Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-12-09
PEACE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Rights of Liberty and Government
Reach Limit of Advisability.


Reach Limit of Advisab i1ity.
On July last, on the 10th anniversary
of the Declaration of Independence, peace
and amnesty were promulgated In the
Philippine Islands. Some trouble has since
from time to time threatened with the
Mohammedan Moros, but with the late in
surrectionary Filipinos the war has entirely
ceased. Civil government has now been
introduced. Not only does each Filipino
enjoy such rights TO life. liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness as he has never before
known during the recorded history OF the
islands. but the people taken as a whole
now enjoy measure OF self-goyernment
greater than that granted to any other
Oriental by any foreign power ana greater
than that enjoyed by any other Orientals
under their own governments. save Inc
In granting these rights of liberty and self
government; but we have certainly gone to
the limit that In the interests OF the Phllp-
pine people themselves 1t was wise or just
to GO To hurry matters, to so faster than
we are now going, would entail calamity on
the people Of the Islands. No policy ever
entered into by the American people has
vindicated itself In more signal manner
than the policy of holding the Philippines.
The triumph of our arms above all the
triumph of our laws and the principles. has
come sooner than we had any right to ex-
pect Too much praise cannot be given to
the army for wha. Ii has done in the Philip
pines both In warfare and from an ad-
ministratiye standpoint in preparing the
way for civil government--Hd similar credit
belongs to the civil aulh 0.tt:es for the way
in which they have pIansel the seeds OF
seIf-government In the ground thGs made
ready for them. The courage, the unninch-
ing endurance. the high soldierty efnclency'
and the general kind heartedness and HUI
manity of our troops have been strikingly
manifested There now remain only some
$1,000 troops In the Islands. All told. over
100000 have been sent there.
Constructive Statesmausnip,
81 Of fha M
civil authorities together. II may be ques-
toned whether anywhere else In modern
times the world has seen better exsmple
OF real constructive craftsmanship than our
people have given In the Philippine Islands.
High praise should also be given those
FllipInos. In the aggregate very numerous,
who have accepted the new conditions and
with hearty good win for the welfare OF
the islands,
The army has been reduced TO the mini
mum allowed by law. Ii Is very small for
the size OF the nation, aud most certainly
should be kept at the highest point Of eff
neiency. The senior officers are given scant
chance under ordinary conditions 10 exer-
else commands commensurate with their
rank. under circumstances which would ct
them TO do their duty In time OF actual
war. A system Of maneuvering our army
In bodies Of some little size has been be-
gun and should be steadily continued.
Without such maneuvers II Is folly to
expect that In the event of hostiiities with
any serious Zoe even a small army corps
could be SGndled TO advantage. Both our
officers and enlisted men are such that We
can take hearty pride In them. No better
material can he found. But they must be
thoroughly trained both as individuals and
IN the mass. The craftsmanship OF the
men must receive special attention
urgently call your attention 20 the need
OF passing bin providing for a general
stan and for the reorganization of the sup
ply departments on the lines Of the bill
proposed By the Secretary Of War last year.
When the young officers enter the army
from West Paint they probably stand above
their eompeers In any other military serv-
Ice. Every effort shrouid be made. by train
ing. by rewsrd Of merit. by scrutiny into
their careers and capacity. to keep them
OF the same high relative excellence
throughout their careers.
The measures providing for the reor-
ganiEation of the militia system snd for
securing the highest efficiency In the ma
tsonal guard. which has already passed the
House. should receive prompt attention AID
action
Naval MareuverS aud The Object.
For the nrst time In our history naval
maneuvers On large scale are being aeaa
under the Immediate command Of the ad-
mfral OF the navy Constantly Increasing
attention Is being paid 10 the gGn1ery OF
the navy. bat Il IS yet far from what II
crease asked for by the Secretary Of the
Navy IN the appropriation for improving
the craftsmanship he granted
There should Be no halt In the work OF
baIlding ap the navy. providing every year
additional Gxhtiog craft We are 3 Fery
rich canntry. vast In extent OF territory
and great In population. a ceonsry. mere
over. Which has an army diutngtiTe ind I'D
when coDpcsed with that Of any other urSt-
class POWER We hare deliberately made car
own certain feretgn policies which demand
the possession Of drSt-ctsSs navy. TAe
Isshmlan CznAi VIII greatly increase the ef-
aciency Of cur navy II the nzty e 81 sur
ecler1 sine bat IL we have an inadequate
navy, thea tie building q the canal would
he merely sivirg a hostage Co any power
Of superior strength TIE Aongoe Doctrine
Should be treated 80 the cardlaal feature