Evening star., 1900-09-18

Roth noltticaI parttes agree that the first
duty of this country Is to establish in the
Philippines a stable government for the ma
tiyes From this point the parties diVeree.
The democrats insist that after establishing
such a government the United States should
depart yet retain the right or protector 10
supervise the operations of the government
so established and prevent other nations
from interfering with the islanders. The re-
publicans propose that the sovereignty shaii
be retained by the United States. without.
however, interfering with the full exercise
by the Filip,nos of their rights as indiv1d-
uals and as a community.
The Presidents instructions to the TAFT
commission. just published, aim at the es-
tabishment of the most stable form OF gov
ernme Mt in the islands regardless OF the fu-
ture disposition of the formal sovereignty.
Thus his letter complies with the primary
requirements of both parties and with the
unquestionabe demand of the people.
These instructions represent the true
Philippines policy of the administration.
They put to shame the partisans who have
yehemently insisted that the government
seeks to establish an imperalistic sovereign
ty over the Filipinos, in a spirit destructive
of the fundaments of American institutions.
The President specifies that the commission
tees of a degree of liberty substantially
similar to that enjoyed by the people or
the American states and territories. He
practically transfers the Constitution to the
islands. With the exception of the trial by
jury and the right to bear arms every right
now enjoyed by the citizens of the republic
is to be extended to the Filpinos who will
accept the sovereignty Of the United States.
The trial by jury will probably come in
good time Until the armed insurrection
still In some measure In progress in Luzon
has been suppressed the government can OF
course not guarantee to the people the right
to bear arms
The manner in which the question Of the
public lands and the status Of the friars Is
treated commends itself especially to the
admiration of those who are able to view
the situation without prejudice. The Pres
ident adopts most wisely the policy of an
entire separation of church and state he
declares against the forced imposition Of
minister upon the people Of g. district, and
he lays the foundation for an equitable in
quiry into the titles to the lands claimed
by the great religious organizations, over
which there Is bitter dispute. But he takes
the precaution to provide against the unjust
confiscation Of such lands as may be wrest-
the commission to act conservatively in ad-
Indicating these titles and to make fun pay
ment whenever it is necessary for the gov
ernment to absorb the legal holdings of
private owners
In general, the letter of instructions COM
mands the highest praise. 1t breathes the
spirit of good government for the Filipinos,
of self-government to the extent that the
people are susceptible OF maintaining that
institution, and of government primarily
designed flor the happiness. peace and
prosperity of the people of the Philippine
Islands," 1t enjoins the establishment Of
authority based upon the small community
as the unit, wherein the people shall have
the fullest possible control over their own
affairs. If this be Imperialism, then it were
far better for the world If there were more
of it. far better for the United States If it
could be spread into those regions where
today great numbers are deprived of voice
In their own affairs, although measuring
UP TO the constitutional standard of citizen
IN