Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1900-01-11
PLAN OF DEMOCRATS.
Policy of Democratic Leaders in Che
House Regarding the Phil
iDpines.


few days ago Mr.. Williams, of Mis-
sissippi, presented a resolution which,
to use his language, is 1.-The result of
consultation among number of dem
ocratic leaders in the house" The
resolution declares it to be the pur-
pose of the government to withdraw
its land and sea forces from the Phil
ippines upon the establishment of
peace and the organization of gov
ernment or governments by the peo-
pie of the islands, provided the Fill
pino government or governments re-
fund to us the $2O,00O,O0O which was
paid to Spain. The Filipinos are to
give us naval station and coaling
stations, free access for our merchan-
disc and our missionaries; but for
period of ten years they are to sur
render into our keeping "the entire
question of foreign relations" and to
pay the expenses of any troops we
may keep on Philippine territory at
the request of the island government.
The foregoing, according to Mr.. Will
liams, is the policy o2 the democratic
leaders of the house in relation to the
cratic declaration of the house has
been doubted outside, but no demo-
crat in the house protested, so it is
fair to assume that the resolution re-
fleets the sentiment of the party in
that branch of congress. 1t does not
seem that Mr.. Williams and his asso-
ciates asked Mr.. Bryan if this shall
be the democratic policy, but the hasty
zeal of Mr.. Williams in behalf of gov
ernment by the consent of the gov
erned must be pardoned, since he lives
in a state which has deprived 100000
voters of their right to express con-
sent or dissent regarding their gov
ernment by taking from them the
right of suffrage. He evidently de-
sires to make amends for the outrage
in which he participated by giving to
men bearing arms against the United
States the right to do as they please.
There can be no doubt that if Mr..
Williams friend, Aguinaldo, could be
overtallen and presented with a copy
of his Joint resolution he would ac-
c.pt with thanks, provided the Amer
lean congress would adopt it. Under
such freedom as the resolution gives
Aguinaldo would return to Manila and
go about governing without regard to
the consent of anyone-the work of
governing, in his vocabulary, being
synonymous with robbing the natives
with dispatch and neatness. Nor
would he stop with the natives; he
would turn upon the foreigners and
compel them to empty into his strong
box the profits of their commerce,
Aguinaldo absolute power without re-
sponsibility. The plundered English
and German merchants would appeal
to their respective governments, and
their respective governments would
call upon the United States, having
entire charge of the foreign relations
of Aguinaldo's government, to relm-
burse their subjects for property taken
by him and his associates. Having
charge of the foreign relations of the
Filipino government, we would be
obliged to pay the damages. We
might send our ships to lombard Ma
Mia until Aguinaldo should disgorge,
but it would be very expensive and
unsatisfactory. IL would be much
cheaper to let Aguinaldo rob the for
eign merchants at his sweet will and
for us TO foot the bills without a word.
Aguinaldo would appreciate that sort
of thing.
1t is unfortunate for Aguinaldo that
this democratic resolution cannot
reach him. 1t is just what he has been
having his friends killed for 1t gives
him all he has ever asked for and all
that he desires-the undisputed right
to rob everybody in the Philippines.
In fact, it is more than he has asked
for, since the United States govern
ment must protect him against intru-
sion while he plumbers. This resolu-
tion must gladden. Edward Atkinson,
Andrew Carnegie, Carl Schurz, Wins
low and most of the democratic lead
ers in the north who have expressed
opinions on the Philippine question.
BY all means bring the house to a vote
on the resolution in case it receives
the approval of Mr.. Bryan.-Indian-
apolis journal.
PRESS OPINIONS.