The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1908-10-21
BRYAN AND TAFT.
Continued from Page One


mission as above set forth can be
denominated a disasterous expert
ment in imperialism. So far from its
being an experiment in imperialism
il is an experiment and a novel one In
preparing for self government an I'M
developed people who had for nearly
four hundred years been under the
domination of medieval monarchy.
Mr. Taft points out that the great
majority of Filipinos appreciate
that independence would not be a
blessing TO them in the absence of a
protectorate.
4 think it may be truthfully
stated" he says, that the Filipinos
generally feel that what we are doing
there is not brake upon their legiti-
mate aspirations, but an impulse
given 10 their growth and develop
ment along safe and sensible lines.
Mr. Bryan thus begins his article:
Honesty requires that our policy
regarding tire Philippine Islands be
announced. The Filipinos have a
right To know; other nations are en-
titled to the information; and our
position would be strengthened by
declaration of the nations purpose.
So long as there is doubt there will
be discussion: so long as there Is
uncertainty the Filipinos will snns-
picion the worse, other nations Will
accuse us of insincerity, and our own
people will be embarrassed in the ad-
yocaey of the principles of govern
ment which we apply here and refuse
To apply in the Philippines. \ re-
public cannot hold colonies for col
olial government rests upon force
rests upon the consent of government
To say trait the Filipiuos have no
right to a voice in their own govern
ment and in the shaping of their own
destiny raises question as 10 mans
inalienable rights, and the citizens
of free country cannot afford to
raise such a question"
Mr.. Bryan says then that improve
ment In the islands does not mean
that better policy might not have
brought greater improvement.
He declares the experiment In i'm
perialism to have been an expensive
one and he charges the increase In
army and navy expenditures to moth
ing that has happened in the United
States to make them necessary but
- sthe foreign dangers connected
with the possession OF the Philip
pines.
Suppose, he says, that Japan
wants the Philippine Islands al
though there is no reason to believe
that she does-would we not be in a
better position to defend the islands
II they were independent? II the
F'ilipinos we're in charge of their
own government they could have an
army and arms and ammunition
We. as protector, could supply what
they needed. and the soldiers. The
Filipinos would be willing to fight
for independence, and when We re-
member how stubbornly they resist
ed us. we can appreciate the aid they
would render us II any other nation
should attempt to enforce SOW
ereignty over trem. BY reserving
coaling stations and naval basis. we
would have all the advantages that
We have now, without the dsad-
vantages that we have now, without
the disadvantages of our present
position. And then, too, there is the
likelihood, If not the certainty, that
We would secure the naturalization
of the islands by agreement and thus
relieve ourselves from all expense or
care"
MIR. Bryan protests that the Dem
ocratfc party does not contemplate
immediate withdrawal from the Is
lands. but an immediate announce
ment of the nations policy"