The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1909-02-04
IS EVERYTHING IN THIS POLITICS


Covernor-G General Smiths criticism of the local govern
nen of Manila nothing than there was reason to
expect Home Rule given the FiInos for political effect
the United States and its failure comes as "a matter Oh
course.-Adveriser.
If criticism proved failure heaven help American legislature
Congress and the President However that failure
Filipino se-govenn1en matter of course tn
Home Rule was given for political effect If the latter is U
the late President MCKINLEY was tneserving hyrocrite in
the things wrote said about the Philippines Roosevelt
other and Taft has followed them with Congress and the count
appaudg The writings of the three statesmen named TEEN wi
Home Rule practicable with leading them to fitness for Sc
government This the basis of McKneys appeal to Taft
take the Philippine goveorhp and the basis of Tafts accean
of his whole administration and his present policy That policy is
day all Americans-bas of their claim before all
world have set higher standard than set before in
administration OF dependency In his last regular message to
present Congress, month ago. President Roosevelt said
Real progress toward selfgovernment being made in the
Philippine Islands. The gathering of Philippine legislative
body and Philippine assembly marks process absolutely
in Asia only regards AsatiC colonies of European
powers regards Aaic possessions of other Asac
powers; and indeed always excepting the striking and
deru example afforded by the great Empire of Japan, it
opens entirely departure when compared with any
thing watch has happened Asiatic powers which
their masters. Hitherto this Philippine legislature has
acted with moderation and seesrant and has seemed i'll
practical fashion realize the eternal truth that there must
always be government and that the only way which any
body of individuals the necessity of being governed
by outsiders show that they able restrain them
selves, keep down wrongdong and disorder The Fill
Pine people, through their officials therefore making real
steps the direction of sefgovernment hope and believe
that these steps mark the beginning of which will
till Flpnos become fit decide for themselves
whether they desire to be an independent nation x
All do give them the opportunity to develop the
capacity for sef-govenment We must be wise
and generous help the Filpinos master the diff
cult of sefcontrol which simply another for self
government. But not give them self-gOvernment
in the of governing them that gradually they
may, they able learn govern themselves Under the
present system of laws and sympathetic administration
have every believe that they gradually
curing the character which lies the basis of selfgovern
ment and for which, if it be lacking, system of laws
paper constitution will in any wise substitute Our
people in the Philippines have achieved what may egitmate
be called marvellous in giving to them government
which marks part of those in authority both the
sary understanding of the people and the necessary purpose
to them disnterestedy and in good faith that
within generation the time will arrive when the Philippines
decide for themselves whether is well for them be-
independent continue under the protection of
strong and dnerested power able guarantee the ISL
ands order home and protection from foreign invasion
But prophesy the date when will be wise
to consider independence fixed and definite policy 1t
advance for must depend upon the way in which the Phil
pine people themselves develop the power of sefmastery
This is politics 1t politics when Mckinley first drea
ed it. 1t and the highest craftsmanship 1t is true that it
had its political effect home deprived the rampant Bryan
issue but had been thought by Mckinley before Bryan
If the policy dictated by politics. would only she
much the strongly what the American system for
teal necessity of giving the Fpnos Home Rule could only arise
cause American sentiment home would tolerate other plan
Some of those who know Taft best that he feels that his a
safe upon the work he did in the Philippines first gov
nor that OF pang and winning the people and leading them
the beginnings of egovenment When he left Manila he pro
sed back and open the first Philippine legislature
Travelled all the way from Washington and did So making add
fully line with the dasm Mckinley and the quoted
that OF the people Of little Hawao which in the
Tree suffrage the Mckinley administration applied the policy
regarded all these procedures of State having higher mott
that political effect at home"
Will The Star tell us what the new local government
which was established Just month ago., has done to