The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-03
by the great powers. who would not need
to seek far for pretenses for intervention

by the great powers. who would not need
to seek far for pretenses for intervention.
No Escape From Responsibility.
Undoubtedly the raising of the American
flag in the Philippine islands has entailed
great responsibility on US. but to guarantee
external protection, while renouncing in
ternal dominion, Is in no way of escaping
from them. On the contrary while you pull
down the flag you only pile up difficulties"
The example OF Great Britain. which the
commission says has been brilliantly sue
cessful in governing dependent people. has
suggested colonial form OF government
and this plan seems TO have won greater
favor with the general public than any
other. Therefore, the commission with
some care goes into the different kinds Of
British colonies and corresponding types
Of colonial governments.
There Is no analogy" says the COM
mission, between the relations OF the
self-governing colonies OF Australia or OF
Canada TO Great Britain, and that of the
Philippine islands to the United States.
Instead OF the community of blood, race
and language. there Is the greatest d.
versity. and instead OF a common polit-
zeal experience, the one already breathes
the air of freedom, the other has been
repressed BY despotism. Clearly tho
plan OF sef-governing colony Is a mis-
NJ to the Philippines"
British Colonial Plans.
The commission then discusses tho
other two types OF British colony--crown
colony and colony having representative
institutions. but no responsible govern
ment, typifed by British Guiana and
Hongkong respectiveiy-but neither style.
the commission points out. after lengthy
argument. should be applied to the Phil
ippiner.
A territorial government. It concludes.
Is desideratum.
JeRerson's Louisiana Plans.
The commission takes as the basis
OF the government proposed the terri
toriai organization Of Louisiana. The
act IL set forth in full 1t provides for
governor and secretary Of the treas
ury. and invests the legislative power in
n council appointed annually by the pres
ident. The courts are also provided for.
This scheme OF government, says tho
commission. possesses. besides its in
trinsic merits. the historical interest at
tachins 70 origination with the author
Of the Declaration Of Independence. JEFF
ferson had outlined a first sketch ~
early AZ November. 1909. He seems to
have felt no inconGruity between the
principles OF the Declaration of Indepen-
dence Of the thirteen governing coll
onies and this scheme OF government for
the politically inexperienced inhabit-
tante OF Louisiana. Indeed. he COM
plains with some bitterness. In December.
1854. when differences of opinion devel-
oped as to the manner OF disposing OF
Louisiana. that although 1t Is acknowl-
az vet rs incapable OF seif-government as
children. yet some cannot bring them
selves TO suspend Its principles a single
moment"
Larger Liberty for the Filipinos.
From the outset. however. the commits
sion believes II safe and desirable to ex-
tend to the Fiipinos larger liberty OF self
government than Jefferson approved OF for
the inhabitants OF Louisiana. assuming that
in the Suiu archipelago and portions Of tho
other islands as are occupied by tribes OF
Indians the government will be conducted
through the agency of their sultans or
chiefs The commission believes the people
Of the remainder OF the islands should bs
permitted to elect al least members Of the
lower branch Of the territorial legislature
and at least half the members OF the up
par house should be appointed by the presi-
dent With such safeguards in American
hands and qualified veto power for the
governor general. including the right TO
suspend the law for year. even after its
psssaxe by a vote OF two-thirds OF the
Legislature over his veto. this plan Of gov
eminent which II on the tines OF tho con-
stttutton prepared for the commiasion by
the Ffhpinos, who sought to adjust the
elaine OF tho insurgent leaders to the right
q the American sovereignty. would prob
ably be adequate for the purpose OF good
government This II especially true. the
commission says, since congress may and
should retain the right TO veto territorial
legislation.
Omces for the FiIipinos.
Nearly all the Offices will. under this
form OF government. be filled by Fiiipinos
themselves, and the merit system must be
adopted and lived up to.
The Coaciusions Reached.
In connection with the subject of govern
n'eN the commission reaches the follow
Ing conclusions:
draw from tho Philippines We are there.
and duty bids us remain. There is no
escape from our responsibility TO the Fili-
pinos and TO mankind for the government
% the archipelago and the amalioratio OF
the condition OF It's inhahitants
"6eeond-The Filipinos are wholly un.
prepared for Independence, and tf indie
pendenec were given to them they could
not maintain II"
Under the third head Is included a copy
of Admiral peweys letter TO senator
Lodge which Was read Ia the senate the
other day, denying Aguiualdo's claim that
he was promised Independence
'Fourth-Thcre being no Philippine ma
tion. but only a collection OF different peo.
plea there r. no general public opinion
in the archipelago. but the men OF prnp.
erty and education. who alone interest
themselves IN public affairs. In general
recognise a. Indispensable authority.
guidance and protection.
"fifth--Conwress should at the earliest
practicable time provide for the Phsnp-
s,a ha far If Ant