The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-02
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR AGUINALDO.

The resolution which the Democrats of
the National House have adopted. in refer
ence to the policy TO be pursued in regard
to the Philippines, is attracting considerable
attention in political circles. because 1t is
believed to indicate the position the party
will take on the question of expansion. 1t
is as follows:
Resolved. That the United States hereby
disclaim any disposition or intention TO
exercise permanent sovereignty, Jurisdlc-
ton or control over the Philippine Islands,
and assert their determination, when an
Independent government shall have been
erected therein. TO transfer TO said govern
ment upon terms which shall be reason
able and Just all rights secured under the
cessiOn by Spain. and thereupon TO leave
the government and control of the islands
To- their people
The real interest of the foregoing resolu-
ton IS made clearer by the language of the
resolution which the caucus rejected. which
is as follows:
Resolved. That the United States Con-
ETess. as soon as the treaty of peace he
tween this government and Spain IS rati-
fled. give notice to the inhabitants of the
Philippines that it Is not our desire or
purpose to hold them under permanent
military control. or as colonial subjects.
but as soon as practicable to aid them TO
establish a republican form Of government
and To become independent and ~seIf-sus-
tanning. with such c9mmereiai and mill
may be agreed upon between US. In the
meantime we will protect both persons and
property. with the largest liberty to citi-
zens under the circumstances.
This last resolution was doubtless rejected
because it embraces the policy which the
President foreshadowed in his Boston adj
dress. and which there is every reason to
believe is cOncuTred in by Il large major
ity of the people of the United States. EN-
identity fearing that they might find them
selves in accord with the President, and
convinced that they must make an issue.
the Democrats have adopted a resolution
I'm favor OF turning over the management
Of the islands to the residents when an
independent government shall have been
erected therein As no form Of govern
ment is presented in the resolution adopted,
IL is fair to assume that they regard the
government of Aguinaldo as the one to be
recognized. His rule is certainly indie
pendent" and as that is all that is re-
quired. the House Democrats would have
the United States retire and leave the gov
eminent of the islands TO their people"
The Washington Times. which would like
10 be Democratic. stigmatizes the resolution
Of the House caucus as Democratic trea-
SON." Its common is as follows:
At a time when the country Is facing a
danger to which no one likes To give a name,
when the government is engaged I'm protect
ing lives and property In territory which
Providence has 10 It's charge. II
pleaSes tho Democratic minority IN the
House OF representative to express their
sympathy with the Tagal rebels and the
foreign Influences interested In driving US
out OF the Philippines. This active encOur-
agement TO the insurrection that our soldiers
and sailors are fighting and risking their
lives to suppress. in behalf OF national honor
and humanity, and this open invitation to
the powers of Europe to interfere with
American rights and duties amounts TO "A
crime that the American people VIII ind II
hard To forget and harder to forgive. With
the fervor of the interest We have left in
tha Democratic party we should. perhaps.
pray that the memory OF last nights work
on Capitol hill might be lost before the
presidential election OF 1863. But We offer
no such prayer. on the contrary. being
American. we register our hope ON high that
the American people. when the time comes,
will strike and spare not.
IL Aguinaldo has an agent in Canada who
can get a telegram TO him. he will not fail
10 inform his master OF the purport of the
resolution. 1t will be the most encouraging
news Aguinaldo has ever received from the
United States. 1t wiz inspire him to re-