New-York tribune., 1901-01-17
THE FILIPINO PETITION.

THE FILIPINO PETITION.
Through the good offices of Senator Teller, of
Colorado a document denominated by its sign
ers an appeal TO the Congress of the United
States, and dated six months ago, was read IN
the Senate on January 10 and incorporated IN
THE Congressional Record to be used, we sup
pose by the "Anti-Imperialists, as a document
for distribution under the convenient frank of
members of the House and Senate The docu-
ment itself is a curious mixture of impudence
and respectful representation, of vlndlctlV2nesS
and Cancellation. of defiance and appeal. 1t pur-
ports to be signed by "Filipinos and peaceful IN
''habtants of Manila, in their own name ana III
the name of the msnamed 'irreconctlables, but
it does not increase it's own credit by asserting,
as it does in its description of the Facts ABOUT
the Present Problem, that 'since the revolution
began until now the peaceful people who are
engaged in their ordinary vocations have liber-
ally supported in private the National Filipino)
soldiers and they seem TO be disposed to sun
port them all the time so long as the war lasts
II NAV well be doubted If this charge has any
considera BILE basis in fact but, at the beginning
of the appeal it cannot be said to be ausnl-
cous.
The document endeavors TO establish eight prl-
mary propositions, the chief of which are that
the revolution now in progress is only part
of that begun in 1896. long before the American
occupation and that it was the work OF the pun
lic that the sole idea from the beginning was IN
dependence: that the Flipinos still expect from
America that she will consider their claims
with impartiality and justice. and thus give
them an opportunity TO show their boundless
gratitude" and that neither annexation nor au-
tonomy is feasible the Filipinos being firm for
self government. The address concludes with
description of the commercial and other DehentS
which the Filpnos would stand ready to grant
10 the United States by treaty, and with a de
mand for independence. In presenting the ap-
peal OF petition Mr.. Teller said that the docu-
ment was signed by the leading people of Manila
and vicinity, about two thousand in number,
LAWYERS and bankers and professional men gen
orally.
II cannot be said that there is anything very
hopeful either in the conception. the manner or
the material of the document. Its language in
passages is so extravagant as to be absurd; in
others it presents. with skill and adroitnesS the
difficulties already encountered and those yet TO
be encountered by our soldiers. The confession
of the treachery Of supposed Amigos ana OF
the adoption of brigandage as a mode OF war
fare only makes more evident spirit already
understood 10 exist. 1t is unfortunate for the
.netitioners" that their document was published
simultaneously with telegraphic dispatches
which gave the substance of general orders from
the Philippines showing the inhuman methods or
the rebels in the treatment of American prison
ers and of natives who do not adhere to the
rebel cause methods not sanctioned by the linn
its. such as they are, even of partisan warfare.
and which stamp their perpetrators as outlaws
and assassns careful study of the document.
min loci Of
cerity running all through There are many plot-
estations many declamations, much beating OF
the breast. many appeals to honor and the gods,
but they seem like stage properties doing duty IN
a new setting. Boastfulness and cunning are
the qualities most evident on n second reading.
The Filipinos the petitioners assert with easy
insolence, are in no danger of running out of
arms and ammunition, since they can readily
CAPTURE these from the Americans. The note of
the demagogue is not lacking. The horrors OF
the war says the appeal, "only dissuade the self
sufficient and the rich while we notice a con
"trary effect on the people
Just what is gained by the presentation of
such document is rather hard to decide, from
whatever point Of view 1t is regarded. Certainly
there is no possibility of the Filipino cause being
benefited by it, Perhaps 1t is simply one more
evidence of the singular blindness of those n
this country who, having embarked upon an un-
reasonable and mistaken policy of opposition.
appear no longer to be able 10 distinguish be-
tween the worse and the better reason.