The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-01-10
Wants Philippines Treat
ed as Cuba.
Declares Natives Capable of Self
Government.

Warrington, january S-Senator nohr
of Massaoh usetts has made public long
letter he has addressed to the editors OF
the Journal, Advertiser, Herald and
Giobs Of Boston In answer to . spesch
made by Representative Quigs ut the Es-
sex club the last Saturday night In De-
csrber In this speech Mr.. Qaigg, re-
ferring to Senator. Hoar's attitude on the
Philippine question, declared that the
Senator "wants us TO skulk from our
duty" Senator Hoar taken the words
quoted as his text. He says:
~ wish to put against this statement
my emphatic denial. What l want the
American people to do Is to do In the
Philippines exactly what we have done.
are doing and expect to do In Cuba We
have liberated both from spain. and We
have had no thought Of giving either
back 10 spain. Having delivered them
from Spain, we were bound In all honor
to protect their newly acquired liberty
against the ambition or greed Of any
other nation on earth. And We were
equally bound to protsct them against our
own. We were bound to stand by them. o
defender and protector, until their new
governments were established In freedom
and In honor; until they had made
treaties with the powers OF the earth and
were 40 secure In their national inde-
psnds noe as Switzerland IL secure, or as
San Domingo or Venesueis Is secure.
"Now II this be . policy OF skulking
from duty, fail to see 1t.
"If We were bound In honor and
righteousness - . matter Of principle 10
abstain from deprving Cuba Of the
liberty We had given her because 1t was
right. We are, in my Judgment all the
more bound to abstain from dsprisins
the people OF the Philippines Of their
libsrty because 1t 10 right.
"It am right In affirming this %
matter of principle, then the question be-
comes . question of fact.
"Are the people Of the Philippines as
well entitled 20 their freedom and inde-
pendenoe as the people Of Cubaf
: "Had they contributed as much to
achieving their Independence ss had the
people Of Cubaf
"Do they desire their independence as
do the people of Cubaf
"Are they 1t to cove IN themselves as
are the people Of Cubas
"Have they forfeited their tight to
their Independence BY any misconduct,
suoh as attacking the army of ths United
States wautonly and without provocation.
snow the facts which snabis us to
answer all these questions about which
the people have been so much misled
curing the last summer. come to us ut
length from the representatives Of the
commanders Of our army and navy In the
Philippines. l have two witnesses to
call, General Otis and Admiral Dewey.
"But before citing the evidence, let me
state what would do today as have
stated whAt:I desired to do before the war
broke out. would send General Wood
or General Miles or Admiral Dewey to
Luzou. I would have him gather about
him cabines of the best men among the
Fiiipinos who have the confidence of the
people and desire nothing but their well
fare. In all provinces and municipalities
where civil government Is now estab-
lished possessing the confidence Of the
people, / would oonsult with thsir rulers
aud representatives. I would lend the aid
of the army only to keep order. would
permit the people to make and administer
laws, subject to some supervision till
peace has settled down again upon that
country. So soon as 1t se,ms that govern
ment can maintain itself peaosfuliy and
In order, I would BY degrees withdraw
the authority Of the United States. max
ing treaty with them that we would
pretsct them against the cupidity OF any
other nation and would lend our aid for
q reasonable time to maintain order and
law. / would not hesitate. II 10 were
nesdful, TO vote 10 make q loan OF q
moderate sum 30 Ieplen,sh thsir wasted
treasury"
Senator Hoar's letter then asserts that
the dispatches of Admiral Dewey and
General Otis (some Of the latter read BY
him. he says having been withheld thus
far from public knowlsdge,) establish
among other things that Asuinaldo is
honess, patriotic and the chosen leader Of
the people Of the Philippines
That tbs people have from the begin
ming desired Independence; that they are
nc for Independence; that the outbreak Of
hostilities was not their fault but ours;
and that General Otis 30 amended the
Presidents proclamation before issuing
u. - 10 assure the Filipinos that II was
the rurposs Of the people Of the Unitsd
sfates to give them "In every possible
way the full measure Of individual rights
trd libsrty which II the heritage Of = free
pelpls."