The times., 1899-02-16
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 10. 1899.
Why We Must Fight.


Those who criticise the Administration
for its Philippine policy would find it hard
TO give reasons that would bear impartial
examination. II is not just to say that
the Filipinos are struggling for freedom
as the American colonists did, and that the
American army is employed in their
slaughter IN order 10 impose on them a
yoke that would be CALLING to men who
desire 10 be free.
II should be remembered that the Filipi-
nos who are now under arms have always
been subjected TO the expressions of Spain;
that they have been denied all means of
education and deprived OF all the instru-
ments of material prosperity. More than
nine-tenths of them are admitted by these
same critics to be ignorant, indolent and
easily duped, which is the assertion OF
every intelligent observer who has visited
the islands. The chief, indeed the only,
reason urged against the annexation of the
Philippines is that it would be impossible
to fit the majority of these people for citi-
zenship in the Republic. 1t is obvious,
therefore. that they are incapable of self
government.
They are not fighting for freedom, but
against it. Utterly deluded by the mis-
representations SO carefully invented by
Aguinaldo, they are engaged in a war for
the kingship of that ambitious adventurer.
Only few persons in this country foster
the notion that he has any other design
than to become a dictator. He has, in ef-
feet proclaimed himself that.
II is and has been, and ii always must
be, the aim of the American people to be-
stow on these or any other people for
whose welfare they become responsible
the fullest measure of liberty they are
qualified 10 enjoy. To deny this is to deny
our devotion to the principles that underlie
our own institutions.
Here, then, on the one hand, is an am
bilious adyenturer who seeks TO enslave
the Filipinos by charging that the Ameri
cans propose TO restore Spanish methods of
oppression; while on the other is the
American people whose purposes are out
lined by the Presidents proclamation-who
intend TO preserve the islands 10 the cause
of liberty. That so many OF the Filipinos
have cast their lot with Aguinaldo is
proof of the ease with which they can be
deceived.
The Americans are blamed by the COM
paratiyely few critics for what has ben
called a ruthless slaughter of men who
are fighting for their liberty. This is 10
ignore the essential facts. That the
Americans were patient and enduring be-
yond all parallel is not to be doubted. BY
the highest officer and the humblest pri-
vate who has told of the experiences of
the army it is affirmed that the soldiers
at Manila bore insults and refused TO take
advantage of actual assaults, and did not
even protest when the Filipinos construct
ed earthworks from which to deal death
when the threatened attack on our lines
should be made. They allowed the rebels
TO retain possession of the water works
and to menace the city with water fam
inc. There was positive evidence that a
date had been set for an assault on the
Americans and three days before it was
actually made. Aguinaldo issued procla-
nation that was virtually declaration Of
war II is accurate history that they
hoped to surprise the Americans; that
there was planned simultaneous upris-
III Tue tits tils ao7dSSIhdNioh vi bhI
officers; and that when the attempt to
pass the sentries was foiled. the rebels in
stantly directed heavy and general fire
from the works they had been permitted
10 raise.
There was only one alternative If we
were not 10 fight. That was to surrender
the army to Aguinaldo as prisoners and 10
abandon all attempts 10 establish good or
der and the stable government which even
that antiquated Federalist, Senator Hoar,
admits is our duty. The Filipinos we're
the aggressors and anybody who denies It
does so without the support of any au-
thority who has a knowledge Of the facts.
except Aguinaldo and his agents, whose
interest lies in a Misrepresentation OF the
truth Our army had either to fight or to
give up the Philippines TO a self-appointed
dictator who has no care for the welfare
Of the Filipinos, but only for his own sell
fish ayarice and ambition.
Our duty to civilization, our agreement
with Spain at Paris. our duty TO the FIJI
pinos and 10 ourselves. all compel us, at
the least, 10 maintain our authority in the
Philippines until the interests OF the in
habitants and of foreign residents are Sc
cure under some government. Aguinaldo
has no claim TO supremacy. He rules by
NO title except the consent Of the Tagalos,