The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-17
MIR. sCHURMAN's SUGGESTION.

MIR. sCHURMAN's SUGGESTION.
Mr.. schurman. the president of the
peace commission which the President sent
to the Philippines said some things in the
interview which he gave to the Associated
Press the other day that are exciting con-
| siderable comment One of them was the
following:
In my opinion. much good would be done
by declaration on the part Of Congress of
the form of government to be established
in the Philippine Islands or better stiN
let Congress establish a government for the
Philippine Islands. and have it Dut in force
in all parts and among all tribes hostile to
the United States. This would serve sew
ersl purposes. IL would distinguish be-
tween our friends and our enemies, and
treat the former according 10 their deserts.
i would also give to our enemies an ocu-
lar demonstration of free government on
the American plan. very important point
when il is remembered that the Tagalogs
claim 70 be fighting for their liberty.
II Is fair to assume that Mr.. Sehurman
would not have made the foregoing sus-
gestions II he had not got impressions
from his conversations with leading Fill
pinos that il our government would indi-
y
tended to establish in the philippines,
they would give it the thoughtful consider
alton 1t deserved and that If they found
nothing Objectionable In it they might ad-
wise its acceptance. He docs not, Of course
think that AguinaIdo and those who are in
his confidence and are actively supporting
him would accept it, They will not accept
any terms from US until they have to. But
there are thousands of educated and ndu-
entail Filipinos who are anxious for peace
and who would rather have American rule
than the rule of Aguinaldo, or any other
native IL they were sure it would be just
and liberal.
We have never yet made an official state
ment as to the kind of rule that would be
established in the Philippines. The Fill
pinos have no means of knowing whether
our rule would be an improvement on that
of Spain or not They have only the
Presidents promise that they shall have
control practically of their own local af-
fairs but how do they know that he would
keep his promise? The Spaniard made
them many promises. few of which were
kept May it not be that they have no
confidence in our promises-that they be-
Heve that as soon as we obtained full pos
session of the islands we would deal with
them pretty much as the Spanards did?
The fact must not be overlooked that they
have not been accustomed to deal with PEG
pie as positive and aggressive as we are.
Our manner in dealing with them may not
have been such as to inspire them with
confidence in our professions of friendship.
Assuming that such is the case. would it
not be advisable for Congress to take no
tice of the suggestion of Mr.. Schurman?
If 1t should make a declaration of this
country's policy in respect to the Philip
pines, and should establish in Luzon and
in other islands the form Of govern
rnent it intends the Philippines shall have,
is it not probable that we should have less
trouble in arriving at an understanding
with the Filipinos2 Clearly Mr.. Schurman
thinks so, and as he has made pretty
thorough study of the Philippine situation
his opinion is worth something.
1t Is true that through the peace COM
mission the Filipinos were offered auton-
omy, but il is doubtful if the offer was re-
garded as being anywhere near as import
ant as a declaration by Congress along the
same line would be. II is hardly probable
of course that Congress will be called to-
gether for the purpose of making such a
declaration, but lf no progress should be
made towards ending the war by the time
Congress meets in regular session, Mr..
schurman's suggestion ought to be given
very thoughtful consideration.