The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-02-21
IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Dstermined Hostility Ia American
Rule Calls for = Change In
Our Policy.

drift of Gov. Taft's testimony before
the senate committee, which Is that
there Is a state OF persistent hostility
in the Philippines, that 1t will be a long
time in passing. and that thus far II
has caused US great expense, great
sacrifice OF life, and, as the governor
admitted, has led to some cases OF re-
taliation that are reproach TO US.
We have no doubt that what Gov. Taft
calls "these infractions of propriety"
have been committed in defiance OF d.
rect orders. There would be no such
things happening between two civilized
peoples, but with an inferior oriental
race engaged in guerilla warfare
against conquerors. the temptation 10
treat captives harshly is very strong.
The governor is plainly out OF pa
thence with some phases OF the situa-
ton. for he thinks it is a crime
against the Filipino that state of war
should continue. and says they have
worn out the right TO any treatment
but that which is severe, within the
laws of war; This will hardly do. We
have entered the Philippines IS con-
querors. There has been no growth
Of our civilization there from colonists
establishing trade and having normal
relations. We have come bodily from
the outside. imposed ourselves on the
situation. and that we should be met
hy guerilla warfare is the most nat
ural thing in the world. 1t is thing
T., III v+n ~
people. If we are determined TO con-
quer the Philippines. we must have
patience and keep at tn work. The
testimony of others accords with the
drift OF Gov Taft's statement that ii
Is a large work. Stephen Bonsal, a
vcll-known writer for the press. ex-
presses in the New York Herald. after
spending some months in the Philip
pines. the opinion that civil govern
ment in the Philippines is failure, and
that its seeming triumphs are those OF
misguided optimism. 1t might not be
too long stretch of vision TO see come
thing ike this between the lines of
Gov. Taft's statement.
While Gov. Taft's work has been
wise. patient and sincere. Mr.. Bonsal
holds that the Filipinos are solidly
against American supremacy in any
shape or form. and. to use his own
words, "if we do not wish TO govern
them rigidly and by force for 10. 20 OF
80 years. we had better hit upon .
scheme of scuttle. saving appearance
as much rs possible" He reinforced
| his view by reference to numerous in
stances where friendly Filipinos ant
those who hold high offices have beer
found guilty of smuggling arms ant
ammunition for the insurgents. III
calls attention also TO the fact that thu
cons.abu.ary is composed in larg'
measure of the insurgents who hav'
come in not because they are convinced
that our government is good. but be
cause they have learned that ii is bet
ter to carry an American rifle with
salary than 10 stand up against al
American firing line. But they ar
brothers in blood and sentiment will
the insurgents in the field, and the.
will show il whenever they get oppor
tunity.
II may be added. says the Indanap
oils News. that private information
that Is. information from men wh'
have been in the Philippines quite a
long as Gov. Taft. harmonizes with Mr.
Bonsal's. These men report that tn
Filipinos are determined in their hos
tility to American rue. that they hav
in their hearts no feeling Of submis
sion. and that If we hold the island
we have got TO ho.d them by force
and a generation at least must pas
away before we can have the semblanc
Of civil government. or course. "
ought to be able TO discuss this sub
ject without passion. II we are hon
est we want 10 find out the actual con
dition in the Philippines that we ma
know what is best 10 do. To this en-
we must allow freedom of spe, oh an
must gather testimony wherever W
can. We are big enough and stron
enough to be able to change our polio
without any imputaiions of cowardic
or Inconsistency. We do not have o q
thing 10 keep up appearances. W
are too great and strong for that. an
we ought 70 be too great and stron
TO do anything but justice.