The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-04-11
A Source of Weakness.

intellectual furniture is now being
given by parties who treat the SUR
render and alleged miraculous con-
version of Aguinaldo as the final
victor of Imperialism and adjustment
of the Philippine question.
Supposing that it is true, as init
mated, that Aguinaldo has accom-
panied his oath OF allegiance with
proposals to use his influence for the
pacihcation of the islands and the
reconciliation of the natives under
our sovereignty; supposing that the
war is thus terminated with the COM
plete and final submission of those
millions of little brown men who
have repeatedly declared that they
would be content with nothing less
than independence; suppose a mir
aculous transformation of Philippine
character, as shown in the long
struggle and intrigue with Spain, SO
that we might rest assured of their
tranquility and loyalty under Our
dominion; the question is whether
all these suppositions granted would
make our position in the Philippines
one'to be approved upon grounds of
policy, justice or common sense.
Many believe that there is now a
great war pending in the Orient.
The possession of the Philippines
brings us that much nearer to the
scene Of trouble, so that although
we should easily keep out of it, we
must be brought to realize the es-
seutial weakening of our position
among the nations by the possession
of territory so distant and so vulner-
able A naval station, duly forti-
fed and equipped, would have been
a source of offensive strength; vast
and populous island empire invites
attack, and proves source OF weak
ness, demanding fleets and armies
otherwise available for aggressive
service or home defense. The wise
Old World diplomats and statesmen
have reason to smile scornfully at
our boast of taking our place as
world power" thus illustrated by
the deliberate abandonment of our
natural and unique position as a
compact republic guarded by great
oceans, and pledged to an avoidance
of foreign entanglements; for they
see that our own imperialist states
men have blindly contrived this en-
tanglement, which already claims
two. thirds of Our active naval force
and the greater part OF Our available
army; and they know that tie as
surances of a decreased Philippine
military and naval establishment fol-
lowing the pacifcation ofthe islands
must depend upon circumstances
not entirely within our control, fer
the balance Of power is now feat
tire of our Oriental relations.
The injustice of Our position is
sufficiently measured by reference to
our own standard of national right
and wrong, as applied to the pop
ular basis of government, the prin-
ciple of liberty and representive
government; and references to our
territorial rule of out-posts in the
wilderness are quite feeble in their
application to the swarming race of
Filipinos organized for the govern
ment oftheir own corner of the earth,
in their own way.
The common sense solution of the
situation is clearly as far as possible
from the uncommon spectacle of
American interference against lib
erty in Asia, where anything like
liberty has been long enough un-
known.
The attitude of Aguinaldo and
the Fiipinos need not affect in any
way the answer to these questions
The point is that the holding of
those islands must be a source of
weakness, both at home and abroad
rank injustice to their people,
whether they are content or not and
in the light of our history and our
professions, a rank absurdity. y.-Ex.
House cleaning time is upon MS
and you no doubt will want to paper
| a bed room, or some other room