Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1900-10-22
STAND
ANALYzED
COL. FROST OF SOUTH DAKOTA ON
THE PHILIPPINES.
The Well known Soldier and Leader
SCOTS at the Platform which
bryan Has CunningIy
Devised.

Evanston, Ill, Aug. 9. 1900.-Editor:
Kindly allow space for a few thoughts
from a soldier, who has been there,
upon that portion of Mr.. Bryan's In
d%ianapolis speech which refers to the
Philippines. ~. .r7.. .. IS
Mr.. Bryan says:
After the Filipinos had aided us in
the war against Spain we could not
honorably turn them over to their for
mer masters; we could not leave them
to, be the victims of the ambitious de-
| signs of the European nations; and
since we do not desire to make them
a part of us, or to hold them as sub
jects, we propose the only alternative,
namely, to give them independence and
guard them against molestation from
without 49,
He also lays down the following as
the policy of his party:
II. To establish a stable form of gov
eminent in h Philippine islands, just
al we are o establishing a stable
form of government in the Island Of
Cuba.
''2. To give independence to the Fill
pinos, just as we AVE promised to give
independence to the Cubans.
49, {. To protect the Filipinos from out
side Interference while they work out
their destinv, just as we have protected
the republics of Central and South
America. and are, by the Monroe Doc
trine, pledged to protect Cuba"
Now, let me say that it was also the
feeling of the Republican leaders that
we could not honorably turn the Fill
pinos over to their former masters
nor 'leave them to be the victims Of
b ambitious designs of European ma
tons"
1t was precisely this feeling which
led to the purchase of the islands.
There is no doubt whatever that GER
tain European nations stood ready to
seize the archipelago as soon as we
should quit it. This is SO notorious
that wen Mr.. Bryan is compelled to
recognize it. "
This fact being admitted, it will be
seen that If the United States wished
to save the F'ilipincs from European
masters it had to assume the burden
of defending them against foreign ag-
gression; and, if it assumed this bur-
den, it was bound, in justice to itself,
to see that the local government was
not n that would recklessly involve
its protector in international difficult
ties. This, it seems to me, is self-evf
dent. In other words, we were forced
by circumstances to interfere in the
government of the islands.
AS I ~hobnobbed with the Filipinos
before hostilities and fought them
afterward I feel that I know something
about them.
There are a few able men among the
Mestizos, or half-castes. Some of these
have been educated in Europe and are
men of large views and ~attainments;
but the Mestizo class, compared with
the whole, population, is a mere drop in
the bucket. If the entire population
were equal to the best representatives
of h Mestizo class there would be no
question as to fitness for self-govern-
ment. But it is a fact that the mass
of the population is not far removed
from savagery. Added to this, they
are, not homogeneous, but are divided
into numerous tribes, speaking many
tongues and dialects, and, moreover,
are jealous and suspicious of one an
other. This, in Itself, is a pretty GER
tain guarantee of anarchy and chaos
the instant the restraining hand of the
United States is removed. 81
Perhaps Mr.. Bryan is willing to let
the Filipinos fly at each others threats,
but I doubt if the American public
opinion would let him.
Mr.. Bryan save he intends, if elected,
to give the Filipinos independence un-
der an American guaranty. 1t seems
to me that he would find himself con-
fronted by the very difficulties Presi-
dent Mckinley had to meet. Il
If Mr.. Bryan set up a Filipino gov
eminent he would have to feel that it
was worthy of confidence before he
pledged the honor of the United States
to it's support. Unless he insisted upon
certain guarantees in return for protec-
ton lie would be a traitor to his coun-
try. The first thing demanded would
be that the islands We're to be justly
n intelligently governed. Mere prom
ises from those in power would not
suffice, and Mr.. Bryan would probably
choose agents of known integrity upon
whose reports he would base his con-
illusions. If his agents reported that
the men in power were not to be trust
ed with its exercise n were unworthy
IN lAdI lie pCOplG
were not ready for, self-goyernment,
it is interesting to speculate upon his
course. #
He would very probably take the
course chosen by President Mckinley:
Ffrst-To establish a stable govern
ment in the Philippine islands.
Second-To give the inhabitants the
fullest share in that government which
they We're capable of exercising, said
share to be increased as their capabili-
ties increased until they attained to
complete independence.
Third--To protect them from foreign
aggression and domestic disorder while
working out their destiny.
No fair man can deny that President
McKinley's plans for the Philippines
!, will be a boon TO the Filipino people
when carried out. This is known even
to the present rebels, but they are not
fighting for the people, but for their
own selfish ends.
The Filipino people have become our
$50