Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1899-05-11
FUTURE GOVERNMENT
OF The PHILIPPINES
Rule Of the Islands the Principal
Topic Of Discussion in
Washington.
VIEWS OF VARIOUS PUBLIC MEN
One Thing Most of Them Agree On
10 That the Filipinos Must 10
Thoroughly Whipped--.
Extra Session Talk.

AOssGbsAsJ
Extra Session Talk.
Washington, May 10-The probable
form of government for the Philip
pines is the principal topic in official
quarters here. The. anti-expan-
sionists declare that anything
is better than military form
of government, and even If the
commissioners do not contemplate ul-
innate independence for the Filipinos
it will be more in keeping with our
institutions to control the archipelago
through civil than military governs
ment. Here are the views of num-
Der of public men concerning the form
of government for the Philippines:
Senator Wetmore, of Rhode Islands:
I am opposed to making any conces-
sions to the Filipinos until they lay
down their arms and submit to our
jurisdiction. They are not capable of
not to be trusted at the present time.
are licked in fight they talk about
making peace. Their pleas for peace
are not sincere, for while they are talk
ing about peace their forces are being
recruited and strengthened for an
other attack. ] am therefore in favor
of giving them good thrashing and
teaching them to respect our laws and
recognize our power. Now, whether
that can be accomplished under q
military or a civil form of government
to the best advantage l am not pre-
pared to say. We must use force with
them until they learn from experience
how powerful we are"
Senator Elllins: I'VE must first give
those fellows good licking and teach
them to respect the power and dignity
of the United States gdT rnment.
am not prepared to say wnat form OF.
government we should establish there
That must be determined by congress-
1t has been demonstrated that these
savages are not capable of governing
themselves, and until they learn some
common sense am in favor of ruling.
them with the strong arm of the
United States. AS understand 1t the
present plan is to utilize such natives
as are enough advanced in our way OF
doing things in the formation Of civil
and local municipalities. All of these
are to be under the supervision OF q
supreme military power. Such form
of government may turn, out all right
but for my part these people will first
have to be brought to u realization OF,
our power before they are entrusted
with our confidence or assistance"
Senator Chandler: 81 am willing to,
trust the matter to the wise Judgment
of the president until congress can as
semble and agree upon some perma-
nent form of government for the Phil-'
ippines. In the meantimesI desire to-
see the invincibility OF American;
arms and navy upheld all over the;
world, and do not believe the great
mass of the American people are in!
sympathy with Mr.. Hoar and Others,
who are continually crying out against
the policy that is being pursued by our.
government in the Philippines.
Whether we shall have military or o.
civil form of government there is q.
matter to be determined by congress-.
Whether we shall permanently or tens
porarily occupy these islands is SUBJ
ject for congress to consider.
ut has been demonstrated that the
Filipinos are not competent to govern
themselves according to our ideas Of
what constitutes good government,
and until they have progressed to a
greater extent in the direction of civ
ilization am in favor of ruling them
with force. 1 do not thirst for Filipino
blood, but am less anxious to see the
blood of our American army poured!
out upon those far away fields"
Senator Hawley: 1--WE will have to-
maintain military form of govern,
ment there until until the Filipinos'
are brought to realization of our
Strength. 1t is wise in my judgment
to employ some of the well disposed
natives in the establishment of the To-
cal governments in those islands, but
l am not in favor of general ADAM
donment of the control over those
islands at present. 1t is clear that
force must be used to subdue them,,
just as General Wood has done at San
tiago. think General Wood has the
correct idea of how to govern that
class of people. Rigid discipline, well
seasoned with force that cannot be
mistaken. If we had fifty General
Woods out in the Philippines believe
that we would bring those people to
their senses much quicker and teach
them to bow to the superior power OF
our government.
''In view of the probable settlement
of the Philippine question, told the
president that 1 believed it would be
wise for congress to be assembled in
extra session so that the whole sub
ject might be discussed before the
middle of next year, which will be the
case if we wait until the ordinary date
for the meeting of congress. 1t will
take until the middle of january next
to organize the house, hence I am in
favor of an extra session of congress"