The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-27
Cuba and the Philippines.

The reports which the best-informed
people give Of the situation and outlook
in Cuba throw a revealing light upon
our duty in the Philippines. No one
questions our purpose in Cuba We are
bound, by pledges which none could
break If he wished, to establish sys-
tenn Of independent government
there. Even the suspicious Cubans
themselves accept 1t as fact. The
time OF accomplishment is near at hand
1t Is the practically unanimous opinion
of intelligent people that this govern
ment, when put into effect. will ask for
annexation. The representatives Of the
Cuban people. taught by our work there
of our capacity for self-government and
tinue to help them rather than leave
them to their own devices.
1t is not to be supposed, IL this Is
true, that they will look to statehood.
IL they admit themselves unable to pre-
serve domestic tranquility and promote
progress, they confess their unfitness to
yet unequal to the burdens OF independ-
ent government. then they must be con-
tent to learn as they are learning now.
The debate on Puerto Rico must warn
them that they cannot expect to be put
on an equality with the states, as II
gives us view OF another danger in es-
tablishing a precedent that new terri
tory must come instantly within all the
guarantees of the constitution. Un-
doubtedly what cuba would prefer and
what would be best for her is local home
rule, her own system of revenue and
finance, and supervision and protection
by the authority of the United States.
The constant howl of the Aguinaldo-
lists is that the government ought TO
deal as literally with the FilipIhos as
with the Cubans To what purpose In
the light Of these facts? In Cuba there
is at least an enlightened public opin-
ion to deal with one that understands
the United States. one that longs for
government, one that begins to
comprehend how long and difficult is
the task of fitting for IT, In the Philip
pines this opinion Is absolutely wanting
What is called the party of liberty or
independence" consists of the followers
Of Aguinaldo. A more INSCRIPTIONS
tyrant, a bloodier butcher, even Spain
has not produced Except the Tagalogs
who follow him. the FiiipInos are quiet
and well satisfied They want no more
than this country proposes to givel them
They are far from being competent to
use and enjoy all that 1t Is ready to
offer freely.
The practical fact. then. is this: IL
we were to make exactly the same pro-
posal to the Filipinos that we did to
the Cuhans the Tagalogs would under
stand 1t as unlimited license TO riot.
kill and burn that Aguinaldo might be
restored as dictator. The rest of the
people would not understand il at ALL
except az an admission Of cowardice
and a species OF surrender. And II every
man Of the Filipinos could understand
It and was willing to accept IL fairly
and honestly. then they must come
eventually to the old conclusion, that
they are not NJ for self government. and
that the kindest office which this coun-
try can render them Is 20 sustain and
lead them through the educating pro-
cess. The hollowness Of all these hne
theories about the Philippines. which
have cost them and US so dearly. APP
pears in the admission Of the plain facts
In the case OF Cuba