The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-08-31
BRYAN and the Philippines

extraordinary session as soon as inaugurated,
and recommend an immediate declaration
of the nations purpose
First, to establish stable form of govern
ment In the Philippine Islands, just as we
are now establishing stable form OF
government In Cuba"
AS IL the policy of the administration and
the nation had not already been declared
most emphatically along the line of estab-
fishing a stable form of government, the
FIRST step in which, as Mr.. Bryan must
know, is the restoration of the rule of law
and order, even as that was the first step In
the establishment of stable form Of
government In Cuba. This may not be a
very clear announcement OF his purpose so
far as the form Of government to be estab-
lished in the Philippines Is concerned and
1t may be stable form of government OF
the Turkish or the Russian type so far as
Is here set forth. Aud yet on the other
hand 1t is a very pretty tribute to the good
intentions of the republican party In Its
attitude towards Cuba and In Its ability to
work out presumably desirable form Of
government for that island between now
and the time when he himself would bs
called on, il elected, to put In operation
the course which he has now partially out
lined. He has confidence enough In the
republican party, and knows that the people
of the country have enough confidence In the
republican party, so that any further state
ment of his purpose than to do by the
Philippines as the republican party is do
ing by Cuba seemed too useless to demand
notice. In other words he will call con-
gress in extraordinary session to declare 1t
the purpose of the government to carry out
what has been the republican policy In
Cuba as nearly as he may in the Philip
pines-after he has fully learned what is be-
ing done by republicans in Cuba.
Second, to give independence to the
Philippines, just as we have promised to
give independence to Cuba"
This means then, the withdrawal of our
army and authority from the Philippines,
but when? Surely not now before the es-
Enlistment of "a stable form of govern
ment," and what assurance has anyone that
the stable form of government" which Mr..
Dictator Bryan would insist on setting up
la the Philippines would take any less time,
any less troops or any fewer precious
American lives than the course which the
republicans have been systematically pur-
suing,-hampered by the narrower demo-
Gratis and other anti-imperialists-e since
the problem of restoring order in those
islands was forced on the administration by
Dewey's victory? More than that what
might not be added to the unreasOnableness
of the PHILIPPINES themselves by the ideas
which have been instilled into their minds
by the alluring talk of liberty and freedom
which to people of no more humanity
than the PHILIPPINES and no further advance
in the arts of civilization means nothing more
than license, license to pillage, and rob, and
plunder, and loot? Mr.. Bryan's course has
been of the kind to make his own self i'm
posed task only the harder should he ever
be given the opportunity and the duty Of
attempting to carry out its announcements.
But what shall be said of the fostering of
the spirit of rebellion which such talk
amounts to? Whatever one may think
they should be, the Philippines are Ameri-
the aid and announcement given to rebels
by the oft repeated comments and criticisms
of Mr.. Bryan relative to the course OF the
in putting down this guerilla
like insurrection before Withdrawing the
army and turning over the islands to a just
form Of representative government which
shall give the inhabitants an opportunity to
learn what real freedom is? The graves of
American soldiers, the manned bodies of
other American soldiers, bodies wasted by
fevers incurred by "hikes" thru swampy
tuugles which would never have had to be
penetrated had it not been for the encourag-
ment of the anti-imperialist, and the homes
with the vacant chairs which but for Bryan
lite sympathy might today have been still
happily flled-all these should answer
most eloquently and pathetically to the
American people before the 9Th of next
November comes around, and the answer
should be Of the kind that will crush out
the popularity of giving aid to the enemies
OF this country forever.
Third, to protect the PHILIPPINES from
outside interference while they work Out
their destiny, just as we have protected the
republics OF Central and Southern America,
aud are by the Monroe doctrine pledged to
protect Cuba"
A large volume might well be written
on the lack OF logic, craftsmanship, and
wisdom shown in this last clause. Change
full AMI revolutionary as has been aud as
still is the history vi the South and Central
American states, they are the cream OF
civilz alton itself compared with the inhabit-
ants on those far away islands and to force
our "protection" on such treacherous
scoundrels as Aguinaldo, meanwhile fur
nshiDg him with all power to connive and
intrigue with other powers would be to
saddle our own and the coming generation
with task which would make the present
task of restoring order In the islands seem
al. t.st. In It