The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-25
BRYAN REPLIES.
Answers Questions of His OPP
ponents In Detail.

meeting began much earlier Mr.. Bryan
did not appear until o'clock He had a
long and busy day and found it neces-
sary to take an unusually prolonged rest
after his arrival in this city. The tent
was crowded to su1focation and there
we're far more people on the outside Of
the tent and in its vicinity than there
were on the inside Of the canvas The
great crowd yelled itself hoarse when
Mr.. Bryan entered and some time was
required TO secure quiet.
Mr. Bryan took cognizanee OF q series
of questions propounded to him by John
P. Neilds. Of this city. These questions
were as follows.
First-WIn he. If elected president. as
commander in chief, Immediately with
draw the army from the Philippines2
Second-How soon does he confem-
plate that a stable form Of government
can be given to the Philippine fslands3
Third-How soon after q stable form
Of government is established does he
propose that congress shall declare the
independence Of these Islands?
Fourth-How long after a stable form
Of government is esta blished and indie
pendence is declared does he propose
that the American protectorate over the
Philippine Islands shall coutinue2
Fifth-Wi1 he pay the obligations Of
this government IN silver or gold Il elect
ed PRESIDENT
Mr.. Bryan read the questions. and re-
piled as he proceeded TO each of the in
quiries- He said in effect that he would
get t14r aLLl% Out OL the A4IAEP14ES 15
soon as possible and with reference 10
the payment Of the national debt, that
he would obey the law Introducing the
subject Mr.. Bryan said:
II I were to permit Republicans in
each town to select the subjects which
I was to discuss / am afraid that every
where some Republican would avail
himself OF the opportunity In order to
prevent my discussing the things Re
publicans do not want to discuss. And
when heard that some questions were
to be asked suggested that it was only
proper that the Republican committee
should back the questions SO there would
be responsible party known in the
transaction I have not heard yet Wheth-
er the Republican committee was will
ing TO ask these questions on its re-
sponsibility or not, but thought that
would NIKE an exception of this case
ask some
He then took up the questions and re-
piled to them seriatim-
As reply to the first question he
quoted from his speech Of acceptance,
saying.
7 stated that If elected president I
would Immediately convene congress in
extraordinary session and would ask
congress to declare the nations policy II
be to establish a stable government in
the Philippine Islands as we are now es-
taollsning q stable government in Cuba;
TO declare our purpose to give 1ndepend-
ence 10 the Eilipinos as we have pronaiS-
ed to give independence to the Cubans:
TO declare our purpose to give protection
10 the E1llplnOS as we have promised to
give protection to the Cubans ana
have for Is years given protection to the
republics Of South and CentraIAmericas .
On the second question he said:
No one has attempted TO fix the num-
Der Of hours or days or weeks or months
necessary but I viii say this that I be
heye that we could establish a stable
government in the Philippine Islands in
less time than the Republican party has
established one in Cuba, and that think
can promise you that our officials
would not eTnbezzle as Republican Off
Gals have embezzled Cuban money!
To the third question he answered that
IN his speech Of acceptance il was pro-
posed to give them independence as soon
as their stable government is estab-
Ished- He said.
The phrase and as soon means i'm
rnediately n our language; I do not
know what i means in Republican
Answering the fourth question, he
said:
If the questioner had read my speech
he would have seen that there was no
limit on the prOLectorate and we be-
Ieve that this nation can assert the doc
trine that when this nation helps a re-
public to stand upon its feet the ground
wherein il stands Is holy ground. and
that no king shall ever set his feet upon
it"
On the fifth question relative to pay
ing the obligations Of this government in
silver or gold. if elected president, he
Z want the Republicans who want
this question answered To first find out
what the Law requires. and then 7 want
them to know that If elected president
I will enforce that law Just as I will en-
force the law against trusts and put
striped clothes on big thieves as well as
little thieves But If you ask me TO con-
Strue Republican law, I reply that
shall not c0nstrue A law until it be-
comes my duty to enforce it
Having replied TO the questions, Mr.
Bryan then propounded some Of his
own He said.
Now I want to ask FIVE questions.
and when ask these questions I want
some responsible man to answer them.
It IS hardly fair for a man who has no
responsibility to place his responsibility
against that OF one who has response
biIiry placed upon him by a party and
I want your party leaders to answer the
questions that am going to ask"
Mr. Bryan then quoted from the presf-
dents message Of December 5. 1885 rec
ornmending the increase of the army to
100 GOO men, and asked If the Repu hlican
party. through any one authorized TO
speak. viii declare that Republican sue
cess this fall means a standing army Of
1000 in the United States.
His second question was. IF the dec
laration Of Independence is true. and
governments derive their Just powers
from the consent Of the governed, then
I want TO ask How can you buy the
right to govern people, or secure title to
them by force2n
The third question was. rs the Fiji
piro going to be citizen or q sub5ect.''
And the fourth question: Can you
1 purchase trade with human blood p
The fifth question related to the es-
Enlistment CT a protectorata in the
/ Philippine Islands. concerning which Mr..
! Bryan said.
ssRepubIicans say that we can not pro
/ tect the Filipino without a great deal Of
/ trouble We have protected the re-
| publics Of Central and South America
r
no authority in these South American
/ republics We have never governed
/ them. but we have protected them from
/ outside influence It has never cost any
/ thing. but It has been valuable To them.
The Republican doctrine IS the doc
trine behind which the monarchies OF