Sunday Washington globe., 1902-02-16

Other words the pOicy ought 10 DC eON''~~
Who knows what it is now? So far as we
have observed-and we have been earetnl
to inform ourselyes-but one Republican
has had the frankness TO avOw policy ana
that man was Senator Foraker who said,
as nearly as we can recollect, that when the
Filipiuos laid down theiT arms and sub.
mtted Internationally to the United States
it would then be determined what would be
done with them. That is certainly very IN
definite, but il is something. tShows that
some day something will be done, nobody
knows exactly what
The Repblicaus in the Senate have de-
termined not to debate the question. Under
the pretenCe that the bill now pending is
nothing but revenue bill they sit silent
and some of them almost sullen, except
when goaded into talk, and then they pro-
claim nothing as to what they intend to do.
Even Senator Platt, of Connecticut, an able
man, who was fairly forced TO say some
thing the other day, INDUCED in nothing
but platitudes, Tepetitions and declama-
tions. "Christianize, American dest-
inv" etc. delivered with jerky gestures,
was his play of words, but not one CLEAN of
light on the real subject The Connecticut
Senator, however made no mistake. He
attempted to measure swords with the
senior Senator from Massachusetts,. He
came out of the debate a badly damaged
article and it was in vain he endeavored to
conceal his chagrin.
But to the real question: If the Reoub-
licans have policy they should let it be
known and not hide themselves behind the
plea that the pending bill is merely a rev.
enue measure and not a question of the
internal polity of the Philippine Archipel-
ago. 1t is true it is bill relating to rev.
enue but what is the status of the islands,
Are they for taxing purposes, to be re-
garded as foreign territory, and for a time
treated as Porto Rico was, OF shall they be
treated as the Hawaiian Islands, Arizona
and New Mexicol These are questions
which may be fairly considered even in
revenue bill, and it is Sinking and lodging
responsibility to do otherwise. 1t is true
the bill was rushed through the House
without debate, OF without opportunity to
amend but the House is no longer a de-
Lucrative body. It is controlled altogether
by the committee on rules, and except to
sign the pay rolls Of the sergeant-at-arms,
there is very little need for any member Of
Congress outside ofthe members composing
the majority Of that committee to remain in
Washington therefore the fact that only
the revenues were considered is in no sense
precedent that ought to be followed in
the Senate.
Now, since the memorial has been pub
lished in the memorial from the Philippines
1T has become known that the people
composing the Federal party in some of
the Islands favor statehood, and that is why
they are opposed to war against the United
States. That memorial goes long way to
explain the real attitude Of the Filipinos
They want statehood.
From the laws passed Dy the Commission
il seems to be treason for any political
party to oppose the United States or favor
independence Reading the acts under
which the Commission Is operating it is
shown that political parties are not allowed
Il seems one party is allowed 10 flourish,
viz the Federal party. That party wants
the Islands to become American States.
Are the Republicans in the Senate in favor
Of allowing that2 If they are, let them be
manly and acknowledge it, and, instead Of
sitting in sulleu silence and not defending
their policy let them tell what they intend
to do so that the American people may
know as well as themselves. The policy
heretofore has been simply to vote and by
brute force carry their schemes through
and then 90 to the country and each man
explain for himself.
1t is this. policy that has been pursued by
them for years. They have stifled invest-
cation into the conduct Of the Republicans
in the several departments The Treasury,
under Secretary Gage, in his custom house
deal and other scandals, was called to their
attention. They refused to investigate,
trusting to the forgetfulness Of the average
voter The succeeded in quietiug talk for
a time. But Secretary Gage had to go.
Now, however. they are confronted by
very different state of affairs The status
of the FiliDinos must be defined and the
policy Of the Republicans and administra-
ton must be made known No whistling
down the wind will do, and no sitting
quietly and allowing one side alone to do
the talking will avail
They must say what they are going to do
else inquiries which will be needed will be
made