The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-08-23

age Of organized insurrection was stamp
ed out l do not refer TO the Moros, with
whom we have exercised the utmost for
bearance, but who may force US TO chas-
tise them if they persist in attacking our
troops Among the Filipinos proper. how
ever, peace has come. Doubtless here and
there sporadic outbreaks of brigandage
will occur from time to time, but orga-
nized warfare against the American flag
has ceased, and there is no reason to APP
prehend its recurrence.
"Our army in the islands has been re-
duced until it is not a fourth of what it
was at the time the outbreak was at its
height. Step by step, as the army con-
quered, the rule of the military was sup
planted by the Fu1e of the civil authori-
ties, the soldier was succeeded by the
civilian magistrate. The utmost care has
been exercised in choosing the best type
of Americans for the high civil positions
and the actual work of administration
has been done so far as possible by native
Filipino officials serving under these
Americans. The success of the effort has
been wonderful. Never has this country
had more upright or an ADLER body Of
public representatives than Governor
Taft. Vice Governor Wright. and their
associates and subordinates in the Phil
ippine Islands. 1t is a very difficult mat
ter practically to apply the principles
of an orderly free government to an ORR
entail people struggling upward out of
barbarism and subsection. 1t is a task
requiring frmness. patience, tact, broad
mindedness. All these qualities and the
countless others necessary have been
found in the civil and military officers
who have been sent over TO administer the
islands. 1t was, of course, inevitable that
there should be occasional failures; but
it is astonishing how few these have
been. Here and there the civil govern
ment which had been established in a
given district had to be temporarily
withdrawn, because of some outbreak, but
at last, on the July 4th that has just
rassed-on the 18th anniversary Of our
independence-it was possible at the same
time TO declare amnesty throughout the
islands and definitely to establish civil
rule over all of them excepting the coun-
try of the Mohammedan Moros, where the
conditions were wholly different. Each in
habitant of the Philippines is now
guaranteed his civil and religious rights.
his rights to life, personal liberty and
the pursuit of happiness. subject only 10
not infringing on the rights OF others. 1t
is worth noting that already the Philip
pine people have received a greater share
OF self government, that they have more
10 say as to now they shall be governed.
Orient which is under European rule.
Nor is this all. Congress has, with far
seeing wisdom. heartily supported all that
has been done by the executive. Wise
laws for the government OF the Philip
pine Islands have been placed upon the
statute books. and under those laws pro-
vision is made for the introduction into
the Philippines OF representative govern
ment with only the delay absolutely nee
essary TO allow for the establishment OF
peace for the taking of a census and the
settling down Of the country. in short,
we are governing the Fiiipinos prima-
rily in their interest and for their very
great benefit, and we have acted in prac-
teal fashion-not trying 20 lay down rules
a. to what should be done in the remote
and uncertain future. but turning our at
tention 20 the instant need Of things and
meeting that need in the fullest and am
plest way
1T would be hard 70 say whsther we
owe most 10 our military or our civil rep
resentatives in the Philippines The SOL
diers have shown splendid gsllantry in
the field. and they have done no less ad-
nirable work in preparing The provinces
fr-sf ffrsrf.
ties have shown the utmost wisdom in
doing a very difficult and very important
work Of vast extent II would be hard -
find IN modern times a better example q
successful constructive Statesman ship-
Finally. the Philippines. as in Cuba. The
Instances Of wronE-doing smong either
cur civil or military representative have
been astonishingly few and punishment
has been meted with even-handed justice
TO all offenders.
Nor should Il be forgotten that while
we have thus acted in the interest q the
islanders themselves. we have also help
ed our own people Oar interests are IS
great IN the Pacific as in the Atian-sc
The welfare q California. Oregon and
Washington IS as vital % the nation IS
the welfare OF View England. New York
and the South Atlantic states
The awakening q the orient means
very much u az the nations - chris
terdorn. commercially I'd iess than polit-
icaily. and i would Re shory-sig tlted
statesrrznship CT or part % refuse 20
take the necessary steps for securing
3 proper share 70 Cur 7eopie q 1his corr
r-ercisl future The possession o The
Philippines has helped us ss TIE securing
II The opez-6oor Il China has fslpsd us-
Already the government has taken The
necessary sters - provide Tor ths laying
of . Pacific cshls undsr colssderations
which safeguard absolutely ne Interests
a. ire American r1hisc- our cursmercs
zs;h The easz Is rrovi1g rsps3ir. Events
have ahundantIy tusziae1. alike fra TX
moral and material staa6poist AL ;hss
We have done n the fs- east "a sec9el
~ CIR wz< with Spain"