Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-09
A Philippine Protectorate.

u a. StbliSldClOTS SUluliOti VI tue iIfUDieIu.
A Philippine Protectorate.
In quoting the Philippine plank of the
platform adopted by the Indiana democrats,
the Philadelphia Ledger says that the
Republicans should be wary about join
ing issue with the democrats on this deCla-
ration of policy. for it is likely to become
the nations policy in a very short time"
The plank is as follows:
The Filipinos cannot be citizens with
out endangering our civilizat lion; they can
not be subjects without imperiltng our form
OF government, and. as We are not willing
to surrender our civilization to convert the
republic into an empire. we favor an mIne-
diate declaration of the nations purpose to
assist tn. FiiipinOS to establish for them
selves an independent government, protect
ing them from outside interference and
curing to this country such comm ercial and
naval rights and advantages wonld he
just and fully and fairly protect American
interests.
If We are to retire from the Philippines
and permit the people of the islands to
establish a government of their own, why
should we guarantee it against outside IN
reference? Why take upon ourselves 50
dangerous and difficult task? When it is
admitted that as citizens Of this country
they would endanger our civilization it Is
admitted likewise that the government they
would set up would bear no resemblance to
our government. They might call it re
public. and we might so proclaim 1t to the
world in a famboyant notice to outside
powers 10 keep hands off. but a republic,
as We understand and illustrate that form
of government. and as the world at large
accepts our illustration. it would not be.
Precisely what 1t would be no man can
tell. Many competent men who have spent
some time in the archipelago and have stud
led the characteristics OF the people declare
that anarchy would result. They do not
consider the Fiiipinos capable at this time
of organizing a stable government of any
kind. Their sufserings under Spanish rule
were very great. Their ambitions, now that
Spain has been expelled by the United
States. are boundless. But as Asiatics they
have the infiEmitie5 and incapacities of their
breed and environment. aad may not be ex-
pectsd 20 show the qualities Of men born
and bred in Europe or America.
Why then should We stand by with men
and ships and keep the ring while such peo-
pie were experimenting with government:
We should not be upholiing a republic. We
should not be advancing the cause of ciyil-
zation, because III declaring that as cit-
zens Of the United States the Filipinos
would endanger civilization we rule them
out as they now are from consideration as
factors III promoting civilization.
If we are TO leave the Philippines, there
fore. let not stand upon the order of
leaving but leave at once. and leave for
good. It is the only prudent and sensible
course II the American flag is To come down
No proposition, indeed, is SO fraught with
peril 10 the peace OF the United States as
that Of the men Who would commit us to
the role Of big brother to a scrappy young
ster living on the other side of the world
-
The customs house officials declare that if
people would be absolutely honest there
would be TO ROOM for complaint about the
manner in which their luggage Is handled.
If SUCH condition of universal righteous
nes.' could be attained there would be no
need of customs house officials
The Shah of Persia has bestowed deco
ration Of the highest Persian order on En-
pcror William. The monarch who would
undertake To wear ali his badges at once
must be sonnet hing Of an athlete.