The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-03-12
PENSACOLA. FLORIDA. TUESDAY MORNING. MARCH H. 1907
Representative Clark's
Philippine Speech.

L
Philippine Speech.
The speech of Representative Frank
Clark, of Florida's second congress
sional district, ON the Philippine ques-
ton was not only one of the most
eloquent heard during the present ses-
sion of congress, but it was one CT the
most unanswerable utterances that
has ever been delivered on that sub
ject.
Some time ago Representative
Clark introduced "a. bill providing for
the sale of the Philippines by the
United States, and he later, in the
same connection, introduced resolu-
ton calling upon the secretary of war
to send to the house of representa-
tives statement of the money ex-
pended by the United States in its
military operations in the islands,
together with statement of the
amount of revenue derived from the
same source during American occu
pancy or since the treaty with Spain
went into effect 1t was on this resc-
/
spoke.
He, showed that, while we are ex-
pending millions to retain our hold on
the Philippines, will be compelled to
spend millions more, and must il
addition build up and MAINTAIN great
naval force for the protection of our
interests there, the American people
have been kept in absolute ignorance
of the actual cost of our occupancy
there. He dwelt most forcefully upon
the Inconsistency of this government
in embarking upon colonial policy
a business of acquiring and govern
| ing territory more than 5000 miles
from our shores and that, too, without
the consent OF the people to be gov
erned." continuing, Representative
Clark said he could conceive of but
three ways to solve the problem, viz:
First To incorporate the Philippine
Islands and the inhabitants thereof as
part Of the United States, giving to those
people every right and privilege enjoyed
under the Constitution by our own people;
Second. To hold the Philippine Islands
and the people who inhabit them as the
property of the United States, under
I'spme sort colonial government, in which
these people shall have no voice; and
Third. To dispose of the Philippine Is
lands and the people who inhabit them,
either to the Filipinos themselves. Japan,
or any other eastern nation that may de-
sire them. for whatever we can get to-
ward reducing the enormous financial loss
49, L., - -
ginal investment, reserving at some desir-
able place a coaling and naval station.
Speaking of recent references in
the house to "our colonial posses
sions," Representative Clark said:
,! This smacks Of empire. 1t breathes of
imperialism. 1t suggests royalty. 1t does
not indicate the simplicity of republican
government, where every citizen is
sovereign. but it produces visions of king
~ rule. Has the experiment of govern
ment Of the people, by the people and for
the people" proven to be faiIure7 Was
George III right and our forefathers
wrong in 17I6? Have We been mistaken
for more than a century in our conten-
ton than the people should rule?
Is the republican party willing to go to
the country with the declaration that it
colonial form of government in the
Philippine Islands? EAnot, then when do
you purpose to ,make-a change? What do
you propose to substitution the present
form of rule in the islands, You can not
maintain the-present status and preserve
the Republic. because colonial possess
ions have no place in a republican form
OF government If, however, we propose
to discard for the future our republican
government and ciothe ourselves in the
habiliments of the empire. have we count
ed the cost Of maintaining these distant
Island possessions? In time of profound
peace this precious property has cost us
millions upon millions of money, and the
end is not yet If, unfortunately, we
should plunge into war with some strong
eastern power, "our colonial possessions
would fall an easy prey to the enemy be-
fore we could get our forces well started
across the seas. and then it would probab-
" bankrupt US to retake thea, as retake
them we would, no matter what the cost
in both blood and treasure. Is it good
policy for US TO continue in the colonial
possession business at so frightful cost
as confronts us2 We say we want peace
with al nations. yet our ownership Of the
Philippine Islands IS constant invitation
for war to every eastern power We have
planted ourselves 5000 miles from home
with q chip on our shoulders" daily
challenging all the nations of the east to
knock il OF" Can we afford to con- |
tinue this performance? Shall we by its 1
continuance abandon the form of gov
eminent established by the fathers of /
the Republic. and which. by careful nur-
ture has made for US the grandeSt- and /