Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-03-26
PHILIPPINE POLICY.

PHILIPPINE POLICY.
Bishop Potter upon his return from
the Philippine islands Is receiving
much attention in the press, on account
OF his change OK Views as TO the proper
policy Of this country In regard to that
acquisition. It has been represented
that he went TO the archipelago an
avowed antagonist TO ne government
policy. but that he returned having ex-
perlenced complete change OF heart.
There are several points on which
the eminent churchman has spoken
since his return from his journey OF
inspection. one Is the deslrability OF
retaining the Philippines. and this ques-
ton IL now. he says, an academical
one. There is no way Of getting rid OF
the Islands. Conditions have changed
we cannot do now what It might have
been desirable 10 do two days after the
battle OF Manila bay" The Bishop Is
thus quoted in an interview In the New
York Evening Post And further;
Granting that the Islands are ours
and must remain In our possession,
believe that military government u
for a while the only feasible form OF
government. II Is nonsense 20 talk OF
The native Flllpln0s having the ability
10 organize a government OF their OVID.
II IL only in rare cases that any OF
them show a real governing power.
Another point he made In his Inter-
view was this, that the war is practical
~ over. This. some government critics
refuse TO believe. They even discredlt
official reports, and speak OF the ex-
ploits OF bands OF outlaws as acts OK
war" The bishop depicts the actual
condition in rather encouraging colors.
He says the war Is practically over
the only insurgent activity now being
OF guerrilla character that resembles
the adventurous freebooter wars Of
southern Italy. The majority OF the
Fillpinos are friendly to us, have every
confidence in our soldiers, and are ready
to come under our government. This
friendly feeling Is shown everywhere by
the children. who are devoted TO the
soldiers. Friends OF Agulnaldo called
upon the bishop and were free TO err
press their conviction that there could
be no success for the rebel leader. and
that American triumph meant In
creased prosperity.
He IL, further. very much pleased win
the way General Otis has discharged
his duties In that country. The bishop,
after having looked into the matter as
thoroughly as the circumstances would
permit could find nothing but praise for
the American officer placed In charge OF
affairs there. He says of Gen. Otis:
"He has shown most commendable
caution IN the conduct OF atairs there
from the very first. a reckless. slap
dash kind Of man would have got us
into a lot OF trouble by rushing INTO
places and taking steps that Gen. OTIS
has been much criticised for not TAX
! ing. When occasion demanded, think
he has shown commendable hrlnness
and wisdom His report OF the whole
matter which he gave 20 me the DAY
left Manila, is worth STUDYING Tor, l
| believe. II shows an able and fun COM
prehension Of the difficulties and a rare
wisdom In meeting them.
After reviewing briefly the entire
Philippine question. Bishop Potter came
to the conclusion that 1t is the right
and duty Of a superior nation 10 govern
q weaker" He thinks that Is inevita-
BILE. And everywhere, throughout the
East the problem IL the same. IL Is to
bring those people TO see and recognize
the superiority Of civilization, and to
give them an opportunity to adopt IT,
These are Bishop Potter's changed
views" They will be quite generally
endorsed. The duty OF those who pos
sess a higher civilization to extend its
benefits 10 others cannot be disputed
The light IS not 10 be hidden under the
table. Superior gifts and graces bring
with them responsibilities toward
others who are less favored. This Is
the principle Of expansion. II does not
mean that a stronger nation has a
right to Cypress the weaker States. as
European mother countries too often
have done by their colonial policy OF
robbery. II Is q duty first OF all-the
duty Of extending light, knowledge,
freedom and happiness wherever their
influence goes. And this is clearly the
duty OF this country TO all the late
Spanish colonies. Providence itself has
entrusted them to the care Of the
American Republic, 1t should be
looked upon in the light Of a sacred
trust, and all the questions involved
should be approached In that spirit
There should be no cause FOR contention
az home, nor for dissatisfaction in the