New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-01
Representative Macarthur
DenOunCes Abandonment
Of Noble Work.
BRYAN ASSAILED
AS OBSTRUCTIONIST
Only Mestizo Politicians Clamor
for Philippine independence,
House Is Told.

- f"AA Atr hfANAIt b4ffe4
Washington, March 9l.-The policy
OF scuttle in the Philippines was de-
nounced as a shameful abandonment
OF one OF the mobiles, works which an
enlightened nation ever undertook on
behalf Of an inferior people it has res
cued from ignorance and tyranny" by
Representative e. c. Macarthur. Of Ore
gon, before the House OF Representa-
tives to-day.
I'VE did not annex the islands be
cause OF any desire for national aggran-
dizement or conquest" said Mr.. Nc
Arthur, "but because we realized that
the people were totally uni; 70 govern
themselves, and. II left 10 work out
their own salvation, would soon have
fallen under the regime OF the astute
and selfish Mestizo politicians the
only Filipinos now ciamoring for indie
pendenoe and the bloodthirsty tribes
men Of Mindanao. The progress which
we have made is sufficient proof of the
rectitude Of our intentions.
This work. 1egun by William Nc
kiEley and continued by Theodore
Roosevelt and William Howard Taft,
stands forth as one OF the splendid
chapters Of our national history. and
bears evidence OF an altruism that
speaks untold praise for our country.
When historians of the future shall
have spoken a dispassionate and final
verdict upon the deeds and achieve
ments OF the first decade of cur occu-
pancy OF the Philippine Islands, no
II ore inspiring chapter OF our national
history will be found.
Partisans Headed by Bryan.
"A party OF political partisans. head
ed by William J. Bryan, who sees no
good In any policy advocated b. the
Republican party. have from the out
set obstructed our great work in the
Philippines by branding II as imperial
SIN. They have made common cause
with the Mestizo politicians who clamor
for the opportunity TO exploit the PEG
pie in the name OF independence. The
present administration has already
practically turned over the government
Of the islands TO the Mestizos, and. by
Going 80. has driven out many trained
and experienced Americans who hal
made splendid records in their several
positions.
AS there are more than 5000 ISL
snds in the Philippine group, and as
tribal and sectional feeling runs high,
ii u impossible to establish any system
of government that would draw these
heterogeneous and incongruous people
into a national f-governing entity.
The Noros-'he inhabitants of the ISL
and Of Mindanao number half mill
ion people, with as many more tribes
men who are classified as bead hunt
ers,' and who have for generations
been hereditary enemies of the Fill
pinos.
THE Moros have been Mahometsns
for centuries, while the Filipinos be-
lieve in the Christian religion. The
Moros distrus. the Filiponis, and have
only refrained from annihilating them
because of the continued presence OF
Spanish armies, and later the troops Of
our own army. Il is we'll understood
that the Moros and the Igorrotes are
not in sympathy with the idea Of Phil
ippine independence. and it is fair to
assume that they will make trouble as
soon as the American flag is lowered