The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-10-16

] II have before said that we may not
/ disregard the responsibility imposed By
! the possession of the Philippines. ana
+ that that responsibility viii be best sub.
+ served by preparing the islanders IS
I rapidly as possible FOR self-g0vernment
! and giving them the assurances that &c
vii come as soon as they are reason
/ ably prepared FOR it,
This means independence for the
Eilpinos in the fullest sense Of the
word When prepared they may govern
themselves, as the Cubans do; unas-
: sisted. unless asking help; undirected.
unless asking advice: untrammeIed by
/ our politics. unlncumbered by our poll
I ticians ana uncontrolled by US.
Hoped For Freedom.
when the battleships OF our great
/ republic destroyed the Spanish war yes
/ sells, the Filipinos hoped the freedom
| Tor which they had struggled so long
/ was finally approaching. Oar history
/ seemed 10 guarantee that our ambition
would be 10 see them free. happy and
/ prosperous.
After our utter defeat OF the Span
+ lard. the Republican Administration Maid
I 10 the vain OppressOr OF the uuc1nuuer-
/ cd Filipino $1,000 600 for his uncertain
option OF his victims lands, tenements
and hereditameuts.
''ln the attempt 20 bolster the option.
/ we have wasted over 1856. .G08. 900 more
/ or the peoples money, sacrificed over
zJ0.tD lives, and the waste of money
and the sacrifice or lives are not vet
ended IL the policy of the Administra-
tion Is 20 be continued indefinitely.
Door OF Hope Closed.
THAT policy refuses 10 promise in
dependence for the islanders now. or
AT amy time, or upon any con itIou. IL
does not even leave open the door of
hope
The Administr. ion rails AT the Dem
ocrauc proposal To promise them indie
Deudeuce as soon as they are DreY red
for IT, Indeed IL suggests TO S0.OJJOJJ of
Intelligent people that such a promise
would stimulate the vicious 20 be more
vicious. Instead OF encouraging the inn
provemeut, which would secure them
what they most desire on earth. free
dom.
eff our people agree that the Admins
iratiou is wrong iu threatening, by its
silence, that which IL undoubtedly in
/ lrHls-nameiy- Perpetual bondage for
I tAe FlhpiHos, the remedy is ia their
AaHcs. We could have donated TO Spain
a number Of millions and annexed Cuba
with equal justice and less suspicion OF
il-1eellty than We displayed in ac-
qlIFiHs the PHILIPPINES
Taft's Declarations.
Secretary Taft has said. A promise
{ 10 gave ultimate independence will be
construed DF the more violent element
I ui5poaed 10 agitation. 10 be a promise
[ 10 grant Independence ia the near fu-
tuTe ana during the present generation.
The success Of the experiment We are
making lH the Philippines depends on
having the tHIpiu0s understand thar
we are there FOR their benefit. but that
"e expect 10 stay here indefinitely fn
them
Here we have the Issue clear. ...-
fined, The Republican party stands for
the sublugotiou OF defenseless foreign
people. Democracy stands FOR freedom
W Lrlleh -a SPAN Of this thorn in
lnto our own we paid. and are paying.
enormously for yne privilege Of per.
forming the operation.
Evidence Is Opposed.
'.Tae American ezpauslonlst. follow
ing European argument alleges that
annexation Of the Philippines must pro-
mote progress. foster commerce ana in-
du=try. and introduce the Ieaven Of
civilization Into a backward and Inferior
race.
"The evidence OF history IS 90 the con-
Iarg.
Every true American would despIse a
man who would not fight TO the last gap
for the land OF his hreside and birth
place Of his babes
we perpetually point with pride TO
our love of liberty The Republican
Continued on Second Page.)