The labor world., 1899-05-06
n OCTOR what is your opinion OF
our war with the Filipinos?

A< >-'>
1t is an incident of the war with
Spain. We took up the cause of Cuba
rs a work of humanity with no
thought of the PHILIPPINES. Mckinley
Warded the war off as long as posi-
bic. He dreaded its far-reaching con-
sequences. but the hot headed anti
imperialists of today drove him into
it. and in the course of settlement the
! Philippine Islands came into our pos
session.
Yes. but wouldn't it have been bet
ter when Dewey had destroyed the
Spanish fleet at Manila for him to
have left Manila at that time and
turned the Islands over to the natives?
1t must be borne in mind that a
large share of the natives are unciv-
ilizcd. In fact, portions of the native
inhabitants on the Philippines are a
most barbarous and savage people,
actually killing and feastjng upon I'M
fortunate seamen and others who may
be cast upon those islands.
The natives in and about Manila
are yet upon the plane Of bow and ar
row warfare until very recently. They
are very uncertain in character. When
our war with Spain ended and the
Spanish troops left the Islands, a
large number of Spanish, American,
English. German, French and people
Of other nationalites with large prop
er1y interests at stake, were at the
mercy Of the natives. These natives
had long been waiting for the oppor
tunity to get possession of Manila
and with their savage nature, a gen.
eral massacre Of the white people and
confscation of all their property
would have been the probable result.
Under those circumstances it be-
came necessary that our military au-
thortes protect the white people in
Manila. and we did what every civil
i1ed nation should have done under
ccled to establish order and protection
for every inhabtant.
At this juncture the natives made
an onslaught on our army; turned
traitors to those who had come to aid
them. Had they been successful in
their assaults upon us the destruc-
tion Of property and the slaughter of
people in Manilla would have been
what follows when you let loose an
1ncivilized, angry mob seeking re-
venge.
We were thrown upon the defensive
and that has been our condition from
the time the Filipnos first turned
upon us. Our government has not
thclcast thought Of injuring the ma
tivcs Of the PHILIPPINE Islands. Our
hope is only to carry free schools and
all the benefits Of high civilization
to them.
That may be true, but is it right to
proceed to govern that people without
their consent?
>lI history shows that a large por-
ton Of he inhabitants on earth arc
governed WilIou, their consent. An
c;vn1 hist DRY is rrpcte with accounts
Of stronger nations conGucrng the
| weaker. 1t has ever been so: it will
ever be 50. The stronger must rule.
'Ehc fittcs1 will survive.
The fathers Of 1ir contemporaries :
in New England landed ON our shores
and proceeded to take TIE country
from the Indians wit hou' the consent
OF he governed.
We have r\pandr'l i;,n little NrN
I.rvlunu suulhWarI to The gulf Of
MrAiru. and mort Inward 10 Bchrjng
Strait. We have. for Il century, been
rXiandin@ over new lands and eNcr-
c:>inw uu1 huritN over their peoples
without the consent of the governed.
We will continue this Expansion.
~ far i1lrN: a. We can rcrollcr1 one
Of the copies in or Wri1n" books
was. "Kiu4,Ion~ n"l c:uWhS Will ll-
! tinll,riv fail. That j. destiny. .\>
! rN;fi<uj:"M n,I,uI,cr~ Il republican gov