The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-01
a STRONG Is1PER1ALrsT PLEA

n.
Beyond all comparison, the ablest state
merit of The cause of imperialism yet made
IS that just formulated by Prof. Schur-
man in his address at the opening of the
scholastic year at Cornell university It
is at once broad minded and plausible,
Indicative of the closest study of the
problems which the possession of the
Philippines by the United States presents
to this people; while being, at the same
time, a strong special plea for the i'm
perialistic cause.
Narrowing the question involved down
TO one as to what shall be done with the
Philippines, now that we have them
Prof. Schurman advances to the consid-
Grafton OF the true colonial policy which
1t is feft to this people to pursue But
why colonial policy at all? President
Sc1ulman starts out with a very forci-
BILE reputation of the expressions town.
ershiF and possession, as applied to
your relationship towards the Philippines.
But how we can prepare to enter upon
any form o. colonial government which
is not predicated on either ownership or
possession is something which the ordi-
nary understanding fails to compass.
There is. to be sure, some dispute as to
the fitness of the Tagalos for self-gov-
ernment. But by far the greater weight
OF opinion runs toward an affirmance of
this t!tleSs, at least of that division Of
tie Philippine people. Prof Schurman
does not stop to seriously negative the
claim OF fitness His ultimate policy
provides for the establishment of civil
service system vastly more perfect than
anything of the kind which we may he
said to possess today, which shall oper-
ate in the Philippines. His distinction
between possession Of the islands and
possession of the government of the ISL
ands does not seem to have much sub
stance in it,
Does Englands system of colonial gov
elnment in what are termed the crown
colonies involve no more than mere tenn
porary possession of the government of
those colonies? If the Taga9os and their
kindred races OF the islands are not tn
be treated as peoples possessing inherent
right to and inherent fitness for self
government, how is it proposed merely
10 act as temporary custodians Of their
government without exercising absolute
jurisdict!onal power over the lands thew
fnhabit? How long does Prof. Schur-
man think We may be expected to hold
the mild sway of preparatory govern
mont over the various races of the Phil
ippines pending the arrival of all Of them
at such conditions Of civilized life as ad
init of their countries and the govern
ment Of their countries being transferred
to their absolute control?
No one pretends that England looks fer
ward seriously to the ultimate control
Of their own country and their own gov
eminent by the hundreds of millions of
her colonial subjects iii the East Indies
or elsewhere who are not members of
the Caucasian race, Prof Schurman
says there shall be no defamation of the
native races, no subsection of them in
the offensive form OF that expression.
no enrichment of the United States or
its citizens at the expense of the colonists
ACCIDENTALLY this may be all right but
1t Is not in human nature that in prac-
teal operation it shall be so.
All of Prof. schurman's philosophizine
on the Philippines amounts to just this
and no more-that we shall have and
hold the country for an indefinite time
and under colonial system. SO that in
the end we rnay~either incorporate them
in our own politicaf system or else In
vest them with political independence
And we ourselves are to be the absolute
judges in the last event as to when. if
ever, these people are to be made po-
litically independent or admitted into Che