El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-07-13
STATUS OF Philip
PINE QUESTION

By A Special Contributor.

The aggressive opponents Of the
policy of the federal adminlstra1lon In
respect to the Philippines display an
utter lack of discriminating judgment,
q reckless disregard of plain facts, or
of the logical deductions from those
facts. These people do not compre-
bend the distinction between the An
nexation of territory and the conse-
uuences which may flow from such an
act. AS in the case of Cuba or Porto
Rico, the annexation of the Philip
pines is question radically different
from the results which may flow there
from.
The acceptance of sovereignty over
the Philippines, or the annexation OF
the islands to this country, constitute
q grave question of public or colonial
policy. But the war which has follow
ed the one act--acceptance of sovereign
ty or other evil results which may at
tend the other act---annexation, con-
stitute what are termed unforeseen
consequences, or inc vitable evils. But
the line of distinction between the re-
suits which may, or do, flow from q
given line of policy, and the evil results
growing out of that policy, should be
carefully understood.
We have accepted sovereignty over
Cuba. This Is an act of public policy
colonial policy. War may follow as a
result, and would be termed an unfore-
seen consequence. an unfortunate ex-
igency, or an accident. The complete
annexation of Cuba to this country
would constitute given line of policy.
But if war should follow such an act,
that would constitute an unforeseen
event, against which ordinary pru-
dence could not guard.
1o% no In nj a
war in the Philippines, we had encoun-
tered a rebellion against our authority
in Cuba, by those who demanded i'm
mediate land unconditional indepen-
dence regardless of the consequences,
would the same opposition have been
aroused in this country in case the
government had undertaken to put
down the insurrection by armed force
as is raging in respect to the war in the
Philippines? Would war to assert
the lawful authority of the United
States in Cuba, and to protect our
government against consequences
which might flow from failure to en-
force its authority, and law .and order
in the island, be any worse than the
war which has been waged in the
Philippines?
By the acceptance of sovereignty
over the Philippines we have incurred
lnt6rndUlOu6l ODllkdGlOuS VI q grave
character, and are responsible to other
nations for the proper government OF
the islands. Such being the fact, is 1t
any less proper for US to assert our
lawful authority-and thus protect our
selves from evil consequences which
might flow from an infraction of in
ternational law by the Filipinos or 9TH
ers-in the Philippines than in Cuba or
Porto Rico?
H.I.- ,oooo+ed rrro ia ;ntorno tiop a I
obi cations, in respect to the territory
received from Spain, ordinary prud-
ence demands that we should not only
attempt to discharge such obligations
in proper manner, but also to protect
ourselves from any penalties which
might accrue under them. And that
is just what the administration is at
tempting to do, not only in the Philip
pines, but likewise in Cuba and Porto
Rico.
In connection with the ultimate set
Element of the form of government in
Cuba and the Philippines, three i'm
portant points should be taken into con-
sideration:
First. The complete asser-
ton and exercise of the authority of
this government and the establishment
of law and order in q condition pre-
requisite to the final adjustment of
political rights, or the adoption of
form of government in the territory in
question.
Second. The form of government
established in this terri
tory must conform to the spirit of
American civilization and institutions.
Third. Such government must con-
form to the standard usually adopted by
nations of the first rank. and must be
properly recognized by such nations.
This government enjoys para
mount, absolute sovereignty over the
territory received from Spain, and has
q right to demand that the future gov
eminent of such territory shall be in
with the spirit of American
with the sentiments OF the
people of this country, and calculated
to conserve their best interests. More
over, such form of government, when
ought. of right, to con-
form TO the standard usually recognize
ed by nations of the first rank.
Such being the status of our relations
with the territory over which we have
accepted, sovereignty,it follows that the
complete establishment OF the authorl-
ty of this government over the terrific
ry in question is condition. prerequi-
site to the ESTABLISHING of any form
of government therein. After war
and the overthrow of the government
of country, a military government,
fully able to assert it's authority over
the territory under it's jurisdiction, is
absolutely necessary to the successful i
esta blishment of civil government,
and the execution of it's lawful autho-
rity. !
Where, as in case of the Philippines
today, the military government is IN !
able to assert its authority absolutely
over the territory under it's jurisdic- !
tion, it 1t idle to talk OF establishment !
Of a civil government. Government
means ability to govern, to assert au-
thority, to execute laws, to render !
executive acts effective. Where a =,