The labor world., 1899-10-14


phans both in this country and in the
Philippine Islands. Yet the fighting
between our troops and the Filipinos
will cease Immediately if our govern
ment will reaffirm the principle enun-
ciated to the Cubans, namely, indepen-
dence as soon as a stable government
is established. II this announcement
were made, our troops would rest on
their arms. holding the vantage-points
already possessed, and await the out
come. Until stable government shoulc
be established by the natives. our
troops would continue their occupancy
and if for considerable time there
should be fighting among the natives
themselves, or failure to recognize
the rules of international law, then our
forces would intervene.
Why not adopt this policy? There
is no valid reason for refusing it, and
there was no valid reason for refusing
it at the close of the Spanish-Ameri-
can war; The question came squarely
before the senate of the United States
in the following resolution:
Resolved, further, that the United
States hereby disclaim any disposition
or intention to exercise permanent
sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control
over the people of said islands, and as
sert their determination, when sta
BILE and Independent government shall
have been erected therein, entitled in
the judgment of the governmnt Of the
United States to recognition as such,
to transfer to said government. upon
terms which shall be reasonable and
just all rights secured under the ces-
sion by Spain, and thereupon to leave
the government and control OF the ISL
ands to their people"
The policy enunciated in this resolu-
tion-the Bacon resolution, as it is
called-was voted down by the republic
can leaders. The ballot stood a tie,
and the president of the senS te-the
vice president Of the United States
cast his vote against the resolution.
Many of those who spurned this policy
and thereby brought on the Philippine
war, were among those who voted
against similar declaration as to the
Cubans. Among those who voted down
the Bacon resolution were Senator
Hanna, chairman of the republican ma
tional committee; Senators Foraker of
Ohio; Plat of New York, Elkins of
West Virginia, :Penrose of Pennsylva-
MIA, Burrows and Mcmillan Of Alger's
state, Allison and Gear of Iowa, Da-
Wis and Nelson of Minnesota, Spooner
of Wisconsin. Cullom and Mason of H.
linois, Thurston of Nebraska, Baker of
Kansas, Mcbride ana Simon of Ore
gon, Wilson Of Washington, Carter
and Mantle of Montana, Hansbrough
of North Dakota, and Wellington of
Maryland; and the president Of the
senate.
In the house of representatives the
republican leaders did not permit the
question of Philippine independence to
come to vote, but the democrats,
populists and silver republicans held
caucus and adopted resolution SIM
liar in effect to the Bacon resolution.
Yet the republican leaders, including
the president, evade the discussion of
this central point-the point that
marks the departure from the princi-
pie Of self-bovernment to that of des-
potism: from a republic to an empire.
President Mckinley. at the banquet OF
the Boston Home Market club, said
that we either had to do as we were
doing or draw out and leave the ISL
anders to themselves, thereby conceal
ing the middle course proclaimed in the
case of Cuba, namely, that of remain
ing on the island until a stable govern
ment should be established. Why this
evasion of the point at issue if it can
be satisfactorily answered?
When forced to answer the point 1t
is usually said that the Filipinos are
incapable of establishing a stable gov
erenment. We answer, Why not an
nounce the principle upon which self
government rests, and thus range our
selves with the republics instead OF
despotic states? There is no answer
that can be given that will conform to
the principle of self-government. The
selfish interests of millionaire fran
chise-gra bbers and of those other cap
italists who control the machine of the
party in power that have succeeded in
carrying public opinion as far as they
have only because they have concealed
the true question at issue.
There are a few individuals who
honestly believe that we can give the
people in the Philippine Islands bet
ter set of national laws than they
would make for themselves, while we
will permit them to make their own
local laws within certain limits. The
answer is two fold at least. If the
people of those islands are incapable
of establishing a stable government,
then we are all agreed that the United
States shall make their own laws until
such time as they are capable or es-
tablishing a stable government; but
we must announce to the FVipinos ana
to the world that independence will
granted when a stable government IS
established. This is anti-imperialism.
If the people of the Philippines are to-
day capable of establishing a stable
government. then they should be en-
couraged to do so in order that they
may make their own laws and there
by receive liberty and greater
prosperity than is the case where any
body of people residing in another
territory make their laws for them.
The dominant power in the Philippines
will know what is best for themselves,
while so long as their laws are made
by people residing in another country
the foreigners will work for their own
interests and therefore against the IN
, , terests of those whom they rule. Such
is the history of the world.
But" it is said, there Is struggle
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