The Alaska citizen., 1914-10-19
PHILIPPINE DENCE.

PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE.
 At this writing it IS evident that the Philippine islands will soon be granted full independence. This is in line with the policy of the United
 States almost from the first. though it must be admitted by almost every. body that the speeches of William ]. Bryan. now secretary of state. had much to do in forming such pub lie sentiment in this country.
 This unselfish act on the part of the American government is certain to win the high esteem of the goo. people of all nations for this is real ly the first country voluntarily to re linquish foreign territory to the peo- ple that occupy it. It is one of the many thing that must make every true American proud of his native land
 If the United States had been gov ierned by an absolute monarchy. or by an aristocracy. it is quite cer- tain that a land as rich in natural resources would never have been freely forfeited Titled rulers must depend upon their possessions for taxes that will support the royal families in ease and will provide funds for expensive wars. But the United States has no expensive rul- yer to support and her people pay less military taxes than do any other
 civilized people in the world
 When the United States establish ed a protectorate over Cuba. the press of foreign nations freely pre-
 dicted that this country would ul- timately annex the island and absorb that government. But this was
 wrong. for as soon as a competent government was established in Cuba.
 the United States withdrew it's
 troops and the only time it sent sol diers there after that time was when an instruction started. When peace returned to the island American troops were again withdrawn
 Again, when the Mexican revolu- tionists succeeded in driving Pres;- dent Diaz from Mexico. and the lit
 tie republic was weakened by in ternal strife, there were many who predicted that the United States
 would find some excuse for conquer
 ing the people there and anneXing
 that country But the United States again showed to the world that it is
 take advantage of small war-strick-
 en nation for the purpose of en- larging our territory.
 When the Hawaiian islands were torn by local revolution. and the
 native monarchy had been overturn- ed pressure was brought by the rich planters of the islands to get ! the United States to acquire the territory. But the United States
 refused to take any such action
 until at last the people of the is lands. by common vote, appealed to the United States for annexation
 that they might enjoy the protection that a great nation would ensure them Then the islands were an neXed
 There are today millions of dol lars of American money invested in property in the Philippine Islands, and the owners of that money have
 been doing all they could in poli- | tical ways to prevent the islands
 from becoming independent for they | feared loss of revenues and heavy
 taxation as a result of such a pro cedure, but their efforts have been
 unavailing.
 The United States did not set out
 with the intention of acquiring the
 Philippine islands But, in the war with Spain, the islands came into
 the hands of the Americans, who. having destroyed the Spanish gov ernment there, such as it was, were in duty bound to protect the natives until such time that they could man. age their own affairs
 The first thing the United States did after the Philippine insurrection came to an end. was to send an army of school teachers to the islands and to bring up the new generation in such a way that the government eventually could be turned into their hands This unselfish duty has been performed. and the American people can feel proud indeed of the humane form of government under which they exist.