Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-23
DEFENSE OF FILIPINO
Senator Turner Speaks on the Philippine
Question.
of the Administrations
Praised-Lauding the Beers.

Mr. Turner of Washington spoke in the
Senate yesterday afternoon on the Philip
pine question. He arraigned the admins
tration's policy as set forth in the Presi-
dents message and in the speech of Mr..
Beveridge of Indiana.
Neither the stately periods of the Pres
idents message nor the fervid oratory of
the Senator's address," said he can change
the facts of history, or metamorphose a
proposed course Of action, already partly
accomplished which involves a shocking
a perfidious breach of national faith, into
an act of policy defensible on the grounds
Of justice, morality and national duty
EulOgizing the Filipinos.
He said the people of these islands are
a brave, resolute; liberty-loving people, and
their struggle ought to win them the respect
of every member Of the American Senate
Mr.. Turner then related the oft-told story
of the alliance which was formed between
the United States and the Fiipinos for the
subjugation of Manila and the expulsion
of Spain from the islands, and expressed
the opinion that had our army been de-
layed for a few weeks the Fiipinos them
selves would have captured the city. He
declared that the Filipinos believed that
they were fighting for their own indepen-
dence yet the Presidents message set up
the claim that independence was an after
thought, founded on the sinister ambition
of certain Filipino leaders. The assertion.
Mr.. Turner said, was unfounded, and he
quoted extensively from official documents
in maintenance of his declaration
Referring to the speech Of Mr.. 5everdge
as a rhapsody. Mr.. Turner said that sit
lacked the majestic harmony which can
be evoked only when the nobler chords are
struck" He maintained that the Filipi-
nos knew that the function of a govern
ment was to preserve life, liberty and prop
erty, and believed that they were abundant
ly able to maintain such government.
The South African War.
ALREADY our Philippine experiences are
beginning to have the boomerang effect
predicted by the senator from Indiana"
said Mr. Turner. There is a primitive peo-
pie in South Africa-a mere handful-pious
and simple brave and heroic but careless
of the great wealth lying under their
hands, Indifferent to its civilizing influence
and disposed to live their own simple lives
In their own simple way. They are the last
link that connects US with one of the great
heroic epochs in the worlds history A
great nation, having racial tendencies SINH
lar to our own, has seen the present de-
plorable condition of affairs among this
South African people and has determined
to improve and civilize them in the same
way we are improving and civilizine the
simple but brave Filipinos. They are not
succeeding so well; unfortunately, in their
self-imposed task as we are.
THE Africanders are proving themselves
to be worthy sons Of heroic sires. They
are making an heroic fight, and one which
has become the wonder and admiration of
mankind throughout the world. Because
of what we in common with mankind owe
to their blood. because they are brayely
fighting a ruthless invader of their homes
and firesides, because they are fighting for
the liberty to govern themselves and their
affairs in their own way. because when
they go down another republic will have
persisted, they undoubtedly carry with
them in their struggle the profound SYM
pathy of the American people. In other
days our sympathy would have been ex-
pressed through governmental channels.
But now the ghost Of liberty murdered in
cannot even preserve a decent neutrality
between this heroic people and their as
sailants. 1t is yet permitted to us, how
ever. as individuals to avert our eyes and
as those noble men go down to death and
oblivion to say to them as now do: ''Thou
last survivors Of q heroic age! Hail and
FAREWELL"