The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-13

DIFFERENT TREATMENT OF Gu
BANS AND FILIPINOS.

The opponents OF the policy OF the au-
ministration in the Philippine question
believe that if the Filipinos had been
assured that they would be given their
independence, the recent war there would
have been avoided.
The conditions in Cuba were ripper for
war than in the Philippine islands. and
the Cubans were restrained from conflict
because of assurances that they should
have a government of their own when
the American army could be safely with
drawn. That gave satisfaction and Sc
cured peace.
There was never any occasion for our
having an army of occupation in the Phil
ippines. If the President had not de-
parted from his original instructions to
the Paris Commissioners, the recent
bloody scenes and worse carpet-bag gov
eminent scandals would nave been avert
ed In an evil moment he listened TO
bad advice and instructed the Commas
sioners to pay twenty million dollars for
the islands. When that treaty was rati-
fed. there still remained an honorable
course if we desired to do justice. We
might have told the Filipinos that as
soon as quiet was restored they would be
permitted to establish a government of
their own of course assuming the debt
we had contracted in paying Spain to
abandon -iis already lost claim of soysa
; ereignty. Such an assurance would have
been approved by the American people,
would not have violated the spirit Of the
Monroe doctrine and would have been
in accord with our traditional spirit Of
avoiding ';entangling alliances
Instead of pursuing that policy, we
told the Filipinos in our proclamation:
1.-The supremacy of the United States
must and will be enforced throughout
every part of the archipelago. and those
who resist it can accomplish no end
other than their own ruin
Those people had been fighting for
months for the right to govern them
selves. and had almost won the victory
when Dewey appeared upon the scene.
Was it natural for them to submit with
out Il struggle, after welcoming Dewey
as an ally of all men struggling for lib
erty, when told by rs that they
could not have their independence. and
that if they did not submit to the SUI
premacy of the United States. such fail
IRE would result in their own RUM"
We must remember that the Filipinos
are far better educated and fitted for
promise Cuba that it shall be indepen-
dent and tell the residents of the Philip
pine islands that they must surrender
their hope of "a government by the con
sent of the governed" Why do we say
that the Filipinos are better fitted for
self-government than the Cubans? In am
official report to the administration,
dated August 29th. Admiral Dewey
wrote:
I'm telegram sent to the department
June % / expressed the opinion that
these people 1.-THE Filipinos) are far SUI
perior in their Intelligence, and more
capable of self-government. than the ma
tves of Cuba, and | am familiar with
both races. Further intercourse with
them has confirmed me in this opinion
When the facts are all known and
they will be known when the soldiers
return from Manila--there will be such
Indignation over the war upon the Fill
pinos as to cause the Administration to
pray for the rocks and hills to fa.. upon
it to hide it from the wrath of the peo-
pie.
1t is an unholy an unrighteous, an nm
democratic war.