The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-06-29

William Jennings Bryan declares
for a policy in the Philippines like
that which the United States has pur-
sued in Cuba. Senator Beverage, of
Indiana, declares the motto of Ameri-
can blood is what we have, we hold"
This is the substance of the position
taken by each in discussing imperial
ism" in the July number of The
Reader magazine, through which they
are conducting a Joint debate on the
political issues likely to figure in the
next national campaign. AS Senator
Beveridge found great benefits in the
development of the trusts, despite
their great evils, he finds that the eX-
tension of American rule beyond the
-cds has benefited alien peoples and
American commerce alike. Mr.. Bryan
clings to his idea of early self-govern-
ment for the FilipinOs. He plants
himself squarely on the ground that
they must be given the responsible
ties of self-gOvernment in order to
develop the capabilities for it.
Pointing out that the policy of this
government with regard to its Deepen
denotes is only half kept promise,
Mr.. Bryan recalls the congressional
declaration at the outbreak OF the
war with Spain that the United
territory and no purpose but to assist
Cuban freedom and independence. Al
though it applied to the Philippines
in spirit, Mr. Bryan points out that
this pledge has been kept only with
regard to Cuba. The possession OF
the Philippines is a weakness TO us
and an aggravation TO them, says
Mr.. Bryan, who thereupon sets forth
two intermediate courses OF dealing
with the islands, but condemns them
in advance by saying neither IS like
" to prove satisfactory. He sets
them forth in this manner:
The first is to tax ourselves Tor
the development Of the islands, con-
scientiously governing the F1hplnoS
with an eye single TO their interest
This is doubtless the plan of those
who feel that our occupancy of the
islands is providential, and that we
are in duty bound to take care OF
the brown baby left on our doorstep.
There are several objections to this
policy. one of which is that the
Filipinos would distruSt our motives
and criticiSe our administration
/" Another objection will be
made by our own people, who would
grow weary of taxing themselves to
help others, when that help is re-
SeIitpQ. > EINp6IIGntS & io'A'''
expensive experience, TOBIAS con
WINGED even the most sanguine that
Philippine trade costs more than IL
is worth and that harbOr and COL
ing station would serve as well -"
2 stepping stone to the Orient as tl;e
whole group of islands inhabited by
a hostile people. The second halt
way policy is that which England EN-
ploys in dealing with Canada. Aus
tralia and New Zealand. This plan
permits the colony to have what IS
equivalent TO self-gOvernment, the
governor general retaining but never
using the veto power. 1t is not like
" that such a policy would be salts
factory if applied by our governme.;'
to the Philippines. We would IND II
much easier to protect the independ.
ence of the PHILIPPINES than to hold
them as England holds Canada.
The alternative propositions when
The American people have TO consider
are. first, shall the FilipinOs be gov
crned under a colonial policy similar
to that administered by England IN
India? Or. second, shall we treat the
FiljpinOs as we have treated the
Cubans, and make them at once
pledge of independence, the pledge
to be fulfilled when stable govern
ment is established"
On the ground that it would be an
abandonment of that theory Of gov
eminent which has given to this
country it's prestige among the ma
lions, Mr.. Bryan dIscards the Indian
rolicy of England. Imperialism, he