The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-22

sons and property, in order to encour-
age the development of the islands by
the assurance of safety to investors Of
capital. All men should be protected
in the free exercise of their religion,
and the doors thrown open to mission
aries of all Christian sects. The land,
which belongs to the people, and of
which they have been robbed in the
past, should be returned to them and
their titles made secure. We should
inaugurate and carry forward, in the
most earnest and liberal way, a COM
prehensive system Of popular educa-
ton. Finally, while we bring prosper
ity to the islands by developing their
resources. we should, as rapidly as
conditions will permit, bestow upon
them self-government and home rule
Such, in outline, is the policy which
believe can be and will be pursued to-
ward the Philippines. 1t will require
time, patience, honesty and ability for
it's completion, but it is thoroughly
practicable and reasonable.
I shall not argue our title to the
islands by the law of nations, for it is
perfect. No other nation has ever
questioned it. / believe we are in the
Philippines as righteously as we are
there rightfully and legally. I believe
that to abandon the islands. or to
leave them now, would be a wrong to
humanity, a dereliction Of duty, and in
the highest degree contrary to sound
morals. AS to expediency, l should re-
gard their loss as calamity to our
trade and commerce and to all our
business interests SO great that no man
can measure it.
Consent of Governed"
Mr.. Lodge reviewed at length our
former acquisitions of territory, show
ing that in all Of them there was the
absence of any reference to the con-
sent of the governed. He argued that
the Filipirops were incapable of self
government and quoted William Jen-
nings Bryan and prominent Democratic
senators in support of his assertion.
He believed there was every reason
for the United States to lead the Fill
pinos along the path Of freedom until
they were capable at least of munich
pal self-government. With elaborate
and scholarly detail Mr.. Lodge de-
scribed the people who inhabited the
Philippines and showed how utterly
incapable they are of conforming to
our western ideas of civilization. He
then sketched carefully and interest
ingly the developments which led up
to the beginning of hOstilities between
the United States forces and the Fill
pinos, laying particular stress upon
AUlllTtl DtWty ItldtlOuS Win ASuln-
aldo. He pointed out that when Dewey
had won his victory and the city of
Manila lay at the mercy Of his guns,
the Filipino insurrection against the
authority of Spain was dead for all
practical purposes. AguinaldO and
other Filipino leaders had sought
more congenial cline than the island
of Luzon. and their forces We're wide
ly scattered. At Dewey's instance
Aguinaldo was brought back to Luzon,
but even he had difficulty in kindling
again the flame of rebellion. Mr.. Lodge
points out that Aguinaldo's success in
melting the Tagals again to insurrec-
tion against Spain was made possible
only by Dewey's victory in Manila bay.
Mr.. Lodge quoted official documents
and correspondence in support of his
contention that Dewey entered into no
political entanglements with Aguinaldo.
Within a week after Aguinaldo's ar
rival at Cavite the administration
cabled Admiral Dewey that there must
be no political alliances of any sort
with the Filipinos. Mr.. Lodge de-
nounced as absolutely fictitious all
statements that Admiral Dewey saluted
the Filipino flag or received Aguinaldo
with military honors. or In any way
recognized the so-called Filipino gov
ernment.
Letter from Captain Coghlan.
AS bearing upon the recent statement
of Senator Pettigrew, of South Dakota.
that Admiral Dewey had recognized
the Filipino government at the cap
ture OF Subig bay Mr.. Lodge present.