The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-12
THE PLAIN TRUTH
Told About the Philippine War by a
Hong Kong Newspaper.
TFrom the Hong Kong Telegraph.

[From the Hong Kong Telegraph
There can be no possible room for
doubt that the Americans will ulti-
mateIy gain the day in the Philippines
but the present attitude of the Filipinos
leads one to believe that it will only be
gained by a war of determination And
the question naturally arises as to
whether the establishment OF American
rule throughout the islands is worth
such an expensive war and also wheth-
er the ends to be gained would justify
the means.
The United States, we are told, is now
busily bringing the blessings Of free
and republican government to the FIJI
ipinOs. At least that is supposed to be
the reason for subduing the Philippines.
But the F11p1nOS apparently do not
I want to be liberated any more than
they have been, and are quite ready
and willing to look after themselves
and to dispense with the aid of the
United States except as a protecting
power.
If all that the Americans aim at is
the Establishment of an independent
government under the protection Of the
United States, it does not appear to US
that it is worth while to waste such
large amount Of money and such hun
dreds Of lives in fighting the people
whom they are apparently so anxious
to befriend
It would be far cheaper, and we be-
Heve far more satisfactory to a very
large proportion of the people of the
United States, were honorable terms
arranged with the Filipinos, and this
war, which can certainly bring no
glory to the American nation, brought
to a satisfactory close.
As we have frequently pointed out,
the whole blame for the present situa-
ton in the Philippines is attributable
to the total lack of policy displayed by
the Americans from the first They did
not know their own minds and allowed
the FilipinOs to see this plainly. What
wonder then that the Filipinos should
mistrust them now?
First, AguinaldO was to be treated a.
the trusted ally of the Americans, and
he was so treated. Then arrived the
American troops, and the Filipinos
not offered any opportunity of express
ing their views on the future of their
country prior to the ratification of the
peace treaty with Spain, and of all that
followed we are only too well aware.
The Americans have all along made
the mistake of looking upon the Fill
pinOs as savages and treating them a S
such, and now it is too late to mend
matters.
At the commencement Of the Spanish
American war the Americans had the
trust and respect of the FilipinOs, and
a very small mOdlcum or consideration
and diplomacy would have enabled
them to have retained those friendly
feelings and to have been today in
peaceful occupation of the country.
It must not be thought that we are
antagOnistic to the American cause.
Such is not the case; but we must say,
and say plainly. that we are sorry to
see that instead of the FilipinOs being
introduced to the benefits of peace and
just and civilized form of government,
they are now likely to be cursed by
war OF determination, and all on ac-
count of the bungling and mismanage-
ment Of certain officials of the United
States.
Had matters been left in the hands
OF Admiral Dewey we do not for a mo-
ment believe that things would have
come to such a pass. His upright sail
or's nature would have guided him
Alright But when matters are dealt
with by consuls and diplOmatists who
are far from the scene of action and
have no knowledge of the country or
people to be dealt with, then disaster
is only too frequently the result, as at
fairs in the Philippines have shown.