The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-14
WITHDRAWING FROM THE PHIL
IPPINES.


IPPINES.
4 II the immediate "separationists,"
both ut home and in the Philippines,
would avoid making spectaoles of and
befuddling themselves by continued
insistence that the Democratic party is
pledged to Immediate withdrawal from
tho islands and declaration OF their in
dependence" 1T might be we'll for them
to con and analyze intelligently what
the Baltimore platform has to say on
the question. The Baltimore Philip
pines commitment reads:
| we reafirm the position thrice an
| nounced by the Democracy in national
convention assembled against policy
OF imperialism and colonial eXploita-
| ton in the Philippines or elsewhere
| we condemn the experiment in impe-
rialism as an ineXcusable blunder,
which has involved US i'll an enormous
| expense. brought us weakness instead
or strength, and laid our nation open
to the charge of abandonment of the
fundamental doctrine of self govern
| ment. We favor an immediate decla-
ration OF the nations purpose to rec
ognize the independence OF the Philip
pine Islands as soon as Il stable gov
eminent can be established, such indie
pendence to be guaranteed by us until
the naturalization OF the islands can
be secured by treaty with other powers.
In recognizing the independence of the
Philippines. our government should re-
tain such land as may be necessary
for coaling stations and naval bases"
There is II vast difference between
pledge to immediate withdrawal-sep-
aration-and declaration of independ-
ence, not standing upon the order OF
going. but going at once-and favoring
an immediate declaration of the ma
tons purpose to recognize the indie
pendence OF the islands as soon as a
stable government can be established
such Independence to be guaranteed by
us until naturalization of tho posses
sions can be secured by treaties with
other powers. 1t is unquestionable
that the Baltimore platform absolutely
Philippine Independence, but equally it
is unquestionable that absolutely and
unequivocally 1t binds the party to REQ
osnition of the nations duty to con-
tinuo TO discharge It's moral obliga-
tons to the t'ilipinos and civilization
and humanity. until such time as the
people of the islands shall haye proved
capable of discharging that obli-
cation themselves and we have OBJ
tanned for them guaranty that they
VIII be permitted to discharge It,
The Baltimore declaration clearly an
ticipates that the process of establish
ment of 4 stable government and Sc
curing naturalization by treaties is
likely to be a slow one and the con-
tention of the immediate or radical
separatonists mono the less, President
Wilson should be commended by all
real friends of the 1Tilipinos for his
determination TO make haste slowly"
and for his reported stand against
action until The knows much more
than he does now"
So far from Immediate withdraw,
meaning. as the radical separationists
cialrn' Keeping the Democratic faith
with the Filipinos. 1t would be tho
other way around If our wards are NOT
prepared for independence and we are
not yet in position to insure neutral
cation 1t would mean breaking the !
party's. and. since the Democrats ara
IN control of all branches of our pov-
eminent, the nations. faith in the mat
Ter. 1t would be Sinking miserablv
grave responsibility to the party. tho |
hauoh' The fllipinos and the world