Evening star., 1907-08-27
PHILIPPINES MAY
Be A Bic ISSUE
Question Likely to Cut Figure
in Next Campaign.
CONGRESS TO DISCUSS IT
Administration Will Welcome Debate
on Islands Sale.
DEMOCRATIC VIEWS WANTED
True 1nwardness of Trip of Members
of the Minority Party to the
Archipelago.
CONGRESS TO DISCUSS IT
Administration Will Welcome Debate
on Islands Sale.
DEMOCRATIC VIEWS WANTED

The Philippines question is to come up in
Congress at the next session, and may
prove to be issue In the next preslden-
tial and congressional campaign. The dis
Cussion In Congress Will turn upon the
proposed sale OF the Islands, presumab
to Japan, and there Will be a powerful lot
of talking pro and con. 1t may be stated
that the administration will welcome the
debate and will be glad TO ascertain the
drift of public sentiment in this country, as
represented by the palaver in Congress and
echoed by the public press, on the general
proposition OF the disposition OF the Phil
ippines.
In this connection, 1t is reported that
the administration has been sponsor for
the visit of two democratic politicians of
national renown, one of whom is United
States senator, TO the Philippines, whose
object was TO ascertain the actual Condi-
tion of affairs IN the Islands from demo-
cratic viewpoint The hope of the admins
tration is said to be that these two demo-
Gratis possessing the confidence of their col
leagues will be instrumental in conveying
Go the democrats in Congress an impress
sion Of the actual state of affairs in the
islands
Their Extensive Travel.
These two travellers have been in the
Philippines since early in the summer and
are now en- route home. They have Travelled
over the greater part of the archipelago
and also have visited Japan. 1t is as
sumed tnat they gathered fund of infor-
nation which will be va liable for political
purposes and the administration hopes to
benefit.
The administration interest lies in this;
the democratic policy toward the Philip
pines as last expressed was one of 'scut-
tie" The democrats demanded that the
Fipincs be given independence and that
the islands be turned loose upon the face
Of the earth. The republicans have con-
tended that the Filipincs are not fit to gov
crn themselves and that if turned loose the
island will soon be Sobbled by Germany or
Japan. Moreover the United States has
expended some hundreds Of millions of dol
lars-how many hundred millions it is diff
h"ult to estimate-and some precious Amer
ican lives in trying 10 get the Philippines
upon a stable basis. The administration
and the Republican party are unalterabIy
opposed to "scuttle."
There was an election in the Philippines
and II occurred while these ad1ninist ra-
uon-escorted democrats were there, by the
way-which threw a Very significant light
on the subject of the willingness and abil-
ity of the Filipinos to take up self-govern-
ment These returning democratic politi-
cans Will be able to tell their party leaders
In Congress something about the prospects
"I the F1Hpinos being in position to set up
u government that would stand fortnight
after being set adrfft by the United States
Democratic Policy May Be Modified.
In other words. 1t Is regarded as possible
that the democratic policy regarding the
Philippines may be modified or Influenced
by the reports which these two very promi-
mont and trustworthy democrats bring back
from their government ond,Icted tour of
the orient. II the democratic party in Com
gross abandUns the 'sCuttle" policy and ex
hihlts Willingness TO deal with the Phil
lIIlhes question on a practicable basis the
ad.hlhistrahon would feel that II owed a
large debt OF gratitude TO any one who as
sisted in bringing about that end
IL Is said that the discussion In Conprass
Will be Of the highest Importance Cnntnc
ON tIe eve ~ a presidential and congress
sional campaign. and tsT ertally in view of
the present del cate relations hatwCa- +Sa
nited States and Japan. If a no itic,I
party in this country should renew fha aot
tation for independence of the PbIlinnin7 90
al this time, and with japan aliegei 70 10
~ work fom"ntIng d'sincCtiCu aTnnnp tha
flip!HoS, X s feared that another -
r",t ON would break ont. That yoJlI he
Regarded as highly favorable moment fnr
with
In administration circles il is declared
ttat one thing s certain: as long as this
Administration Is in power the Phil,pn;n~ :
VIII not lie permitted To he regarded as tic
pos tive spoil OF either a politi,al ,,,r,,.
IL the Philippines or th, Urey ~ a f6rrien
power There IS Eo SEn of 4 wcakIinp mol. :
~ among The rypG, li,a"S- Every we K
brings atruJu.S e plans for fortifyfnr or5
armins the Islands powerful American
10; is goirI 10 the Pacific side read for
any service which might be demanded hy
fgtare events