The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1899-08-02
PLAN TRUTH
Told About AIR. McKinley's War BY a
HongkOng Newspaper

There can be no possible room for
doubt that the Americans will ultimate
ly gain The day in the Philippines, but
The present attitude Of the Filipihos
leads one 10 believe that it will only be
gained ty war of determination
Aud the question naturally arises as "a
whether the establishment of American
rule throughout the islands is worth
such an expensive war an also whether
The ends to he gained would Justify the
means.
The United States, we are told. Is
now husi.y bringing the blessings Of q
free aud republican government to the
FilirinoS. AT least that is supposed IL
ne the reason for subduing the Philip
ninrs. But the Filipinosaapparanily DC
not want to be liberated any more than
hey have been, and are quite ready
and willing TO look after themselves
and to dispense with the aid of the
United States except as a protecting
power
Ii all that the Americans aim at is
he establishments: OF All independent
government under the protection of the
United States, it does not appear to us
that it is worth while TO waste such 3
large amount of money aud such hun
dreds of lives in fighting the people
whom they are apparently so anxious
10 h, friend
1t would be far cheaper, aud we be-
lieye far more satisfactory to vel J.,
large proportion Of the people OF the
United states, were honorable terms
arranged with the Filipinos, and this
war, which can certainly bring no glory
to the American nation, brought to .
satisfactory close.
As We have frequently pointed out
the whole blame for the present situa
ton in the Philippines is attributable
to the total lack Of policy displayed 10y
the Americans from the first. They
lid not know their own minds and al
lowed the Filipinos to sea this plainly
What wonder then that the Filipinm
should mistrust them nov?
Firs', Agninaldo was to he treated a
the trusted ally Of the Americans, an,
he WAS 30 treated. Then arrived TN,
American troops. and the FIhpin,4
were Ignored. Nextthe Fllipinos wer'
not offered any opportunity Of express
ing their views OH the future of thei
country prior to the ratification of tn
peace treaty with Spain, and Of all tina
followed we are only too well aware.
TIE Americans have all along mad'
the mistake of locking upon the Fl
ipinos as savagrs and treating them a
>ucl,, and now it is too late 10 meme
matters
Al the commencement of the Span
isl American War the Americans hat
the trust aud respect Of the Filipinoi
and a very small modicum Of consi,lera
ton aud diplomacy would have enable
them 10 have retained those frieiiiI
feelings aud to have been to-day i
peaceful occupation of the country.
1t must not be fEought that we ar
antagOnistic tn the American cause
Such is not the case bat we must SAY
aud say plainly, that We are sorry 1
see that instead Of the Filipinos bein
introduced to the benefits of peace an
just and civilized form of government
they are now likely to- be cursed by
war of determination. and all on IA,
count of the hungling and nismanag'
ment OF certain officials Of tie Unite
States.
Had matters bee left IN the hands
Admiral Dewey we do not for nj
ment believe that things would hay
come to such pass His uprigl
sailors nature would have guided bin
Alright. But wien matters are dea
with by Consuls and diplouiaiisis VIII
are lar from the scene OF artioE an
have no knowledge, Of The rouniry ,
people TO be dealt with, then disasl err
only too frequently the iesu.t. a. q
fairs in the Philippines have sh"wn
Hongkong Telegraph.