The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-03
Unique Distinction At
taching to Mr.. w. N.
SWarthOut.
IS NOW IN WASHINGTON
Believes Assimilation Viii
Win Out-Sedition Trials
Over, He Thinks.

To urge free trade between the Philip
pines ard the United States. and to Gis-
seminate Information about the true con-
ditions In the Philippines. William y.
Swarthogt. editor Of the Manila ThAes
and representative OF the American
Chamber OF Commerce of Manila, has
come to Washington to confer with lead
ing officials Of the War Department a-l1
with political friends.
Mr.. Swarthout has been in the archI-
pelago six years. having gone there With
the first army expedition, and is in )r-
Oughly conversant with conditions in the
islands and what ought TO be done 10
stimulate trade relations between the
Philippines and the United States. He
is president OF the Merchants Publish
ing Company, the Far Eastern Press AS
ISOLATION, and the Manila Press Club as
well.
A Careful Editor.
The experiences Of newspaper men IN
the Philippines have not always been Of
an especially pleasant nature IN their
relations with the civil and military
government heads. Many OF them have
been hailed into court on charges OF lioSi
and sedition. and some have been sen.
fenced 10 Imprisonment Mr.. Swarthoul
is the only American editor Ia Manila
who has not at one time or another
fallen under the official displeasUre VI
some high officer OF the lnsu4ar govern
ment.
The Manila Times has not alwayI
favored the measures proposed, SAID
Mr. Swarthout today. but We have al
WAYS attacked policies not individuals
The prosecutions against Otner news
papers were really forced upon tho
government BY leading FniplnOs, WhC
could not appreciate the freedom which
the American press enjoys at home.
Future of Philippines.
..rhe Supreme Courts decision this
week that Editors O 'Brien and Door. Of
the Manila Freedom were not entitle
70 a jury trial. attracts attention to IA
fact that in the government OF our for
eign colonies there are condiuCHs 70 bc
met with which did not exist at the
time of the framing Of the Constitution
Justice Harlan's remarks with his
dissenting vote. were OF great interest
to us There IS no doubt in the minds
OF the Amt rican and foreign residents OF
the Philip ne Islands that the present
policy of benevolent assimilation VIII
eventually work a change In the hearts
OF Filipino people until they VIII wei
come admission TO the territory OF tht
|
zeuship which goes with IL. II seems
10 me this will be the ultimate solution
Of the Philippine question.
Effect of Prosecutions.
1T is certain there viii never be an
other sedition charge brought against
the editor of an American paper In the
Philippines. In the first place. the dras-
tic measures used in the different cases
which have already occurred taught the
American newspaper men that a spirit
Of conservatism Will be best for all con
cerned: second. all trials OF this kind
are against American principles and no
government OF party Is in condition
TO stand the ridicule and abuse which
has been heaped upon them for this an
American act.
The ajOrity Of the newspaper men
in the islands have seen service there
in the volunteer army Of the United
States. and have the interests Of theiI
country as much at heart as have the
different members OF the civil commits
sion They have merely exercised the
American right Of expressing their own
opinions. which is not regarded as any
crime here. ] doubt whether the sen
tences Will ever be enforced against
them. and am certain that II they should
be enforced, executive clemenCy Will be
Immediately extended.