The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-04

therefore, obtain an outfit of HYOMFI
from their druggists at-eHee,- send
to THE r. T. BOOTH CO., Ithaca. N.
T. for free sample of the new rene
d..
History may safely be challenged to
snow single instance in which a mas
terful race such as ours, having been
forced by the exigencies of war to take
possession OF an alien land, has be-
haVed to its inhabitants with the dis
interested zeal for their progress thar
our people have shown in the Philip
pines. To leave the islands at this
Time would mean that they would fall
into a welter of murderous anarchy
Such desertion of duty on our mart
would be crime against humanity.
The character of Gov. Taft and of his
associates and subordinates is a proof,
IL such be needed, of the
sincerity of our effort to give the
islanders a constantly increasing
measure of self government, exactly as
fast as they show themselves fit to ex-
ercise it. Since the civil government
was established not an appointment
mas been made in the islands with any
reference to considerations of political
influence, or to aught else save the fit
ness of the man and the needs of the
service.
In our anxiety for the welfare and
progress of the Philippines, it may be
that here and there we have gone too
rapidly in giving them local self-gov-
eminent. 1t is on this side that our
error. if any, has been committed. No
competent observer, sincerely DESTROYS
of finding out the facts and influenced
only by a cesire for the welfare Of the
natives, can assert that we have not
| gone far enough. We have gone to
| the very verge of safety in Fastening
| the process. To have taken "A single
| step farther or faster in advance would
! have been folly and weakness. and
| might well have been crime We are
extremely anxious that the natives
SHAH show the power of governing
| themselves. We are anxious, first for.
| their sakes. and next, because it re-
leVes us of a great burden There
need not be the slightest fear of cur
not continuing to give them all the lib
erty for which they are fit.
The only fear is lest in our overanx-
iety we give them a degree of indie
pendence for which they are unfit.
thereby inviting reaction and disaster.
AS fast as there is any reasonable hope
that in a given district the people can
govern themselves, self government
has been given in that district There
is not locality fitted for self-govern-
ment which has not received it, But
1t may well be that in certain cases it
Will have to be withdrawn because the
Inhabitants show themselves unfit to
exercise it; such instances have al
ready occurred. In other words there
is not the slightest chance of our failing
to show a sufficiently humanitarian
spirit. The danger comes in the on
posite direction.
There are still troubles ahead in the
islands. The instruction has become
an affair of local banditti and marau-
ders, who deserve no higher regard
than the brigands of portions of the
Old World. announcement, direct or
indirect, to these insurrectos stands on
the same roofing as encouragement to
hostile Indians in the days when we
still had Indian wars. Exactly as our
ann is to give to the Indian who re-
mains peaceful the fullest and amplest
consideration, but to have 1t understood
that we will show no weakness if he
goes on the warpath, so we must make
it evident, unless we are false to our
own traditions and to the demands
of civilization and humanity
that while we will do everything in
our power for the Filipino who
is peaceful, we will take the sternest
measures with the Filipino who fol-
lows the path of the insurrecto and
the ladrone.
The heartiest praise is due to large
numbers of the natives of the islands
for their steadfast loyalty. The Maca-
bebes have been conspicuous for their
courage and devotion to the flag.
recommend that the Secretary of War
be empowered to take some systematic
action in the way of aiding those Of
! these men who are crippled in the ser
vice and the families of those who are
killed.
The time has come when there should
be additional legislation for the Phil
ippines. Nothing better can be done
for the islands than to introduce in
dustrial enterprises. Nothing would
| benefit them so much as throwing
them open to industrial development.
The connection between idleness and
mischief is proverbial, and the oppor-
tunity to do remunerative work is one
of the surest preventives of war. or
course no business man will go into
the Philippines unless IL is to his in
terest to do so; and IL is immensely
to the interest Of the islands that he
should go i'm. 1t is therefore neces-
sary that the Congress should pass
laws by which the resources of the
islands can be developed; so that fran
chises (for limited terms OF years. can
ness in them, and every encourage
ment be given to the incoming of bus
mess men of every kind.
Not to permit this is to do wrong
to the Philippines. The franchises
must be granted and the business per-
mitted only under regulations which
will guarantee the islands against any
kind Of improper exploitation But
the vast natural wealth OF the islands
must be developed, and the capital
willing to develop 1t must be given
the opportunity. The field must be
thrown open TO individual enterprise,
which has been the real factor in the
development of every region over
which our flag has flown. IL is urgent
~ necessary TO enact suitable laws
dealing with general transportation.
mining. banking, currency. homesteads
| and the use. and ownership of the lands