The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-02-11

derstood Whether they would accept
suzerainty would also depend upon the
definition Of the word and the powers
which it implied But now let me briefly
state what intended TO convey to you
the administration is demanding GER
tain rights i'm the Philippines. These are
H. The right and the means to fulfu GER
tain (unspecihed) obligations TO other ma
q The right and the means to protect
life and roperty-foreign and native.
3 basis Of trade and military opera
tions for the far east
A. Coaling stations
g. The right or the desire, to raise us
by a process called benevolent assimila-
tfOn''-Out Of a condition of SaVagery
which does not exist
ministry ton demands that our people
shall surrender Internationally, and sub
init TO American sovereignty
The E1lipinos. on the other hand de-
mand one -'unalienable right namely. IN
government deriving its just powers
from the consent, not Of any foreign
nation but of the governed 1t is o1ly
by the exercise Of this right that the = Ill
pinos will be able to secure equita be
laws. insure Just administra ton. and pre-
vent the exploitation of their country and
its resources
But while firm in this demand. the Fill
pinos are prepared to yield to the United
states everything included implied In
the above list from I to inclusive In
addition to this. they are prepared to
repay. in whole or In part the twenty
million dollars Maid to Snain if the de-
mand be made by the United States.
AS to paragraph >. the Fiiipinos do not
want and VIII not accept anything in the
nation in the world But If any American
citizen or citizens desire to embark in
missionary enterprise and If they really
think that there are those in the Philip
pines VINO need special enlightenment,
missionary zeal without let or hindrance.
The Filipinos would only reserve the right
20 recommend that such missionary zeal
be expended on Spain. or Turkey. or Rus
sla- OF the east end Of London, or per-
haps in some parts of America, where
gently needed than In the Philippines
1T Will. therefore, be seen that every de-
mand tnar the administration IS making,
with the exception Of that denied to
George III, viii be granted BY the FIJI
pinos.
Now. therefore. If the administration
Will say to the Filipinos. We Will not
ceny you the one right which you claim
and which we enjoy. we will grant you
your Independence but we reserve the
L-snt 70 take such steps as are necessary
to enable US to fulhn our obligations and
conserve our rights-the Filipinos viii law
down their arms at once.
If the acceptance of this offer entailed
some definitely defined form of suzeraisl-
ty. or # it necessitated joint action in for
elgn affairs. the retention of the Auerican
troops, or the appointments OF a customs
commissioner. the FTlipinos would raise
no objection provided that these condi-
These and all such questions are matters
treaty. -
do not think could more clearly de-
nne the nature and degree of independ-
ence demanded by the Fflipinos As to
Wnetner this definition would mean saio-
sol1te independence" is a mere matter of
ternlnology- The Fiiipinos are Interested
IN the Iacrs not in the name Narerfhe-
less since words are the SYMBOLS of
tnlngs, there should be no Shrinking from
5ne Iact that the Filipinos do demand in
dependence as defined above And frera
can pc no hope OF ending this war until
l5iat Independence is granted to them
ne tlnpinOs ardentiy desire peace ana
tnsy are prepared TO sacrifice much in
order 10 obtain 1t. But thew will aI1ov-
no man or nation. however powerful 10
-@Ae rom them their una1ienabie riehr
a powerful nation may take their tie
~ they mold that it is better to have
oe Is "a with honor than to bow the head
~ the expense OF legitimate pride ana
sss-l-Les9ect- Ihis determination and sem
Lnlsnt Is shared by practically the whole
poplL@tlon ~ the archipelago. with az
partial exception OF central Mindanao ana
But let there be no misapprehension. n
nus hoA pe thought that our desire ana
spArr BttsA Tor independence are due - anT
AnAp44lAly ~ carry on the war Our forces
60 vi a stronger position today THAI rl1e1y
49, were before They are eafnfnar IL
~, 81 " And IN experience svas-rr ~
1hG tl$oIa or military rule and the raa.
llet4ods OF deportation bind orr r,ans,le
- Ia NeatAleSS determination never ~
DfacIlces 4hereAwiu be no difficultv n, iya