The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-19
PRESIDENTS
POLICY OUTLINED
What Mckinley VIII Recommend to
Congress Regarding the Philippines
LET AGUINALD0 QUIETLY SLIDE.
Separate Government for Each Island
and a Civil Governor Over All
and War Man
To Fight.
LET AGUINALD0 QUIETLY SLIDE.

WASHINGTON. d. C.. Nov. 16-Walter
Wcllman, who undoubtedly has unusual
facilities for obtaining information In adj
vance. has telegrafhed his papers In re-
gard to the Presidents Philippine policy
os follows:
President Mckinley has put the finish
ing touches to that part Of his fOrthcom-
ing message TO Congress which pertains
to the Philippine question, and has read
It to the members OF the Cabinet to-day.
Tho President makes no specific recem-
mendation 10 Congress, being careful
throughout % regard the future Of the
Philippines as q question for the legisla-
tive rather than the executive branch OF
the government. But he does. IN a gen.
eral way. suggest the advisability Of the
passage by the two houses of joint reso-
luton declaring IL to be the purpose or
the United States 10 subdue the insurrec-
ton. in case the instruction be still IN
existence, and then 10 give the Philip
pines good government and the largest
measure OF local self-gOvernment which
they may appear worthy OF. Besides this.
the President reviews the whole Philip
pine episode from Deweys victory 20 the
present day, and IN "a manner so frank
and explicite that tho members Of the
cabinet are enthusiastic I'm its praise Thoy
believe the President has stated the case
so well that when the country reads his
presentation Of IT there will be practically
an end Of opposition, H. indeed. the OPP
position 20 his policy has not already
disappeared.
There IS here an abiding confidence that
by the time Congress gets down 70 bust
ness the rebellion I'm the Philippines will
have become a thing of the past. II would
not surprise the President or the Secre-
tary Of war 10 learn any hour now that
Aguinald0 the George Washington Of
the East" had thrown away his hatchet
and taken French leave OF his beloved
Philippines. Indeed. II is perfectly true
that this would be more acceptable news
than tidings OF his capture Nothing
could better please the officials Of this
government than the flight Of the agile
adventurer 10 Hongkong OF New Zealand
or any other seaport beyond the jurisdlc-
ton OF Uncle Sam. This is, also about
what IS expected. No efforts would be
made 20 follow him mp and gain possess
sion Of his body. dead or alive. His would
be good rildance.
AGUINALDO AFRAID.
Doubtless Aguinaldo believes the Amer
leans would shoot or hang him II they
caught him. and this IS the reason why
IL IS believed that he WIN escape M the
first opportunity If Boz has nor already
done So lie probably thinks that if
caught he Will get what he deserves. but
he is not familiar with the American way
" doing such things. lie does not know
that even the most vigorous supporters
or the war against him would not harm
a hair Of his head but would give him the
benefit Of the doubt as % whether or not
no was bandit or a patriot, and let him
go. That IS the American way. but it
ls hoped here Aguiualdo does not under
stand IT. and that he VIII HE himself far
away. As a captive he might prove 10
be sort Of elephant on our hands.
NEAR AT HAND.
While II is true the time has not come
for serious discussion as to the details
Of the future government OF the Philip
pines that phase OF the situation may be
nearer at hand than we think. In this
connection it is interesting TO know that
I'm administration circles there IS n sort
Of asreen ent as 10 what our policy should
be- IL remains 20 be seen whether the
administration view viii be the congress
siOnal view, but 70 Is fair 20 predict that
this is not improbable The administra-
ton view, as It has been discussed al
cabinet meetings and in private CONVEX
sation, IS to place over the archipelago
governor with absolute authority I'm
all civil affairs. leaving the military
under the direction of an experienced
general his duties being confined 10 thu
suppression Of any disorder that may
arise. The various important Islands are
10 be kept apart, each under a govern
.
within those island 10 be developed as a
local autonomy only, its only relations 70
the government OF the archipelago being
through the governor az Manila.
SEGREGATION OF ISLANDS.
In other words. this plan calls for
segregation Of the islands as political
communities. because they are already
distinct and apart In some Of the radi-
cal characteristics of their people. in their
tribal sentiment and their language. A
government that will be good for one Of
the islands might not be good for an
other. The methods that proved efiica-
ciOus I'm one might be wholly unsuited
20 its neighbor. Each could thus be dealt
with according 10 us circumstances and
needs. OF course, no trade barriers
would be erected between the islands,
no impediments 10 intercourse. but each
would be placed upon its own bottom
as an embryo state gradually working
its way toward more perfect civiliza-
ton and a more perfect form OF local
self-government. In time these various
states may be welded together in a Phil
ippine nation. either with absolute SOW
erelgntv or with something very closely
approaching IT. But that can only come
generations hence, when the education OF
the people in the ART of self-goyernment
and their character as a nation shall
have been shaped by the guiding hand
q - r-.-l..A 49, into s0methlng strong