The Tucson citizen., 1901-12-26
THE PHILIPPINE DISGRACE.

American people that Senior luneA,
who was arrested in Batangas pro-
vince for holding reasonable com
munications with the insurgents" had
been hanged 1t was fur her stated
that the executed Filipino was a
brother of Sexto Lopez, Aguinaldo's S
representative in Europe and that Re
had been n wealthy merchant in
Manila and Batangas.
Is this cheerful information for the
American people? Does it sound tight?
Does the spirit OF Washington and
Jefferson, of Anthony Wayne. OF the
Adamses and Lees and Carrolls per-
meate it? Hanged for holling treason
able communications with the insur-
gents, Does it sound American
Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace,
but there is no peace" There can be
no peace in the Philippines, there
can be no peace in the American
mind. when such things are possible
Make no mistake about it: If Lopez
can be hanged on December "a, l9ot,
for holding reasonable COmmunica-
tions with the insurgents, American
citizens may be hanged quarter of
a century later on a less frivolous
charge.
Holding reasonable communications
with the insurgents that is to say
pie. maybe to his own kin. And the
republic OF Washington has come to
that in the first year, OF the Twentieth
Century. Already our military COM
manders have established concentra-
tions camps. as Weyler did in Cuba
and as Kitchener Is doing in South
Africa. We ought TO be ashamed OF
ourselves. There is stain on the
flag.
And for what are we doing this? Are
we getting rich out of the disgracefui
and degrading enterprise? During the
past Government year there was col
lected at Philippine ports for Import
duties sl4.G05. .S5S; for export duties
s1.444 30i. Other incidental sources
of revenue brought the total income
for governmental purposes mp to So
350.41l Mexican currency. This
considerable fund, which is likely TO
Increase from year to year. is devoted
TO paving salaries. rents rebates, po-
lice and constabulary and public
school teachers Harbor improvements
at Manila are contemplated, and roads
must be constructed throughout the
settled portions OF the archipelago,
There will be no lack of devices for
spending public money derived from
customs taxes and export duties. even
though profound peace should prevail
in the islands,
II is this apparent requirement or
local administration which was put
forward by the Republicans In Con-
gress as determining and conclusive
reason for installing and maintaining
indefinitely a duplex system or Gus
tom taxation as between the United
States and the Philippines. A civil
government exercised over probably
3 900 000 10 1000. 900 civilized and
half-civilized nauycs and an equal or
larger number of barbarians and
Sayages is given authority and Cnntro,
over q per capita revenue larger thar.
that Of most of the enlightened States
% the American Union. In addition
the home Government must pay the
expenses of military occupation and
operations. amounting ut the present
no Indications Of material reduction.
As General Chaffoe has clearly pointed
out. military control must be exercised
indefinitely in the ISLANDS and so far
a5 can br Judged from past events
must be recognized as a permanent
element Of tne political and economic
sluation there,
This is the true meaning, no doubt
Of the Republican proposal in Con-
grcss To reduce nationaism In the
Philippines to an Illusion and barrct
idcality. A vast insular revenue must
be provided. and in default o. internal
sources this can be drawn only from
commerce and trade with the islands.
increase of traffic means increase of
import and cxpoI, duties without any
commensurate national relief from the
burden of an overgrown military
establishment And this pitful badger
game is cited by the Republicans in
Congress as evidence and demonstra-
tion of sound patriotism and wise