Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-01-28
Congress and tho Philippines.

,~>ooos~~oSr~e-o-es~c~<>~
Congress and the Philippines.
Despite seeming show of confidence
b the treatment of the problems of the
archipelago. Congress cannot disguise
It's fears as to the adequacy of the so
lutions that may be adopted.
The Democratic members Of that
body do not assume the responsibility
Of graphing with question which the
Republican majority will insist upon
settling. and while they look upon the
outcome with no little ccncern-as all
good citizens must-the political sweat
box is nov chiefly occupied by states
men of the dominant party.
The Republicans have assumed for
political reasons that the Filipinos are
incapable of self-government. which is
equivalent to saying that they are bar
barians, if not worse. when adjudged
from intellectual standpoints, and that
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 responsibili-
ty and trust. and in the effort to intro
duce system OF local government sub
ordinate to the federal power.
The Philippine commission was GRE
ated with a 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 80 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
Pine 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 as 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 re-enforced its shotgun poll
cy in the Philippines. by feeding the
distrust CT the natives and teaching
them that while honorlng the flag they
must likewise respect the first law of
nature-that 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-
yoys Of the flag.
Had it not been for liberal and
far-reaching policy of reconstruction.
which, with all its faults and evils Of
carpetbagism. pointed out the way to
an intelligent solution of the problems
growing out os the Civil War, the
South, though conquered, would be still
in a state of instruction against the
federal government.
Until equitable trade relations are es-
tablished with the Philippines. and the
government ceases to look upon a sub
dued foe as permanent object of ma
tional suspicion, the Flipinos may be
depended upon 20 maistain a guerilla
warfare of as vicious a type as the cir
cumstances will permit
This will, in turn, call for more
troops. more fighting, more military
! equipment, and the federal policy of
determination which has, been applied
under a humanitarian mask to the red
Indian of America-St. Louis Republic.