The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-09
They VIII Serve to Protect Our In
terests i'm China without Exercise
of Much Physical Power.
HE BELIEVES IN EXPANSION
AND THAT DESTINY HAS MARKED
THE PATH FOR AMERICANS.
Their Duty to Mankind, He Asserts,
Is 10 Teach FilipinOs Our
Ideas of Government.

WASHINGTON. April S.-General Mac
Arthur to-day continued his testimony con-
corning the conditions in the Philippine
archipelago before the Senate committee
on the Philippines. His discussion at the
beginning of the session was devoted to a
review of the conditions which led up 10
the present state Of mind of the Filipino
people. He said that long before the ad-
vent of the Americans the germs of de-
mocracy had been planted and that these
had originated in the agitations in Spain
Of a century ago which had been reflected
in the Spanish colonies. He also described
the conditions in the archipelago at the
time of the American occupation, saying
at that time the Filipnos were in vim
dictive and resentful mood toward Spain.
with a general yearning for liberty. TAX
ing these psychological conditions into ac-
count, and also giving due heed to the char
acter of the people he had felt. when he
assumed command of the islands. that
there was to be some of the most fertile
soil for planting the best type of republic
Institutions.
General Macarthur took up and discussed
saying they are the finest group of islands
in the world. occupying a strategic posi-
ton absolutely unexcelled. Continuing. he
said that the archipelago must necessarily
exert an active and potential influence on
the affairs of the entire East in both a
military and political way The China sea,
only $50 miles away, he considered a safety
mOat. These islands would, therefore, stand
to protect our interests in the Orient with
out the exerton of much physical power on
our part. Hence he concluded that our
presence in the Philippines would always
insure all the protection we need in the
East and no one can now say how great
those needs may be. Their position is such,
he said, that from these islands we may
observe whatever passes along the coast
of Asia, as 1t must pass under the shadow
of our flag. He therefore concluded that
1.-The possession, the permanent possession
of the Philippines archipelago is not only
of supreme Importance, but absolutely es-
sential 10 American interests" He be-
lieved, he added that when the Filipinos
come to realize the mission of the Ameri-
can people among Them and that they
were chosen people for the dissemination
of American ideas. they would rally TO
this inspiring thought and cheerfully fol-
low and support the American flag.
Continuing. General Macarthur grew elo-
quent in describing the mission of the
Americans. Our presence in the islands, he
said, was, to his mind, q process of spOn-
taneous evolution, and added that he be-
heved a permanent occupation was a nee
eSsary consequence, the logical sequence
OF our national prosperity, and, he added
that to doubt this is to doubt the wisdom
of our institutions. We should, he went on,
regard ourselves as people the GUS
todians of an imperishable idea, held in
trust for mankind, and We would proclaim
this message to the world. He also ex-
pressed the opinion that the Filipinos could
be rapidly organized into political bodies
and said they were eager to secure educa-
tional facilities. He said that because of his
opinion that the Philippines afford splendid
American ideas He had decided when he
assumed command at Manila to conduct
military operations with drastic hand
while he at the same time tried to give
them the most enlightened civil govern
ment wherever opportunity afforded.
Concerning the conduct of the war in the
Philippines he said that while it was war
he doubted whether if any of modern
times had been conducted with as much
humanity and self-restraint as this war
In this connection Senator Lodge asked
number OF questions bearing upon the re-
ports of cruelties practiced by American
soldiers, to which the witness replied that,
while there doubtless had been instances of
excuses, the general conduct on the part
of our troops had been of an opposite
character, as the general orders had been.
Moreover, all violations of the rules of
war had been instantly punished.
Replying TO questions by Senator Car
mack. he said that the Filipinos like our
American ideas of personal liberty, as en-
bodied in our institutions. This he said,
realizes an ideal of their own
Then they have an ideal?" interjected
Senator Carmack.
The reply was: ''They have. most de-
cidedly."
You do not, then, regard them as "a
miserable, corrupt, cruel and degraded
race?
"By no means. Such view is. to my
mind a mistaken view"
Senator Carmack also asked about the
exploitation of the material resources of
the islands and General Macarthur re-
piled that one of the great apprehensons
of the people was that they might be de-
prived Of these resources. and thus rele-
gated to a position of social inferiority in
the islands. On this point. he said. they
were very sensitive. They did not. he said,
care so much for their treatment outside
the islands, but were very particular on
the point Of social equality when in their
own country.
In reply to a question from Senator Gull
berson General Macarthur declined to in
stitute a comparison between the Filipinos
and the American negro. THE Filipnos
are pretty good people," he said. but I
have never had occasion to compare them
with other people, and don't want to at
tempt such a comparison, which might be
''Do you not think" Senator Carmack
asked. that the FilipinOs ought to have
a voice in their governmental affairs
where they have to do with franchises and
concessions?"
THAT question is somewhat hypotheti-
cal" replied General Macarthur. I'VE are
approximating that condition now 1 would
however. like to see the Fihpnos pretty
we'll represented in their central govern
ment and | should like to see the question
Of franchises. except for railroads, held in
allegiance until the evolution proceeds
further"
The committee adjourned until Thursday
-
PROGRESS IN THE PHILIPPINES.