The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-12-12
PAGE FOUR THE JEFF
Will the Democrats Free
the Philippines?


the Philippines, cut little more
figure, if any, in the general politi-
cal equation, than the American In
dian does with us today To those
who have any doubts on this ques-
ton we most heartily recommend
this excellent volume from the pen
of one who was an officer of volun-
teers in the war and subsequently a
judge. He has not the slightest
question as to the ability of the Fill
pinos to set up satisfactory govern
ments.
''Under the promise of independ-
ence, he declares, very fair electo-
rate of at least one-third, possibly
One-half, of the adult male popula-
ton, could be built up The setting
up of prospective Filipino States
would, he says, electrify the Filipi-
no body polite as would the mere
definite promise Of independence.
But without that definite promise,
nothing can be gained. Least of all
would it be fair to deny self-govern-
ment to millions because of a frac-
ton of the uncivilized among them
We must, as Judge Blount says,
make clear to all concerned, and
particularly to the American CRATER
and Filipino demagogue, that the
government of a remote and alien
people is to have no permanent
place in the purposes of our national
life
The Baltimore Evening Sun
(Ind.), while indorsing the Demo-
cratic attitude, warns against haste,
and has this to say:
1t will be remembered that Mr.
Bryan made his campaign in 1900
chiefly on the issue of Imperialism
and Filipino independence, and
though defeated, the Democratic
party has refused to believe that
that verdict represented the coun-
try's final answer and has kept it
to the front ever since as a vital
question of national policy and hon
or. The Jones Bill, which was in
troduced at the last session and
which is to be called up soon after
the reassembling Of Congress in De-
cember, is designed to redeem this
Democratic pledge, and it's friends
hope that it will become a law early
next spring.
The Jones Bill provides for a
probationary independence for PEI
Rod Of eight years, during which the
President of the United States would
have veto power over any legisla-
ton which might be passed by the
Filipino Congress. 1t reduces the
qualification for the franchise from
500 pesos to $50, and from those
who can read and write Spanish or
English to those who can read and
write a native language. The Phil
1ppine Legislature at present consists
Of the Philippine Commission, ap-
pointed by the President of the Uni
ted States, as an upper house, and
the Assembly, elected by Filipino
voters, as the lower. This system
has been in operation since 1907,
but it has not satisfied the aspira-
tions of the natives, and Manuel
Quezon, their Delegate to Congress,
is leading the fight for national
emancipation.
"The only substantial objection to
the Jones Bill seems to be the in
suficiency of the probationary pc
riod provided. Eight years is
scarcely long enough to educate the
Filipinos in the art of self-govern-
ment. 1t is true that they have
had some five years of preliminary
training and that they have had the
advantage of American contact and
civilization since we delivered them
from Spanish rule in 1898. But
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