New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-05
No Time for Foolish Experiments
in the Philippines

As IL If hadn't already troubles enough on us
hands the administration is going t encourage iesi''
lation for upsettng the political status In the M
inpnes Representative Jones' of virginia tnc
great Philippine emancipation, has again op'aiheu
president Wilson's ear and promises TO INTRODUCE
in day or two measure which VIII grant '"0
philippines a territorial form of Administration
give them practical control Of their local AFFAIRS
and pledge the United States TO turn them loose ID
a nation as soon as they prove their capacity LOT
elfgovernment Moreover. the United states VIII
undertake to secure from the chief powers OF the
world guarantee Of the independence ana heu'
tralizaton Of the archipelago. But considering the
mess which the administration has made so far OF
foreign relations an internationally guaranteed fl-
pino Republic is far more distant dream than Il
pacified Mexico. basking in conentment and plenty
and cheerfully discharGng under the supervision oil
the United States its domestic and international
obligations.
II shows some selfrestraint on the administra-
tons part that it has not put the Jones Philippines
for-the- Filpinos bill the legislative programme
for this session. Congress, fortunately. has been
occupied with more serious matt rs, and enthnsl-
asm for the Baltimore platforms promise OF IAN
immediate declaration of the nations purpose TO
recognize the independence Of the Philippine ISL
ands so soon rs a stable government can he estaD-
lished" has reached a high pitch in few other
bosoms than those Of Mr.. Jones and his mentor
Mr. Manuel l.. QuezOn.
The experience Of the Wilson administration with
the Fipinos has not been encouraging. Governor
General Harrison was sent out to Manila with a
flourish of trumpets, instructed TO hasten the be-
stowal of the blessings of home rule. He de-Amen-
canized the Philippine Commission and the insular
administration But the only results so far Of the
admission Of the natives to larger measure OF
power and responsibility have been more careless
ness in the preparation Of the insular supply bills
in the Legislature and more defalcatOns among the
minor officials Instead of stimulating the natives
TO prove they are capable Of efficient selfgovern-
ment the relaxatiOns of American control brought
about by the Wilson-Harrson policy have had an
exactly contrary effect. They have quickened the
ambition of the political class not to administer the
government for the general good but to exploit it
for factional and selfish purposes.
We think that the President will have all that he
can do in the next couple of years in Strengthening
out the Mexican situation. It would be folly for
him to stir up another hornets nest by turning
control Of the Philippines to the Filipinos 1t
will be many years-another generation at least
before the Filipino people begin to master the art
of self-gOvernment TO force them prematurely
into an experiment which must he disastrous to
them would he cruel and thoughtles5 Their worst
enemies in public life mistaken enthusiasts like
Mr. Jones They will have no cause to remember
Mr. Wilson gratefully If he should help Mr.. Jones
to thrust burden on them which they are not
fitted ~ carry.