Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-09-06
Bryan on the Philippines.

"" WV
The position of the Bryanites upon the
Philippine question, as defined by Col
onel w. J.. Bryan, is u%ntenable. The
three propositions embraced in Bryan's
declaration on the question are: First,
to establish a stable form of government;
second, to give independence to the
Filipinos; third. to protect the Filipinos
from outside interference while they
work out their destiny, the whole being
based upon the principle of the consent
of the governed.
The first of these points is all right
and is precisely what the present admin
istration is doing. but it does not agree
with the consent of the governed prin-
ciple. The rebellious Tagals, by whom
the Democrats understand the Filipinos,
do not wants stable government. They
are fighting a stable government pro-
position at the present time, and it is not
with their consent that Colonel Bryan
would establish a stable government on
the islands if he should be elected.
The second proposition to give indie
pendence to the Filipinos after a stable
government is established sounds plausi-
BILE, but on examination it proves a fall
lacy too. 1t depends upon what degree
of independence Colonel Bryan is willing
to give them. In the third proposition
he would make this nation responsible
for the doingS of the Filipinos ovel
against other nations and that would
be a curtailment of their independence.
To maintain a stable government with
the aid of the United States is another
curtailment of independence. But il
independence means safety, good order,
justice between man and man, the OPP.
p%ortunity to worship ones own way:
the right and chance to give suitable
education to ones children; freedom tt
work and to enjoy, without fear OF
danger, t o the fruits of ones toll, thest
are the things that the present admin
istration is giving the Filipinos, bu
which would be out of question under
Tagal autonomy. Instead of too mucl
arbitrary rule on the part of the Amer
leans in those islands, there has beef
even a little too much eagerness tt
thrust local home rule upon the Fill
pino communities in advance of thei
preparation to govern themselves eff
GENTLY. Certainly, the Philippine com
mission, made up of Republicans an
Democrats alike, is at this time doin'
everything in its power to establish
stable government and at the same tim
giving to the Filipinos the largest de
gree Of self-government compatible wit
the first proposition.
The second and greatest Limitation
upon Filipino independence lies In Col
Bryan's third proposal. To protect tn
Filipinos from outside inference Will
they work out their destiny. This, O
course, means a perpetual protectorate
and means the assumption by the Unite
States of entire responsibility for goo
government in the Philippine islands to
wards all the nations of the world.
Another proposition of Col. Bryan |
for the United States to take possession
of a coaling station in the Philippines
probably Manila. The Tagals woul
never agree to that. The coaling sta
ton would have to be taken withou
their consent. If they had an independ
ent government, such as Col. Bryan in
tends to give them, they would no
think of giving up Manila to the Unite
States.
Colonel Bryan's unqualified exposition
of the right of self government goes In
initely farther than the states RICH
doctrines entertained by Jefferson Davi
or Calhoun in the notification days
Colonel Bryan would allow any group o
men, whether in county, in town, or IL
school district, to set themselves up a
an independent government, for h,
would not want to govern them withou
their consent.
Theoretically the Bryanite position i
untenable, and practically it would b.
doomed to failure the first day that ;
Bryan administration would attempt 1t.
enforcement. The paramount issue ha.
been worked too hard and Colonel Bryar
has been caught in his own trap.