the Philippines and gave
his ideas as to the proper policy to be
pursued toward the people of those islands
by this government. In brief Mr.. Howell
takes the position that it is the duty of all
parties in this country to AID the govern
ment in forcing on the insurgents respect
for our flag. Then to establish a liberal
government there, suited to the needs of
the people. He said in part:
We have the Philippines, and the real
questionable living question--is what are
we going to do with them? To reach a
correct solution of this momentous problem
we must approach its discussion not solely
with a view of ascertaining what Is best for
us to do from a selfish standpoint; but also
with the broader and more comprehensive
recognition of our duty to ourselves to the
Filipinos and of the obligation imposed upon
world
1t seems to me there is one proposition
however, which should commend itself to
the judgment OF every one who applies
the proper standard to his countryS duty,
and who cannot look with Indifference upon
assault upon its flag, from whomsoeyer it
may come, and whatever may be the condl-
tons prompting such attack. Those who re-
gard the Islands as an undesirable and
burdensome asset should be accorded full
sincerity of motive and honesty of purpose
in the expression of their opinion; but in
the present state of affairs they should
join none the .esS heartily in the patriotic
effort of those who hold a contrary view to
sustain the government IN its declared pol
icy of removing the irebrand from the hand
of the revoutionist before treating with
i'm ING hjG finn State
Picture in your imagination the effect of
the immediate withdrawal of the strong
arm of the American people from the Phil
ippines, and the establishment, out of eX-
listing conditions, of government which
would have none other than the tribal re-
sponsibiiity on which it would rest! Where
would government end and anarchy begin?
How long won it be before tribal strife
and selfish faCLon would burst into the
fierce fury of maddened riot and lay vio
lent hands upon the foundation of civiliza-
ton and progress which has been firmly
planted the islands. and which, under
the guiding hand of American direction,
will lead their people into the broad path
of peace and prosperity?
1t is said that a high state of education
and refinement exists among a certain class
Of the Ff.ipinos. l grant this to be so, and
yet within fifty miles of Manila there are
hundreds of thousands of natives whose
garb is but one degree removed from the
costume of the period when the primeval
society; natives who can offer no better
plea for assuming the responsibilities of
citizenship and the obligations of civiliza-
ton than the Hottentots of Africa could
tender should they assume control of that
wonderfully developing continent-the argu-
ment that they and their like were there
when civilization found them.
AS cultured and as refined as may be a
very respectable portion of the Philippine
population, those who are in the enjoyment
of that higher stale of civilization would be
engulfed in the maelstrom of anarchy which
but awaits free hand to turn loose the dogs
of riot and pillage upon the very atars of
the SanctuarieS.
Our mission, after putting down the pend
ing revolution, is to educate; and then
when their people are fitted for the es-
tabliShment of a government of their own
to protect them in its maintenance until
they can protect themselves. But until then
let us pursue the even tenor of our way
working out as best We can the problem Of
destiny, putting the rest of the world on
notice. as 1t watches with eager eyes for
an opportunity to profit by our possible
misstep, that the performance of a duty
which Providence has placed in our hands
will not be shirked. Let our watchword be
Hands OFF,, to the hungry monarchies of
Europe and Hands off, ourselves only
when we shall have established a govern
ment which will be tribute to the glory
Of our institutions and a triumph of the
honesty and sincerity of our purpose.