Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-05
WHITE MANS BURDEN.
Problem oC Providing Revenue to sus-
tCin imperialism.

80 AAAtfN AhAT'
Boston Transcript.
We are just on the threshold Of new rela-
tions with our refractory subjects OF the
Philippines. II has been found compara-
lively easy to shell out Ngarrote bowmen
and even the McstizCs. better armed with
the Mauser rifle. There can be no cause to
doubt the result Of any conflict between our
troops, backed by the guns OF the navy. and
the natives, In open warfare the United
states can make short work OF them. and
our successes In all battles and skirmishcs
up to date have caused many to assume that
there IS not likely to be much further
trouble. We wish that this might be so.
Doubtless the condition OF the Filipinos
would be much more agreeable to them
selves as well as TO us I'm a state of peace
than in a state Of war. But as they do not
seem likely to let us decide that point for
them, hostilities will probably continue as
long as matters are on their present basis.
The microbe Of independence appears to
be in a remarkably healthy and active state
in those islands. The natives have tried
conclusions as between powers, and find
themselves ridiculously outclassed. But
they know a game at which they are mas
tiers, and unless they are more broken
spirited than is their custom, even after re-
verses, they will play it to the finish, unless
our attitude toward them changes. They
understand guerrilla warfare from long serv-
Ice in 1t, and the conditions there are very
favorable for Its practice. This is demoraliz-
ing to the best troops, an inglorious serv-
ice, which keeps soldiers doing police duty,
exposed to worrying dangers from ambush
and disease and enjoying few if any oppor-
~tunities for military distinction. The time
is near Mt hand plSn whom tho prtrntin
and fatal effects of a tropical climate must
be severely felt by troops from temperate
regions.
This is the prospect that we are called
upon Immediately to face. All this would
be serious enough even IL the question Of
ways and means did not enter at all into
the problem. But that consideration Is as
suming graver and graver aspects. We
have not thought upon that point very
deeply. We have been watching the quarry
SO intently that we have lost sight Of the
tax upon our strength and resources
which is involved in running it down. a
short time ago n local contemporary chal-
lenged Senator Hoar's estimate that our
imperial policy would cost us 5000, 600, 900 a
year and figured the financial responsibility
involved as low as $50, 900, 900. In his recent
speech in Boston, which this same contem-
fO"S "A'NN W ANE'ib az NulS pOlul, NbltTul
Grosvenor of the presidents party urged
upon his hearers serious consideration of
the question how $500, OOO, 900 yearly addi-
tional revenue can be raised" He had no
opinion to offer. He had faith in the coun-
try.
Certainly, General Grosvenor is not going
to present this problem in a more formida-
Bile light than he thinks necessary. His es-
Innate is likely to be conservative. There is
no theory, but a very stern condition that
confronts us. How are we to deal with it?
There Is many a statesman besides General
Grosvenor who would like a practical an
swer to that question. According to Mr..
Canuon's figures the deficit at the end of the
current fiscal year will be $159, 900, 900, not
including the $780, 900, 900 to be paid to Spain
for the Philippines or the $25, 900, 600 or more
which We must pay our own citizens for
claims against Spain which we have as
sumed. This almost appalling showing has
side-tracked for the time being the canal
bill and the Hanna subsidy bill.
How is all this to be provided for? Sena-
Scott of West Virginia rather as
touished a gathering of New York business
men a short time ago by giving his en-
phatic opinion that the revenue taxes had
to stay. There does not seem to be
any doubt about it. The situation makes
their retention imperative. Not only that,
but they must be extended or re-enforced by
some new form of taxation. There is only
one other form that suggests itself, and all
men with incomes know what that is. 1t is
a tax that they dread. 1t is a tax that could
be, and doubtless would be, fought off under
ordinary conditions. But it seems almost
inevitable and not far in the future, as the
demands of the future are now mapped out.
If we are to enjoy the new dance we must
pay the piper.