Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-23
sENAroR RoAR'S POSITION.

The position of Senator Hoar regard
ing the Philippines is well known to the
country, but his speech yesterday again
defining his views will command gen.
eral attention and perhaps will be more
widely read and discussed than any
other speech that has been or will be
made on the subject. This because all
men recognize not only the great ability
of the distinguished Massachusetts, sena-
tor, but also his absolute sincerity and
fidelity to his conscientious convictions.
Mr.. Hoar's attitude respecting the
Philippine policy of the government has
been entirely consistent, which is not
the case with some others who condemn
that policy. He has not stultiied him
self as have the democrats In the senate
who have been most conspicuous and
vehement in denouncing the course of
the government and assailing the army
in the Philippines.
The telegraphic summary. Of Senator
Hoar's speech does not show that he
added anything new to the discussion.
Much of it appears to be a repetition. in
different phraseology, Of what had gone
before. 1t is no more convincing than
his previous u%tterances on the subject
and these have failed to convert any
considerable number of the American
people to the senator's views. Even in
his own state he has not succeeded In
influencing popular sentiment to any APP
preciable extent and his party there is
overwhelmingly opposed to him on the
Philippine question, His latest deliver
ance, therefore, will probably nave little
If any effect upon the public mind. 1t
may serve t strengthen the views OF
those who believe as Mr.. Hoar does, but
it will hardly increase their number,
The statement that this government
had erected a despotism in the Philip
pines is clearly unwarranted and Is an
impeachment of the policy Of President
Mckinley. still being pursued, for which
no justification can be found in his
proclamations and instructions to the
military and civil authorities in the
Philippines defining the policy and pur-
pose of the government. Not the Massa-
chusetts senator himself is more hostile
to despotism than was William McKin-
ley. In regard to the Philippine army,
it is gratifying to have the admission
from Mr.. Hoar that he believes the OH
GERS, in general, are humane, yet he
does not think the war on u part has
been conducted with humanity. The
| fact that there have been acts Of cruelty
is not questioned and no q in author
ity has attempted to excuse or justify
Ltfem. But these acts have not been
common or general and it is a well at
tested fact that as a rule and with rare
exceptions the Filipinos have been hu-
namely treated. There is much native
testimony TO this effect. A thorough IN
~yestigation Of alleged cruelty is being
made and there is the assurance OF
President Roosevelt that those found
guilty of b~arbarities shall be punished.
| Until this investigation is completed II
would be well not to arraign the whole
army, as has been done,
Senator Hoar has doubtless made az
strong a case against the Philippine
policy Of the government as can be made
and there the discussion should end and
the senate act upon the pending bill pro-
yiding for civil government in The Phil
ippines and the Inauguration OF eondi
lions deemed necessary to the future
welfare OF the islands.