The Opelousas courier., 1902-02-22
Washington, ID. c., News.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Feb. |

| W NE Ss9 4No"Ss
| From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Feb. II, 1902.
The wisdom Of the Democratic
Senators in proIonging the debate
on the Philippine question until all
had time to fairly express their
opinions on the subject has been
justified i'll the divergent interests
which are beginning to manifest
themselves ON the Republican side
OF the chamber. In the face of the
testimony of Governor Taft, and of
the contentious of the Republican
Senators that the Filipinos are con
tented with the existing state of
affairs. there has been received a
petition from the federal party in
the islands, signed by 100000 of
the more prominent citizens, re-
questing that the islands be made
All integral part of the United States
and given u territorial form of gov
ernment, This, OF course, is not
at all i'll line with the Republican
designs, but it has produced coll
siderable effect on the more conser-
vative members of the party, who
are beginning to realize that their
colonial policy is impracticable, and
that unless they accord the Fill
plnos territorial rights and hold out
to them the prospect of ultimate
citizenship, they are likely to have
continuous insurrectiOn on their
hands, and one that will increase
rather than diminish. With Sena-
tor Foraker urging a reduction of
Is per cent. of the Dingley tariff
rates and Senator Mitchell demand
ing IL reduction Of so per cent. the
outcome OF the present bill is hard
to predict, but whatever the Repub-
licans determine upon they have
the strength to carry. A more seri-
GUS contest will be precipitated,
however, when the Philippine gov
ernment bill comes up for consider
alton.
1t is something of Il commentary
OIL Republican diplomacy that while
the administration is endeavoring
to establish cordial relations with
the Filipinos, and inspire in them
respect for American institutions,
Gov. Taft is testiFying in Washing
ton that they are "a lazy, indolent
people, incapable Of performing
jury duty" or determining questions
of Justice. OF course, the press of
the islands publishes these state
ments, and doubtless the people
will be fiattercd into an immediate
appreciation of the American sense
of Justice, quickness of perception
and keenness Of judgment.
To close observer the trend of
the government toward colonialism,
entangling alliances with foreign
powers, and the attendant naval
and military development is neces-
sarily d source of anxiety. The SEN
timents expressed in the Senate
lobbies when the news of the Anglo
Japanese alliance was made known
were more than straWs in their in
dication of the direction in which
the country is drifting. The mill
tary strength of the country, al
ready weakened by the distant pos
sessions which must be protected
in time of war, must now be aug
mented and the country placed on
the highway toward u standing
army and a navy that can compete
with the European nations into
rivalry with which we have entered
in the new struggle for colonial
possessions and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
AS is we'll known, the efforts of our
delegates to the Pan-American Con
gress were hampered by the belief
Of South American countries that
this government regarded them
with covetous eye. The fear was
ridiculed by the press, but on Fri:
day a member of the Senate Com.
mittee on Interoceanic Canals stated
that permanent ownership Of the
land through which the Panama
Canal might be built was unimpor-
tant, as long before the 200 year
lease would have expired this coun,
try would town all that territory
Opposition to this tendency foun d
voice in the House on Friday when
Mr.. Wheeler of Kentucky made a
violent attack upon the administra
tion for it's policy in regard to for.
eign nations and royalty. Had the
gelitleman's speech been a little
more carefully prepared and had he
omitted some expressions to which
he was doubtless led by the excess
Of his feelings, the address wonld
have proved more effective. Under
lying the somewhat extravagant
language he used was the stratum
of a great truth.
For Rent-A small farm near
Opelousas suitable for market
garden, dairy and poultry raising,
with large residence and out
buildings. Possession given I'M,
mediately. Apply at this office
This place has 16 bearing pecan