The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-08-17

best promote the interest of the citizens
Of the United States and the inhabitants
Of said islands,
It occurs to US that the foregoing res
olution is clear, logical and sensible. 1t
assumes or asserts, 1st, that we have the
right to establish government suitable
to the wants and conditions of the peo-
pie there; End, that it is the purpose to
give them local self-government; 3rd,
that in due time such disposition of said
islands will be made as will best pro-
mote the interest ofthe citizens of the
United States and the Inhabitants of said
islands.
\ The great differences between Mr..
Bryan's plan and the republican plan
are these. Mr.. Bryan assumes that we
have no rights in the Philippines. He
says, "they are ofright, free and inde-
pendent states" Ifelected, his first act
will beto declare them so. Hence his
!. first proposition denies,the right to ex-
ercise the remainder Of his plan. He
begins at the conclusion. A conclusion,
which even he cannot deny, that time,
circumstances and education might radi-
cally change, and even Mr.. Bryan will
hardly say that the Philippines are at
present fit for independence.
The rest of Mr.. Bryan's plans and that
of the republican resolution are nearly
identical. To establish, a stable govern
ment seems to be self-evident neces-
sity in both plans. The republicans do
it however because they have the right,
and because it is matter of duty. Mr..
Bryan-because-he knows it would be
nonsense to say or do anything else.
Mr.. Bryan says, Withdraw and establish
a protectorate." The republicans say,
in the resolution, and by their actions in
Cuba and Porto Rico, establish local
government" which is equal o"with.
drawal." but leaves the question of the
final relations Of the United States and
the Philippines to the future as time, cir.
cumstances, and conditions may then ex.
ist and determine.
Mr.. Bryan's Philippine logic is, you
are free and equal and an Independent
power. You are not fit to govern your.
tseives, hence we vii! govern you. When
we think you are ready then we will
make you independent. Each of these
propositions conflict with the others.
| The republican position is: The
Philippines never have been. nor are
now independent, but are under the rule
of the United States. That our rights
| there are the legitimate results of con
quest in war and purchase price in
money. That it is the purpose of the
people of the United States to grant t.
the Philippines every liberty and power o
selfgovernment enjoyed by the remain
der of the people ofthe United States, SC
far as the conditions and circumstances
will allow. That the final independence
of the Philippines is question of the
future, and then to be determined by
both parties at interest.
And the latter proposition is true be.
cause if ever the Philippines are made an
independent nation, it will be because ol
the free gift Of the people of the United
States, who now by every right of inter-
national law own and have the right to
govern the Philippines. But notwith.
standing these rights, the people Of the
United States through the republican
party have announced that we do not
propose to'act in with arbitrary power,
but will leave. the question of final inde-
pendence for the Philippines to the
future.
/