The Republican., 1900-09-13

/ obligations in the Philippines finds
no support, of course, in either inter
national law or common sense. 1t
confuses political and international
conditions in no way analogous. But
even granted the force of the parallel,
how does American experience in Gu
ba vindicate in advance the merit and
value of Colonel Bryan's ''easy, hon
est and honorable programme? If
the Fusion nominee for President is
elected, will he favor such a rapid
withdrawal Of American troops from
the Philippines as has been affected
from Cuba, and the convening there
after of a native Congress, which
shall erect an independent govern
ment under the protection of the
United States? Is this native Con-
gress, also, as some of Mr. Bryan's
admirers are already anticipating, to
conclude treaty recognizing Amer
lean control of Manila Bay and City,
granting reciprocity of trade, and
guaranteeing full liberty of American
enterprise and investments"
The Philadelphia Record, though
friendly to the general policy of ex
pansion, has been trying, with many
other Eastern newspapers of pro-
nounced Democratic tendencies, to
find some bridge to renewed partisan
allegiance in Colonel Bryan's current
crusade against imperialism" Our
Philadelphia contemporary is candid
enough, however, to admit that the
practical difficulties of carrying out
any such scheme of Filipino indepen-
dence as that outlined in the forego-
ing paragraph would probably be
as difficult as holding and governing
the islands," AS the Record argues:
How many of the people of the
eighty-odd semi civilized and savage
tribes of the Philippines would be
likely to consent to all this? Could a
majority of the tribal chiefs be
induced to assemble at Manila? And
before being asked to frame consti-
tuition would not many of them
have to be sent to school in order to
learn what a constitution is? For
some Of them would come clothed in
all the simplicity of breech-clouts,
with intellectual equipment to cor
respond; not few would bring pat
ents of nobility won by capturing
sixty heads in raids upon neighbor-
ing hostile tribes; there would be a
startling confusion of both languages
and interests, and the sight Of Aguin-
aldo and his marauding Tagals might
stir up animosities Of long standing,
and cause the convention to degener-
ate into tribal battle. And if the
American Commissioners could ac-
complish the miracle of making peace
! between the hostile and scantily
clothed fractions, majority of the
chiefs would be no more likely to con-
sent to yield the bay and city of Ma
Mia without American coercion than
, Englishmen would be to yield the
River Thames and the city of London.
And how could we keep them per-
manently under our protection with
out preserving order and preventing
them from assaulting and despoiling
each other?'
AS an essay in practical statesman
ship, getting the governed to consent
to self-government in the Philippines,
and then turning them loose on each
other under American protection"
is not likely to appeal to either ma
tional foresight or self-respect 1t is
solution of the Philippine problem
neither easy" nor ''honorable"-one
from which the more serious minded
of Colonel Bryan's followers cannot
be blamed for turning with dissaprov-
al and contempt.