The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-08
ISLANDS WORTH HAVING
Ex-MINIsTER JOHN BARRETTs VIEW
OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Greatest Signal Result of the Late
War. He Says, Was Our Gaining
Possession of the Group.


rett. minister TO Slam during the Cleveland
administration and who has travelled ex-
tensively in the East, was given a compile
mentary dinner ar the Union League Club
tonight and by request spoke about the
Philippines and their importance. CONNER
cially and strategically. to the United
States. He said. in part:
IF were asked what was the great
signal result OF the late war with Spa1ns
! would say It was one which had amply
by the assumption of sovereignty OF the
philippines. 1t IS simply this. IL has sudden-
of the Pacific. Before the war and Before
we took the Philippines. not from conquest.
but from moral responsioility-we could not
Britain or even japan. We were then not
a power in the far East. We were nothing
more than what could be rightly termed
little power. From Bangkok TO Picking
our ministers and our consuls were every
where hampered by our lack OF national in
1uence. by the little actual respect felt for
us by Oriental statesmen and by the con-
slant evidence that what America said.
could or would do, cut little or no figure
as i Travelled up and down the coast visit
ing both political and commercial capitals.
l was always depressed by the indications
OF our seeming insignifcance. When made
my last journey, In December. 10 these
same points, / was astonished TO note the
mighty change that had been worked since
spanish fleet i found America, American
influence and American trade everywhere
the first consideration. Whether discussing
matters with native statesmen or foreign
diplomatists. or leading business men. or
devoted missionaries. at dinner parties or
everyday natives and coolies. 1 found the
one sensible. tangible thought that had TO
do with foreigners 20 be: What is America
way will her influence be thrown?
But this is not all. There is the prac-
teal and commercial side of It. which APP
blood OF nations. While formerly II was
most difficult to arouse interest in Amer
lean products and to get European or native
all Is changed and there is grand move
ment all along the line from Java TO Japan
in favor OF American interests. These same
native and foreign firms want American
connections and wish to handle American
goods.
before US. and yet largely dependent upon
two great points: First. whether We shall
meet, master and hold the situation IN the
Philippines and second, stand infexibly for
the maintenance of our treaty rights and
freedom of trade throughout all China.
GIVE this mighty nation of ours that in
from permanent sovereignty over the Phil
ippines and perpetual enjoyment of freedom
OF trade In China and You Will have nation
whose power and influence will be para
mount not only in the Pacific. but through
out all the world.
pDySl-
caliy fashions any. part of this earth with
recklessly prodigal hand. IL could be said
without exaggeration of the Philippine
group. A richer isolated land or group
of islands. viewed comparatively as 10 area
and population, variety OF agricultural.
mineral and forest resources. undeveloped as
well as those already improved. cannot be
found on this globe. In comparison with
the opportunities afforded by other Asiatic
countries. the Philippines provide more IAN
investment OF capital for the development
of various enterprises. Not ore ackrowt-
edged authority on the islands has yet come
forward with less cheerful view OF the sit
uation than l have depicted Moreover.
many a doubling Thomas, who has held tho
ssr m Of htn % RrSn ana nsn
his eye that he could not see beyond, later.
on personal investigation of the field. not
confined TO Manila but the great country
has frankly acknowledged his error and
that here is one Of the greatest undeveloped
fields of investments that remain outside the
borders of the United States.
Holding and developing the Philippines IL
not mere Imperialism, not mere expansion In
the popular use of those misleading terms.
but taking legitimate advantage of splen-
did material opportunity where unavoidable
moral responsibility has compelled us 10 as
sumo the sovereignty of these rich Antilles
Of the Orient. II we call Il expansion or
imperialism. then these terms are synonyms
for legitimate commercial extension. and
commerce Is the Hfe-blood of nations. pro-
vided il has the moral strength of sinew and
bones TO absorb the nourishment and ozone
OF new blood. and not be poisoned by those
elements which invariably accompany ex-
tracrdinary efforts in untried fields. be-
lieve that we have the power of discrimina-
ton. the capability of taking what is best
and leaving what is worst. in so guiding our
policy that in this great race OF nations for
supremacy In the worlds competition We
shall be forever a strong first.
After careful study OF the different
tribes Of the Philippine islands, and an init
mate acquaintance through several years OF
races Of Asiatics, similar to them in ten
denotes. habits, methods of life and ways or
thinking. IL is my honest conviction that
their good qualities outweigh the bad. that
there Is much Of rope and promise In their
makeup and that in comparison with other
Asiatic people, they are above the average.
While not as Industrious or thrifty as the
japanese. they compare favorably in intel
Asiatics. l believe firmly that the masses
of the people are not turned against US with
those feelings of hatred and revenge which
we cannot overcome. When they fully I'M
derstand that our Intentions are honorable
that the recent conflict has not been justified
from their standpoint and that possibly
they have been misled by ambitious leaders.
/ am confident they VIII readily accept any
form OF government we may institute. No
greater misfortune could befall us than to
have the Philippines a dumping ground for
mercenary politicians. Here Is our greatest
danger, and IL We can safely intrust native
Filpinos with a goodly portion OF the lesser
Offices for the administration of the Interior.
We will save ourselves from the greater OF
two evils.
The United States have assumed a mighty
and unavoidable responsibility, not only TO
themselves and the natives, but 10 tie
world. In occupying the Philippine islands
They could not return them 10 their former
sovereignty. sell them TO another power. or
yield them to native rule without Sinking
such responsibility and taking a backward
step from which the Nation would never re-