The Washington herald., 1914-06-07
DANGER 10 FMRllOS.
Worst Enemies in Public Life Are
Mistaken Enthusiasts.

As II II hadn't already troubles enough
on Its hands, the administration 10 going
to encourage legislation for upsettins
the political status In the Philippines.
Representative Jones'. Of Virginia. the
great Philippine emancipation. has again
obtained President Wilson's ear and
promises to Introduce In . day or two q
a territorial form Of administration. give
them practical control of their local af-
fairs and pledge the United States to
turn them loose ~ q nation as soon as
they prove their capacity for self-gov-
ernment. Moreover. the United States
VIII undertake to secure from the chief
powers OF the world a guarantee of the
Independence and naturalization of the
Archipelago. But considering the mess
which the administration has made so far
of foreign relations. an internationally
guaranteed Filipino republic is far more
distant dream than a pacincd Mexico,
basking In contentment and plenty and
chesrfully discharging under the super
vision OF he United States its domestic
and international obligations
II shows some self-restraint on the ad-
ministration's part that II has not put
the Jones Phiiippines-for-the-Fil -Filipinos
bill on the legislative program for this
session. Congress. fortunately. has been
occupied with more serious matters, and
enthusiasm for the Baltimore platforms s
promise Of ian immediate declaration OF
the nations purpose to recognize the in
dependence OF the Philippines Islands so
soon as stable government can be es-
tsblished' 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 admins
tration with the Fiiipinos has not been
encouraging. Governor General Harrison
was sent out to Manila with a flourish
of trumpets, instructed to hasten the
bestowal Of the blessings Of home rule.
He de-Americanized the Philippine Com
mission and the insular> administration.
But the only results so far of the ad-
mission OF the natives to a larger meas
ure OF power and responsibility have
been more carelessness in the prepara-
ton Of the insular supply bills in the
Legislature and more defalcations among
the minor officials. Instead of stimulate
ing the natives to prove they are capa-
bic OF efficient self-government the relax
atoms OF American control brought about
by the wilson-Harrison 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
and selfish purposes
We think that the President will have
years in Strengthening out the Mexican
1t would be folly for him to
stir up another hornets nest by turning
control of the Philippines over to the
Filipinos. 1t will be many years-an-
other generation at least-before the
Filipino people begin to master the art
OF self-government To force them pre-
into an experiment which must
De disastrous to them would be cruel and
thoughtless- Their worst enemies in pub
lie life are mistaken enthusiasts like Mr.
Jones. They will have no cause to re-
member Mr.. Wilson gratefully IL he
should help Mr. Jones to thrust a bur
den on them which they are not fitted
to carry.-New York Times.