New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-28
The Filipino Revolt Should BE q
Death-Blow to the Sedition-
Coddling Jones Bill.


The Ricarte revolt in the Philippines IS warn
ing which Congress ought to heed. 1t IS warn
ing TO drop the vicious Jones BILL now pending IN
the Senate. which deliberately saps the founda-
tions on which our sovereignty in the Philippines
rests If the United States government wan
tonly casts cloud on its own title to the Philip
pine Archipelago if it disparages its own author
ity by declaring the latter to be merely that OF
temporary administrator, if it practically apollo
gizes for exercising transient control IN the
islands. what other feeling than contempt for ITS
weakness can it expect TO excite in the minds OF
Filipino agitators and politicians itching to squan
der the rich inheritance Of the American occupa-
ton?
The chief folly of the Jones bill is that 1t does
not consult either the dignity and interests OF the
United States or the welfare of the mass OF the
Filipinos. 1t is framed solely for the benefit OF
the native politicians, who can its concessions
to magnify their own Importance. They can play
upon the cupidty of some and the fears OF others
by holding out the prospect Of ncar-at-hand
American evacuation and the creation of native
Government, of which they will make themselves
the masters.
The Jones bill in its futile preamble (Which
the Filipino agitators will craftily construe
into series of binding pledges) says that
it has always been the purpose of the people OF
the United States to withdraw their sovereignty
over the Philippine Islands" 1t talks of the
speedy accomplishment of such purpose" and an
nounces that the extensions in local self-govern-
ment which the bill itself provides for are granted
solely in order to prepare the Filipinos to enjoy
"the privileges of complete independence
It is an impudent untruth to say that it has
always been the purpose of the people of the
United States to withdraw their sovereignty over
the Philippines. Moreover, even Mr.. Jones himself
knows that a preamble is not legislation and
that the promises which ne is holding out to the
Filipinos are really only claptrap But they are
Just the sort of captrap which will best suit the
purposes of the fomenters of sedition in the ISL
ands and do most to encourage the activities Of
those who will believe that we are only seeking
an excuse to decamp and that our exit can be
materially expedited by nagging and violence.
The cupdity of the native political class is the
only real motive power behind the agitation for
Philippine independence. At a recent hearing be-
fore the Senate Philippines Committee the Vice
Governor General Of the Philippines, Mr.. Hender-
son S. Martin, admitted that only 10 per cent of
the population wanted an independent native gov
eminent The other 80 per cent realize that they
arc better off under American rule than they
would be under a native regime. But if the
United States neglects the interests of the 80 per
cent and backs up the selfish agitation of the 10
per cent who want to exploit the community, the
great mass of the people will have no choice but
TO make the best terms they can with their pre-
destined despoers.
In the light of Mr.. Martins reluctant but con,
scentous testimony it is clear that the passage OF
the Jones bill would result only in increasing in
stability and unrest. If we are to stay on in the
Philippines simply TO coddle the local politician;
till they can take over the spoilS of Office might
as well get out at once. But if we TO maintain
our sovereignty land the United States has never
vet abandoned territory to which it has assumed
tite) we must stop apologizing for governing thi
dependency in our own interest and in the tru,
interest Of its people. The Jones bill represents
disgraceful evasion of the obligations of SOW
ereignty Its only logical outcome would be
sham continuation Of American rule, deSpised by
native sentiment and undermined by chronic con
spiracy and revolution.