Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-07
The Philippines.

Governor General Harrison's inaugural
address leaves something TO be desired In
the way OF definiteness. VIII you be
mine, darling, as soon as can provide
a home for. your inquired Reginald of
Mary Jane Couldn't you make the
proposition a little more definite. dar-
llng?". suggested the fond but practical
young woman.
Every step taken under republican adj
ministrations has been 'for the benefit of
the people of the Philippine Islands, and
with a view to the ultimate independence
of the islands" And the hope has been
that every move made would lead as rap
idly to independence las the safety and
the permanent interests of the islands
would permit.
The republicans established native par
ticipation in legislative affairs. The
democrats viii slightly enlarge 1t. But
between the message that Gov. Harrison
has delivered, and the urgent appeals Of
the ,Aguinaldians both in the islands and
here at home, is a difference wide and
deep. s
Representative Jones of Virginia makes
very damaging charges respecting Ameri-
can rule in the Philippines. and at the
an inquiry. W. Cameron Forbes, who
has just retired from the governor gen.
eralship OF the islands, challenges Mr..
Jones' statements, and hopes the inquiry
will be ordered. This should insure con-
gressional action.
II an inquiry is ordered how far back
should 1T go? Why not to the beginning?
The allegation of the so-called anti-im-
81 n,
taking over the islands to exploit them
for gain; and Mr.. Jones' allegation fits
that. II that was our object, then indif-
ference to the welfare OF the Filipinos
has followed naturally. II we have
wasted in useless improvements the
money collected from the natives 1t is of
a piece with the low motives ascribed to
US in taking charge
a searching inquiry, going back to the
beginning, would bring out the whole
story, pro and con. In the fourteen
years of our full control and activity,
how much have we done for the Fill
pinos. and how much against them? In
what condition did we find, them? In
what condition are they now? What
should probably be their condition today
IL We had sailed away as soon as Dewey
destroyed the Spanish feet, or have re-
manned just long enough for Aguinaldo
TO set up q government. with himself at
the head, and the heavily unarmored
American cruiser Friendship patrolling
the adjacent waters to keep the fleets of
other nations from interference?
But suppose Mr.. Jones succeeds In es-
tablishing a portion of his charges. Sup
pose what has been done by Americans
in the islands could have been done at a
lower figure. Suppose some of the work
need not have been done at all. Suppose
we have been hurrying improvements be-
yond needs. win that strengthen the
case of scuttle? If William III. Taft and
W. Cameron Forbes failed with their job.
should not Francis Burton Harrison sue
coed? And If Gov. Harrison should fail
to meet expectations could not the right
man be found in the democratic party?
Why not Mr.. Jones himself, changing
base from Washington to Manila in the
interest OF saving our face before the ma
tons of the earth?
Strange. but while Travelled Englishmen
think we have acquitted ourselves well in
the Philippines. some Americans are full
of fauItfinding, and anxious TO establish
not only incapacity but dishonesty on
the public servants we have sent TO the
Islands to represent the government.