Bisbee daily review., 1913-06-24
ORDER BEFORE INDEPENDENCE.

We think that the advocates of in dependence for the Philippine Islands made a serious error in committing themselves unreservedly to the scheme introduced in the last COR gress and urged in this, fixing a Geri mite date at which complete inde- pendence shall be established. The vigorous opposition of eHtPresldent Taft to this plan in his recent speech is abundantly sustained by the gen eral situation and by the trouble with the Moros in the South. eliminating in General Pershins successful at- tack 'upon their mountain stronghold Gen. Pershing is the best friend the MoTos have and has been untiring in seeking to secure their peaceful cooperation in the work of civiliza- tion and gradual advance to sell gov ernment. What would be the chances of a native Federal government 70 attain and preserve order in the is, lands against the turbulence, not only of the Moros but Of half a dozen other tribes that would assert theH own notions of what independence al lowed required?
 Is it not plain. even to the most zealous advocates of independence, that the prime condition Of success for the Filipinos as an independent nation must be the ability to com mand a reasonable degree of order? Complete independence is impossible unless they can defend themselves against outside aggression. They can not do that unless they can keep the peace among themselves. And keeping the peace among themselves is equally needed as a condition Of any sort Of progress and prosperity. We are aware that the extremist have the notion that outside aggression can be provided against by some sort of protectorate, either that of the United States or a joint protectorate of several powers. Such a protector ate IS absolutely impracticabIc unleos the protecting nations can control the internal administration of the is- lands. No power. or group Of powers. would take the responsibility for the foreign relations Of the islands with out such control
 The first condition Of an iudeSendent government is that it can and will guarantee the rights Of foreigners within it's jurisdiction. If it cannot or will not do that. foreign govern ments win call it to account A pro tectorate could not possibly promise to stand on foreign governments ua- less the rights or these government 5 were recognized and secured. Turn which way you wiE it all comes back to the fundamental conditions that the maintenance Of peace and order must preoede or accompany iE- dependence. The fHlhIlment of that condition by the people Of the Philip pines is at present entirely hopalcsa.
 It must not be forgotten, as Mr. Taft has constantly maintained, that the one object Of the American policy has been. to make the fuldllmert oi this condition possible. While the Americans assume the task of teep ing order as long as it shall Dc nee essary, they seek in every way to fI the people of the islands to .aAc oSel the task To this end there is. first education, to give the islanders a common language, common ideals. and o6nnon interest Then there is the
 
 supreme work Of deseiopiug mvaps oI communication, in which wonders have already been accomplished. Ther there is the great and difhcult worl of general sanitation. in which much