The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-01
THE DEMOCRATIC PHILIPPINE
DnUVGX

the people shall have adopted a constitu-
ton and established a government of their
OWN which constitution shall cede TO the
United States lands for naval, military and
coaling stations and shall assume the OBJ
legations Of this government for the pro-
lection of all rights and property. When
this is done the President shall issue a
proclamation recognizing the independence
of the Filipino people and government. The
sovereignty OF the United States having
been so relinquished and the independence
of the Filipino government having been
recognized, it is next proposed that the
President shall negotiate an agreement
between the United States, the Philippine
archipelago and Great Britain, Germany,
France and such other powers as he may
deem best, providing for the perpetual neu-
trality and inviolability from all foreign in
reference with the territory of the archi-
pelago and also for equal opportunities of
trade between the archipelago and foreign
countries
The foregoing plan is an attempt 10 APP
propriate the main features of the Repub-
q BOiiNg III Odb0 WI INV Nv hAAC
States has never claimed sovereignty, and
apply them to the Philippines. where our
sovereignty is undisputed. 1t assumes that
we are under some sort of obligation to do
in a possession that is indisputably our
own what we have promised and are hon
orably bound to do i'm a foreign country.
1t assumes further that the present policy
-r a. I--..1a Co., l.. a. DLg14--F-1- l.
not just or wise and is not likely to pro-
mote the welfare and secure the peace and
happiness of the people. Still further. it
assumes that the Filipinos are not only en-
titled TO their independence, the same as
the Cubans, but that they are fit for self
government and would be better off under
a government of their own than they would
be under that of the United States.
1t needs no argument to prove that the
United States is under no obligation to
r%elinquish its sovereignty in the Philippines.
Because a small minority of the people re-
belled against American authority and kept
up a constantly waning insurrectiOn for
two or three years is no reason why the
United States should surrender it's rights,
abandon its duty and make public confess
sion of its political impotence. To do so
would be the first instance in the history
OF the world OF a civilized nation volun-
tarily giving up territory acquired by war
and leaving a haIf-civilized people in a
condition of semi-anarchy. Such a course
could only be justified on one of three
grounds. namely, that we had pledged our
selves not to exercise jurisdiction over the
islands longer than was necessary TO pacify
them, or that we were incapable Of giving
the people stable and orderly government.
or that they were plainly fitted for as well
as entitled 10 independence. Neither OF
these conditions exists. From the day of
the signing of the treaty with Spain the
United States has not wavered a moment
in asserting its sovereignty in the islands.
A proclamation TO the Filipinos, issued
April 4. 1899, by the first commission APP
pointed by President Mckinley, Informed
them that by the signing of the treaty "the
cession to the United States of the sover-
eighty which Spain possessed and exercised
over the Philippine islands has now, in ac-
cordance with the laws of nations, received
a complete and indefensible consumma-
ton. The proclamation. after outlining
the policy and aims Of the President, said:
The commission emphatically asserts that
the United States is not only willing. but
anxious, to establish in the Philippine
islands an enlightened system of govern
ment under which the Philippine people
may enjoy the largest measure OF home
rule and the amplest liberty consonant with
the supreme ends of government and COM
patible with those obligations which the
United States has assumed toward the civ
iliZed nations OF the world. The United
States striving earnestly for the welfare
and advancement of the inhabitants Of the
Philippine islands, there can be no real
conflict between American sovereignty and
he rights and liberties of the Philippine
people. For. just as the United States
stands ready 10 furnish armies. navies and
all the infinite resources OF a great and
powerful nation TO maintain and support
it's rightful supremacy over the Philippine
islands, so il is even more solicitous to
spread peace and happiness among the
Philippine people; To guarantee them a
rightful freedom: to protect them i'm their
lust privileges and immunities; to accustOm
them to free self-government in an ever
increasing measure. and to encourage them
in those democratic aspirations. sentiments
and ideals which are the promise and po-
tency OF a fruitful national development.
From that time 20 the present there has
been no departure from this benehcent poll
icy. and surprising progress has been made
toward reaching the results aimed at. Why
should a sovereignty based on such princi-
pies be c~ravenly surrendered?
The Filipinos are not fit for self-govern-
ment, and many of the best men among
them do not think they are. The first re-
port of President McKinley's first commits
sion said that hundreds of persons. many
OF them in sympathy with the insurgents,
had testified that they were not qualified
for independence or self-government.
Again. the commission said: THE masses
OF the Filipino peoples. including practi-
cally all who are educated or who possess
property. have no desire for an independ-
ent and sovereign Philippine state" The
report said further: The United States
cannot Withdraw from the Philippines. We
are there. and duty bids us remain. There
Is no escape from our responsibility To the
F%ilipinos and TO mankind for the govern
ment Of the islands and the amelioration
OF the condition OF their inhabitants. The
FIlipinos are wholly unprepared for indie
pendence. and II independence were given
them they could not maintain it," Admiral
! Dewey was one OF the signers Of this re-