The Washington times., 1902-04-09
Islanders Prepared for Best
Type of Republican
Institutions.
AMERICANS A CHOSEN PEOPLE
No War Conducted With So Much Hu-
manity, Careful Consideration, and
Self Restraint as the American Mill
tary Operations in the Philippines.

General Macarthur continued yesterday
before the Senate Philippine Committee
the statement which be began on Monday
as to the condition and prospects OF the
Philippine archipelago and as to the policy
which he thinks ought to be pursued in
regard to their occupation and govern
ment by the United States.
After giving a historical sketch OF the
growth of liberal democratic ideas in
France and Spain for the last century. he
said that the germs Of democracy had
reached the Philippine archipelago, and
that as a matter of fact the Filipinos at
the time of the occupation imbibed a very
considerable degree of the spirit of the
Spanish revolution. When he went to
Manila to assume supreme command, he
had reached the conclusion that there
could be planted in these islands the best
type of republican institutions.
Essential to National Development
Discussing the question in its political
and economical views, General Macarthur
declared the possession of the archipelago
to be essential to the national develop
ment. If they we're not to be secured
otherwise they must even be fought for
They were the finest group of islands in
the world. Their strategical position
was unexcelled. When the Filipinos came
to understand that the Americans were q
chosen people" they might be depended
upon to follow the American flag, what
ever fate the future might have in store.
BLOOD and ideas are he said. the
basis of all human progress. We are liy-
ing in heroic age of human history.
1T seemed to me when | returned to
Manila 10 assume the supreme comma nd
that We were committed to the position
there by process OF spontaneous evolu-
tion. To doubt the wisdom of that is to
doubt the stability of our own institu-
tions and to declare in effect that self
governing nation is incapable OF success
fully protecting its own energy.
The general conclusion which l drew
is, that we are Enthusiastically the iustru
ments by which great events are being
accomplished which will influence the fu-
ture history of the world TO a greater ex-
tent than anything else since the discov-
cry of America. Inspiration and hope go
with out flag. We are planting in those
islands iInperishable ideas. while all other
Governments have simply planted trading
establishments
An Unparalleled Warfare.
Speaking of the conduct of the war
General Macarthur said:
Il doubt if any war. either international
or civil. has been conducted with SO much |
so much careful consideration. |
and so much seh-restraint as the Amer- |
can military operations have been in the |
Philippine archipelago"
III reply to question of the chairman, |
the general stated that while some of the |
125 900 soldiers who had passed through |
the islands had committed exc esses, the |
general conduct OF the army was good. !
Wherever there had been any violation of
the rules of war the remedy had bean in
stantly applied.
In response to questions Gen. MacAr
hur entered a general denial of charges
If cruelty against the American army.
Asked as to what the Filipinos thought of
us. the general said they like our instt-
utions. but at first distrusted us indi-
,idually because We are so entirely differ
mt from any people they had heretofore
net.
In answer to Mr Carmack. Gen. Mac
Arthur said that he would be willing to |
give the Filipinos considerable voice in |
heir own government. and would like to |
zee item well represented IN their CEN |
raj government. He hoped a general |
;ranting of franchise would not be en- |
cred upon now. nor until the political |
of the people had progressed |
urther Railroads. however. were a ne |
essity. and should be built as speedily |
IS possible.
Mr. Carmack moved that the Secretary |
+ War should be asked to send to the |
ommittee the diary of Col Villa. one of 1
he STAFF officers captured with Aguiualdo.
nd for the records in the case of Col
letcalfe. who was accused of killing an
narmed Filipino. Action on the motion
;as postponed until the next meeting of |
he committee, which will be held tomor-