The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-20

ITOIn peTSOlldl OIL lue
1O Philippine situation an en-
thusiastic supporter of the
administrations policy in those islands.
This was shown by his recent testimony
before the senate Philippine committee,
and it is again evidenced by "a powerful
article which he has just contributed
to Leslies Weekly. The following ex-
tract from that article is unanswerable: {:
Senator Hoar no doubt correctly
states the position of Il large party
when he procaims the absolute doc
trine that in all the practical affairs Of
the world we must recognize the rule
that Just government can only be
founded upon the consent of the gov
erned.' But if this doctrine is to be ac-
cepted absolutely, what are we to say
about our treatment of even the best
of the American Indians? Do we ever
consult them? Have we ever consid-
cred their rights to independence? And
yet vast portions of the Philippines are
inhabited by tribes and races inferior
to the Indians who used to roam over
our Western prairies or contend for
their fisheries and hunting grounds in
New England. A rule that cannot be
applied successfully in the United
States ought not to be urgently pressed
upon our government as the only just
rule to be adopted in the case of the
diverse peoples inhabiting the Philip
pines.
"The whole Filipino question is diff
cult enough at best, and ought not to
be complicated by theories which have
little or no application to the actual
conditions which prevail in the islands.
Those islands came to us without our
seeking. and cannot be abandoned
without our incurrng a responsibility
for which coming ages will hold us re-
sponsible. 1t might be possible for the
American government to set up d small
Tagalog state on the island of LuzOn,
or possibly the island of Negros might
be made into little Negrito Cuba. But
kind of procedure, and not much assur-
ance Of permanent success. The mani
fest ideal which should be kept in view
is that of civilized and Christanized
republic. embracing the whole group of
islands and using English us the official
semblies. English will dsplace Span
ish in a very few years, and it's use will
become common in all cities and large
towns. In India, natives edit and pub
lish daily newspapers I'M English, and
the people of the Philippines are. quite
as eager to acquire correct use of this
universal tongue as the people of India.
S"But the absolute condition of pro-
gress in the islands Is peace, and this
can only be secured and maintained by
the strong arm of some European or
American government. 1t has strange
people to assume this responsibility.
No one should become discouraged,
either on account of the difficulties
which confront our representatives in
the Philippines or the magnitude of the
task which we have undertaken as a
nation. We shall not fail. The unfor-
tunate people of those beautiful islands
have seen their darkest days. The
American people. including our rulers
seek only their good, and in due time
all Will understand this, as many do
now. AS the years go by many of them
will visit our shores, and very many
of the youth of both sexes will frequent
our schools. In town and country, the
people of various races will become
more cultured, and in the fullness of
time-it may be sooner or 1t may be
later--fifty millions of happy people
will be found inhabiting those far-off
islands, all Of whom will bless the day