The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-16
A Specimen Of Democratic States
manship.

The resolution concerning the Philippines
introduced in the House OF Representatives
on Thursday by Mr.. WILLIAMS OF Missis-
sippi Is understood to represent the posi-
ton on the question OF the Philippines
which has been adopted by Democratic
leaders in Congress. In brief, 1t promises
to withdraw our land and sea forces upon
the establishment OF peace and the In
| auguration OF a constitutional government
or governments by the people OF the
islands, but only on certain conditions.
Now. what are these conditions? They
are that this Filipino Government shall
| agree to pay back to US the twenty million
dollars we paid under the treaty with Spain;
shall give to US naval station and coaling
stations, with sovereignty over them. and
| shall grant us In perpetulty free access to
all its ports. The resolution also promises
American protection to this Filipino Govern
| ment against any foreign interference or
aggression, regarding it "as an unfriendly
manifestation against the United States;"
In other words, to assume all the dangers
and Responsibilities OF a protectorate over
II, treating its quarrel as our own, for ten
years, but only on the conditions that the
Gov eminent and people Of said islands
shall surrender" into our keeping during
that period the "entire question OF their
foreign relations" and shall pay the cost
OF the measures OF protection required,
civil and military. taken "at the request OF
said Government"
Thus. a resolution which starts out by
declaring that ct has always been our
intent and purpose to recognize the in
al enable rights OF the Flip nos to self
government and national independence"
proceeds practically to deny such rights to
them. Instead Of leaving them to deter
mine OF their free will what they will do
as concerns US, 1t imposes conditions on
them which at once restrict what 1t de-
scrbes as their inalienable rights"
Thereafter 1t proposes to put them under
our tutelage for ton years, making Of them
q vassal State under our suzerainty.
Now, Is not that practically what we are
doing already? AS fast as instruction
ceases and our troops advance and hold
positions permanently representative
Filipino gov rnments are established under
our protection. When peace Is restored
generally to tho islands by the cessa-
ton Of the armed instruction, these gov
ernments will be extended throughout
them. under our protection. As In the
Democratic resolution. this protection now
requires us to defend the Fillpinos against
foreign Interference or aggression and gives
to us the control OF "the entire question of
their foreign relations" No foreign power
can now assail the Philippines without
assailing the United States. The whole
force Of America is already behind them.
as It would have TO be II tho FilIplnos
accepted the terms OF this resolution and
surrendered into our keeping the control of
their foreign relations.
Now we demand the cessation OF the Agu-
naldo Instruction ms condition prece-
dent TO the peaceful tutelage ofthe Fillpinos
In representative government or govern.
ments, and the Democratic resolution ike
wise makes the establishment OF peace" n
prerequisite to,the recognition OF their in
alienable rights to " self-governmcnt and
national Independence" but this recognl. |
ton ID only to be granted on the condi- |
tioh that certain concessions OF sovereignty |
over the naval station and the coaling |
stations arc granted to u.s. Moreover,
the resolution requires OF them tho !
surrender" to us OF the very first and dis |
tihguishing attribute OF independent SOW
erelGnty, or the right OF conducting and |
controlling foreign relations.
Practically. therefore. as we have said,
tn" political condition of tho Fillpiuos under |
tho terms OF the Democratic resolution ia
not changed from what II now Is; their
political rights are no more recognized.
practically We should assume the whole