The Washington times., 1914-10-02
THE PHILIPPINES.


Republicans in Congress. 1t would
be rather trying, indeed, to find a
man whose views come so near to
representing the real intellectual
leadership of the party in the ma
tion. The Senate contains no man
who deserves such rank. Mann oc-
cupies the rather remarkable posi-
tion of possessing the confidence OF
both the conservative and the radl-
cal members of his OWL party, as
those elements are represented In
Congress.
Therefore the Mann speech on the
Philippines is % be taken very seri-
ously. In effect, Mr.. Mann would keep
the Philippines, not turn them loose;
he would serve them, not cut them
adrift. He would undertake sincere
ly and earnestly to improve, educate,
and win their real friendship and af-
fection. In chat way he believes
they would be an asset, not liabil-
ity to us in the event Of great fu-
ture contest in the Pacific, which he
regards as altogether possible.
1t is not safe to hurry to conclu-
sions in such a mater as this, in
such a time as the present. The mi
nority of the Insular Affairs Com
mittee in the House made most
sound and convincing report, in
which they protested against the dis
cussion of such a measure as the
Jones bill at this time, on the ground
that it would inevitably call forth
expressions about international rela-
tions in the Pacific that might be
most embarrassing.
But there is mora reason even
than this, for giving attention to the
Mann view. Anti-imperialism has
cultivated the view that far-distant
dependencies are a weakness, not a
strength, to the nation. Surely that
will lave somewhat to be revised in
view Of the figure the British empire
is cutting N the world today. From
Canada, from Australia, from South
Africa, from Ceylon, from India,
Britain is bringing soldiers to fight
for the empire On the soil of France.
India, long regarded ty Britain's
critics as a conquered territory held
under the iror heel of military
despotism, turns up loyal support
er of the empire Its native princes
and rulers have offered their serv-
ices. their treasure, their troops, and
these have been accepted. Berlin
pictured in its minds eye a revolu-
tion in India that would keep Rrit-
ain preoccupiei to the extent of ex-
clusion from the war. Instead, In
dia is sending its brown men to fight
loyalty and well fer the empire of
which they seem proud TO be citi-
zens!
Even South Africa, so recently
conquered that its leaders are large
ly the very men who fought against
England, is taxing its place in the
lineup of the empire.
France is drawing levies of mag
nifcent troops from it's African prov
inces; there is every evidence, just
as there was ir 1870, that the Afri
can domain is a strength and sap
port, not a weakness, to the mother
country in time of real stress.
Let the Manr view be considered
with care and without prejudice or
partisanship. Is it not PROBABLE that
when this war is ended, new con-
ception of imperial relationships, a
new understanding Of The ties be-
tween mother countries and their
dependencies, will prevail throughout
the world? This is j war for the
right Of small nations and minor peo-
pies to exist. 1t is war for democ-
ratizatior Of the world; TO- popular,
iZation cf governments in every
qaarter of the globe; for establish,
rnent of a public Law in whose eye
every people will be guaranteed the
rights of existence and liberty ans
happiness. That public law will not
be established and maintained with
out federation and understanding
and cooperation among many peo
pies and sta.e.;. Britait,'s empire ap
pears to have been 5uilded on the
ideal Of giving real liberty, sub
stantial independence, AMI vas. ina
tcrial benefits. to a grea. group o.
communities celd together in ties o
common sympathy, institutions. sen
timent, and Interest. Is it to b'
conceded that the United States Shal
fail in the effort to win the affection
and LOYALTY Of the Filipino people
where Britain has succeeded in win
ming the Hindus and he Bocrs'
At least. let US wait the out2om
or swift moving events of today lie
fore starting OF program that !r&,
appear. few wears hence, to hav