The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1913-01-09
SELF GOVERNMENT
FOR PHILIPPINES

ny JOHN sNURE.

by JOHN sNuRE.
washington, Jan. 6.-Now that G0v-
ernor Wilson a come out IN favor
OF the independence OF tho Philippines,
there Is no longer any serious question
entertained here that b United States
lie going TO get rid Of the islands.
II the Jones bill pnsses. It will pro-
vide for the independence Of b Isl
In eight years. That Is, b blu
as It stands now has this effect. This
theory Of 1t IL that In eight years
time the Philippines would be ready
for Independence and self government
Probabilities are that no legislation
will be passed this session. IL 1t did,
President Taft would veto Il. But Il
doubtless will be enacted In the regular
session q year from this winter. It y
doubtful II congress- disposes OF q 9
ter OF this Importance at b extra
session next spring.
Settle Futurs Policy.
The discussion over the future OF
the Philippines will raise some highly
interesting and important questions az
to the future policy OF h United
States In the Pacific.
If the naturalization OF h Philip
pines can be erected, that Will make
it sure the islands will not fall n
the hands OF q foreign power, such az
Japan. II It Is not brought about, tf
the islands are not made q neutral
region, then there Is not much cues
ton what will soon become OF them,
While there Is no N of talk about
the stands deserving Independence
and being qualified for 1t, X congress-
turns them loose 1t will be not be-
cause most members OF congress think
they would be better of free, but be-
cause enough members OF congress
want to get rid OF q burden to the
United States to be willing and eve
anxious to give them Independence.
The sentiment that will dictate the
policy OF congress apparently will be,
not the welfare Of the islands, but the
best interests of the United States az
congress conceives them.
The Jones bill, II passed as 1t stands,
does not make Independence dependent
o n naturalization. In! other words, IL
the Jones bill passes, independence will
come whether naturalization does or
not.
Not Much Sacrifice.
The opinion a been widely held In
p~artianship, that the United States
would be much better OFF financially
and s~trategically IL 1t was rid of the
Philippines. The notion that 1t would
be any sacrifice for this country to
give up the islands has never had much
OF a hold on congress-, though there 10
a feeling among some members that
II h United States gives the islands
up 1t ought to get compensation, ought
to get back some Of the money 1t has
sunk.
When the debate over the Philip
pines comes up there will probably be
some interesting evidence onsthe ques-
ton Of the fitness Of the islands to
govern themselves. Some Of the mem
bers Of the insular affairs committees
dence is plentiful to show that once
the islands are turned loose, unless
mantled round by the safeguard Of g
naturalization agreement, they will
soon be in turmoil.
Tribes Bitter Enemies.
In the first place, there are a large
number Of tribes In Luzon the Ia
competent for self government. But
In Panay and other islands to the
south OF Luzon. are the Visayans. They
are a powerful body Of people, but arc
Jealous OF h Tagalos. About the
fEst thing to be expected once the
between the Tagalos and visayans.
Nor will the Mohammedan Moro
quietly submit to either the TagaloS
OF the Visayans. Here the door to
moro trouble will open. And there will
be other tribal difficulties, as folks
who have experienced the islands
understand, even If those who have
studied them at a distance If $1,000
miles do not.
It is undoubtedly true that II the
great powers would neutralize the ISL
and and keep q firm hand over them.
suchsconditions would be obviated. But
they are not likely to be otherwise.
May Fall to Japan.
II there is no naturalization and tho
islands get into an upheaval Of strife
n revolution, then 1t is not likely
Japan will let the chance pass UNI
noticed.
Some plain speaking will be in
dulged in when the debate comes on.
A lot of talk about the glory of giving
Independence to the islands will be In
dulged. But there will also be some
speech of a more cold blooded but
probably more honest sort. It will be
to the effect that the longer the United
money 1t Will be out, hat this coun-
try should drop the Philippines and
let the Filipinos shift for themselves
no matter what becomes of them, that
we should absolutely drop them and
refuse to worry about them longer or
have any more responsibility for them,
and that IL Japan or some other ma
ton grabs them that will not be our
lookout, nor will it weaken our grip
on the Pacific; that the islands are q
liability and not an asset and unless
ready to keep them as a liability wo
should part with them.
ISOLUTION is THOUGHT