The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-12-19
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PHILIPPINES

Washington, y. G.. Dec. l9..-Ai-
though II would be practically lmpos-
Klble 10 protect the Philippine islands
IN TIE event Of war with Japan, and
although the retention OF these far-oif
possessions IL costing the people OF
lne l'ninted States millions Of dollars
YEAR vet there have been develop
mente recently which Indicate that II
the Republicans have their way, inde'
pendnence will not be given the isl.
Ands within the present generation.
There Is reason 10 believe this pol
scy Is being agitated by powerful spe-
cial interests which have already start
ed in on the exploitation OF the natur-
al resources of the islands,
In other words. the very thing that
President Mckinley secretly feared
when the Philippines were taken over.
Is coming to pass,
Mckinley declared to men still liy-
inng that there was the greatest dan
ger OF exploitation OF the islands by
greedy American capital He caused
10 be inserted in the organic law OF
the Philippines provision that no
coriluration could purchase in excess
Of 2.50a acres OF public domain. And
ior time the foresight of Mckinley
heil the rich sugar and timber lands
safe
Recently. however, the sugar trust
found way TO purchase, at ride
ulous prize. $4,000 acres Of the very
Richest of the Friar sugar lands. The
wlv was provided By United States
Attorney General Wickersham. who
All the time of his appointment was a
sugar trust attorney Mr.. Wicker
sham held that the government had
,acorired the Friar lands subsequent
TO the taking over Of the Philippines.
and tnat the law conceived by Mckin-
ley for the express purpose OF pre-
venting what the trust was aiming at.
did not apply to the Friar lands.
The successful entry to the natural
wealth of the islands By the sugar
trust. with similar advances by large
rubber and lumber interests, is view
ed by the Filipinos with alarm and
DESPAIR They are coming more and
more TO ieel that Uncle Sam Is de-
nying them Independence more be
cause the American trusts desire II
than because they are not tit for self
government.
Secretary OF War Di kinson recent.
IN made an investigation in the Phil.
ippines. obviously for the purpose 0
bringing back a report showing th,
Fslipinos will not be prepared for N
dependence within this generilion
Secretary Dickinson has just made his
report to the president II will meet
with che approval OF the special 4
terests, because il declares the susai
trust acted within its rights, thus let
ting down the bars or further eA
,ploitation OF the Friar lands
The secretary shows that the FIJI
plnos are demanding Independence OF
every hand and then reveals the pur
nose of his report in the statement
that Il is a "delasion" for the innaDa
ants OF the islands 10 hope that the
win be permitted TO govern them
selves within the present genera
ton
The war secretary states that peace
law and order prevail throughout the
Islands and that former head hunters
are now devoting themselves TO agri
culture and other peaceful pursuits.
He shows that deep and wide
spread interest is manifested in edu
cation on the part OF young aud old
and that the burden of taxation fol
schools. good roads and internal i'm
proyements is cheerfully born.
Good Progress is being made 1t
learning the English language The
financial onditions of the islands Is
satisfactory. Mr. Dickinson reports
there being surplus OF s6.394 1886
lUncle Sap's deficit for only the last
four months was more than $1,000,
Does
The railroads are well cDnstructe'
ana well maintained; progress is be
Ing made In agriculture. and there Il
widespread movement for the pro
motion OF health conditions.
Qnery: u the Filipinos are making
such excellent progress as Mr. Dickin
son reports. why Is Il Wild "delu
sion lor them 10 look forward to in
dependence within the time OF thf
present generation. even under tho
best and most rapid development pos
slbie7"
The Republicans In their next ma
tional platform will In substance prob
ably express themselves as Mr.. Dick
inson has done Il Is the recognized
RepHbllcan position. Yet It Is Obvioni
that II the Philippines are not cui
loose from us within generation. i
Will be diff ult 10 divorce them AZ all
Bv the end Of another generation
American capita. VIII have become
thoroughly intrenched aud will de
mand still further American occupa
tlon OF the islands for the protection
Of American Interests.
II is believed that only IN the event
OF the Tar regime being succeeded By
Democratic administration. Is there
any hope Of early Withdrawal OF Amer
lean troops la the interest Of a nen
frallzed Filipino republic.
Democrats have advocated the train
ing Of the Flllpinos IN seIf-goyernneni
withsa view OF cutting loose from AZ
quickly as possible. consistent witt
the isllnds' welfare They have tried