The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1899-12-01
PROTEST BY SHERMAN.
UcI<inIey's Former Secretary Of
state Condemns Presidents
Philippine Policy.

. of'ss
Hon. John Sherman, although poiit-
lcally "as one dead, yet speaketh." lie
has broken silence 10 say that he has
not changed his views concerning the
Philippines.
He does not want 10 he considered as
unfriendly 20 the administration, that
not being his sentiment. but he is still
opposed TO the idea OF this country
holding the Philippines and subiugat-
Ing the natives. lie is firmly Of the be-
lief that we have no business in the is
lands.
When the expansion idea fired the
country Mr.. Sherman was criticised for
his stand against a policy OF conquest
in the Philippines. and was called I'M
patriotic because he refused TO see the
wisdom or justice OF taking possession
OF territory to which we were not right
ly entitled. Now, he thinks, there has
been a revulsion Of feeling. and in evil
aence Of this he mentions the receipt
of a number OF letters from me n OF high
standing in public life who were at first
| disposed TO criticise him for his Philip
nine views, but who now cheerfully
acknowledge that through moral con-
viction they are forced to agree with
him.
1t can hardly be said that Mr.. Sher-
man is in President McKinley's conf
dence. The circumstances under which
the venerable Ohio statesman entered
and left the presidents cabinet tend
TO prevent any confid dental, or even
cordial relations between the two.
When Mr.. Sherman saws he thinks the
president has come to the sober Sec
ond thought and lis now disposed to
avoid further bloodshed in the islands
and will readily submit TO any honora-
BILE arrangement to the end of reestab-
fishing peace" il should be taken as
what Mr.. Sherman thinks the president
ought to do rat her than what President
Mckinley thinks about it himself.
Mr.. Sherman says we have no moral
right to cede the islands to another
power. because they do not belong "a
us. We have not even the right 70
claim the islands by conquest. because
we have not conquered them. We have
no more moral right 10 claim the Philip
pines than we have to claim Cuba. We
cannot govern the Filipinos according
to our standards. because they have
their own customs. habits and laws and
have no sympathie in common with the
Anglo-Saxon. 1t VIII be impossible FOL
us 10 hold them in subsection without
large armies there, entailng an enor
nous expenditure of money.
But what would Mr. Sherman hav,
us do under present conditions? His
idea is that we should withdraw oui
troops. gradually or at once. and turf
the islands over to the natives. I'm
stead of sending soldiers let us senC
statesmen to the Philippines. men wh'
can assist the islanders 20 establish
substantial republican government
with which we can easily secure trad
treaties that will give US all the priv
ileges and profits OF possession withou
the responsibilities thereof. II nigh
be well for this country TO hold a nava
station in the island of Luzon. bu
Aguinaldo Is willing to give US that. II
would very willingly form a close
friendly alliance with this country an
concede every reasonable privilege W
might ask for"
When President Mckinley reads thi
opinion Of his former secretary Q
state he will undoubtedly congratr
late himself that the venerable state:
man is neither in the cabinet nor in til
senate. Were he still chairman Of th
senate committee on foreign affairs, til
proposed joint resolution declaring III
purpose Of the United States to hol
the Philippines would strike snag
: the committee room.-Cleveland Plai
Dealer.
EvENTTnM DECVvY