The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-22
BRYAN ADVOCATES Pill IPPlNE INDEPENDENCE;
A DISCUSSION OF CONDITIONS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE


BY HON. WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN.
Copyright in Great Britain
All Rights Reserved.)
q ACCOMPLISHING, in previous t;os
articles discussed the conditions
~ a. I found them in the Philip,
mines. let us consider what the Umted
States should do in regard to the Fiji
pinos and their islands. -
islands-the islands north Of Mindanao.
Have the Filipinos right to self-gov-
ernment9 Do they desire sef-govern-
ment and independence Have they
The capacity for self-governmentY
The first question must be answered
IN the affirmative, if our theory OF
government is correct. That govern
ments derive their just powers from
The consent of the governed, is either
frne or false: if true, we cannot deny
/ its application to the Filipinos; II false,
we must find some other foundation
for our own government. ..
+ !. +
The second question I am able TO
answer yes. Ny visit to the Phil
inpines has settled this question in my
mind. l have heard people in America
affirm that the intelligent Flllplnons
preferred American soFeAo'Snoy W 1c Ii
government, but this is unqualltiedly
false. Captain J. A, Moss, a member
:! of General Corbin IS personal staff, re-
Gently made a trip thru the provinces
of Pampanga, Neuva Ecija and Panga-
sinan and published a journal of his
trip in one of the Manila papers upon
his return. He concluded his observa-
tons as follows: 1.-THE discharged SOL
diers who are married to native women
and who are growing up with the
country and are, therefore, in most
! excellent position to feel the native
pulse, all told me the great majority OF
1.-The natives have no use for us. Elk
Interpreters and other Filipinos with
whom I was on intimate cordial rela-
stions while serving in the provinces,
ftold me the same thing: I have, there
conclusion that the Fiipinos may be
divided into three classes. (a) The
= precious few comprising those who
are really friendly towards the Amer
Eicans and think our government bene-
fetal to the islands; (b( those who are
in some way benefciaries Of the gov
eminent and entertain for us what may
the great majority have absolutely no
use for us and to please whom we can
tnot get out Of the islands any too
2 soon.o
+. +. +
The conclusion drawn by Captain
Moss is warranted by the facts and the
feeling for independence is stronger in
Manila, if possible, than in the prov.
fetal and unofficial and while they
differed in the degree Of friendliness
: which they felt toward the United
State, all expected ultimate independ
ence. The college students of Manila
IN the various law schools, medical col
legest and engineering schools, mum
berinig in all about 1000, prepared and
than fifty printed pages. This was pre-
pared by subcommittee, and after
wards discussed. adopted and signed
e by the students. It presented
an elaborate review of the economic
industrial and political situation
viewed from the standpoint of these
young men. It criticized certain acts
Of the American government thought
to be unjust and set forth arguments il
favor of self government and independ
ence-arguments 50 fundamental anc
SO consistent with American ideal,
that no American statesman would
have publicly disputed them ten year
ago.
The Filipinos point out that tn
Americans lack that: sympathy for, an,
interest in the Filipino necessary to jus
legislation. and this argument is no re
Election upon the good intentions O
Americans. In fact, good intention i
generally admitted, but Americans a
home recognize, as do Filipinos here
that good Intentions are not all that i
required. We have in the Unite
States men of equal general intelli
gence, but differing SO in sympathy tina
no amount Of good intent can keep on
from doing what the other regards a
unjust. Take for instance, the repre-