The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1911-05-10
THE FUTURE OF THE, PHILIPPINE
PEOPLE
Will Be Given Serious Con-
sideration During Present
Congress.

W2SnlISIOli, MAY g. Ao Auouio VI
the Philippine Islands is to be given
serious consideration by the demo-
cratic majority Of this congress, if
plans are formulated by democratic
representatives interested in the is
lands to carry at the netx caucus
which is scheduled for the first part of
May.
What the democratic members of the
house and senate desire is neutraliza-
tion of the islands by a treaty to be
negotiated by the world powers. In
fact, its their desire to make of the
PHILIPPINES a government similar to
that of Switzerland, all of the nations
of the world pledged to its mainten-
ance, with the islands eliminated as
war prey.
The three democratic members
mostly interested in the program are
Representative Cox, of Ohio, Cline,
of Indiana, and Martin of Colorado.
The latter directed attention to the
Philippines in the last congress in
connection with the sale Of vast tracts
of fair lands to former officials of the
sugar trust. The sale was held to be
legal by the republican majority, of
last congress, condemned by the then
democratic majority, and Representa-
tive Martain has begun the unvlndiDg
of the legislative red tape in this ses-
sion to have similar sales stopped by
legal enactment.
Representative Cline is the author of
a resolution, now pending, granting
independence to the islands.
Representative Cox has an entering
wedge fo- Philippine independence in
his resolution calling upon the war
department for an itemized statement
showing the cost to the United States
of the islands since the Spanish
American war. He is of the opinion,
frankly expressed, that the islands
have not been of the slightest value to
this country, and will prove serious
menace in the event of war with
Japan. Military experts of all the
world powers are unanimously of the
opinion that the Philippines are at
present weakness in the defense OF
the United States, should a war in
volve in this country. These experts
predict, too, prediction that is unan-
imous, that eventually the United
States will have to fight Japan.
War with Japan would mean the
loss of the islands within week, for
in that period, Japan could rush more
soldiers into the islands than we have
in our regular army and militia organ
izations combined. The United States,
it is said, would never cease fighting
until the islands were regained.
"a war under these conditions, said
Representative Cox" would have one
of two possible endings: first, long
drawn out fight that would seriously
attack the resources of the nation. and
prove far more costly than the civil
war, or else defeat such as no proud
nation has ever felt in the worlds
history"
The Filipino people are ''crazy" for
They want an 1nde-
pendent form of government that will
be guaranteed by the world powers.
They will not take kindly, however,
to Japan being a signer Of such a
treaty. The Filipino people, it
is said, are suspicious of the
Japanese, and the Filipino nightmare
is that the islands may some day be-
long to the Japanese.
Up to the present, congress has
been unable to get the faintest idea OF
what the Philippines have cost. 1t
has been estimated that the early days !
Of the Philippine occupation cost the
United States $l,60O,00 each day to |
maintain it's army and navy in the |
islands. The estimate of the cost of |
the army and navy now |
there is $4,000 each day. 1t is said |
that Senator Root, when he was Sec
rotary of war, started to AID up the !
enpense Of t1e American occupation.
The figures were so gigantic that. he
ceased before the table was completed. |
''If the American people can be |
shown in figures the expensiveness of
government to the United
States," said Representative Cox,"
and, mind you, the civil expenses of
the islands government are borne ty
the Filippinos themselves, there will be |
a swee p of public opinion to unload |
the islands, and let them paddle their
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