Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-09
PHILlpplrr lcBIrvrMrYT.

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Undoubtedly the so-called antLimpe-
rialists will find something TO criticisc
in the presidents statement Of what has
been achieved In the Philippines. Por-
tons Of it they must admit. It cannot
be successfully denied that the Filipinos
are enjoying a greater degree Of free
don than ever before in their history,
that there have been vastly increasedif IA
%cilities for education and that progress
has been made in the conditions neces-
sary to o better civilization. 1t is u n
deniably the fact that the natives are
being protected In their religious and
civil rights, that the administration of
justice is impartial and that the gov
eminent of the islands is being con-
Quoted purely in the interests of the
people.
These are unquestionable facts, yet the
anti-imperialists will point to the
sporadic disturbances created by a few
ladrones as showing that our rule has
not given contentment to all the natives
and will further harp upon the severity
alleged to have been practieed as a re-
proach to this government which no
results can atone for. It will again be
declared that the freedom we have
given the Filipinos is not that measure
Of liberty which they had a right to
expect and that nothing short Of leaving
them to govern themselves, regardless
of their preparation for such q condi-
ton Is to be tolerated. 1t AN be very
confidently asserted that an oVerwhelm-
ing majority of the American people
are well satisfied with the administra-
ton Of affairs in the Philippines. All
fair-minded men will concede that the
civil government Of the islands has been
all that President Roosevelt claims for
1t. He did not say more than is de-
served Of the men who constitute the
commission and particularly of its
head, Governor Taft. They are able,
upright, conscientious men, who. are
performing the immensely important
task given them with a profound desire
to promote the welfare Of the Filipino
FNNFNI ~ 10 a a III NllCu HONPT0OT
Taft especially has shown the deepest
Interest and the best answer to those
who would depreciate his services is
to be found in the esteem for him
shown by the Filiplnos.
Our government is doing a work In
the Philippines that is most distinctly
In the interest Of civilization. The
islands have had since our occupation
an unfortunate experience financially
n commercially. Congress erred in
not making earlier provision for rem
edying the currency situation and per-
haps also In not making a larger reduc-
ton In tariff duties on the products of
the archipelago imported into this coun-
Try But there VIZ soon be a change
Tor the better ant It'll progress In the
industrial and commercial development
Of b islands will come greater popular
contentment and a general desire for
the preservation of peace and order.
will be seen to better advantage
the beneficient effects Of American pol
icy.
Whether or not we shall ever be re-
paid what possession of the Philippines
mas cost is a question that time only
can determine. There is no accurate
information in regard to the resources
OF the islands and no certain opinion can
be formed as to the value to this coun-
try Of their development. We have ex-
pended in acquiring them and estab-
fishing u control there several hun
dred millions of dollars. It is safe to
say, at any rate, that this will not be
repaid within a generation.