The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1902-01-23
Congress and the Philippians.

Congress and the Philippians.
Despite Il seeming show of consIcIce
II the treatment Of the problems of the
archipelago. Congress cannot disguise
| Is fears as to the adequacy of the so
utions that may be adopted
The Democratic members of that
5ocy do not assume the responsibility
of graphing with a question which the
Republican majority will insist upon
settling, and white they look upon the
outcome with no little concern-as all
good citizens must-the political sweat
box is now chiefly occupied by states
men of the dominant party.
The Republicans have assumed for
political reasons that the Filipinos are
incapable Of elf-government. which is
equivalent to saying that they are bar
barians. il not worse when adjudged
from intellectual standpoints. and that
4 patriarchal supervision over their af-
fairs must be observed
Yet the lie has been given this as
sumption in the appointment of ma
tives to positions of great responsible
ty and trust. and i'm the effort 10 intro
luce system of local government sub
ordinate to the federal power.
The Philippine commission was ere
ated with u view to pacifying the ma
tives. to the end that local Self-gOvern-
ment might be brought about and con-
fidence in the federal authority devel-
oped and maintained.
This Is clearly shown by the report
submitted by that body, the following
excerpt being in point:
''If Congress will reduce by 30 per
cent the United States duty on tobacco,
hemp and sugar, and other merchan-
disc coming from these islands, it is
certain that the trade between them
and the United States under the new
tariff will increase by leaps and
bounds. Such generosity would much
strengthen the bonds between the Fill
pinO and the American people. and it
is earnestly recommended"
The Republican majority in Con-
gress, however, did not evince any de-
sire to>increase the trade between the
United States and the archipelago "by
leaps and bounds" or to strengthen
the bonds between the FilipinOs and
the American people," by any such
processes as the commission suggested.
while bullets and powder can be sue
cessfully used rs reconcilers.
Instead of acting upon the recon-
mendations of the committee Congress
actually raised the export duties in
stead Of lowering any Of them, and, by
the logic of the situation, weakened in
stead of strengthened the bonds of uni
ty to which the committee referred.
By this procedure the Republican
party has REINFORCED its shotgun poll
cy in the Philippines. by feeding the
distrust of the natives and teaching
them that while honOring the flag they
must likewise respect the first law Of
of self-preservation.
Without trade concessions from the
hands of the cOnquerors the conquered
can never be brought within the lines
of loyalty and become the trusted en-
voys of the flag.
Had it not been for n liberal and
policy of reconstruction.
which. with all its faults and evils of
pointed out the way to
an intelligent solution of the problems
growing out of the Civil War, the
South, though conquered. would be still
In state Of insurrection against the
federal government
Until equitable trade relations are es-
tablished with the Philippines. and the
ceases 20 look upon SUBJ
dued foe as a permanent object of ma
tional suspicion. the Filipinos may be
depended upon to maintain guerilla
of as vicious type as the cir
will permit.
This will. in turn. call for more
troops. more fighting. more military
equipment. and the federal policy of
which has been applied
under a humanitarian mask to the red
Indian of America.-St. Louis Republic.