Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-04-11
independence for Philippines

THAT the Philippines are not worth the
l Sl.U00,o00 they have already cos,
the United States and the $IO.O00000 of
annual expenditure they are still costing. goes
without saying. Some trade advantages are
conferred on this country by the occupation
OF the islands. as Representative Jones points
out in his report 10 the House. but these
advantages wholly out OF proportion to
the tremendous expense involved.
We have no rGh,ful place in the Philip
pines Their continued possession is III OppO-
stion 10 the tradition OF this government
and the genius OF this people They a
source OF trouble and danger as we'll as OF
expense. They could not be- defended were
this nation al and the only problem
likely to be considered in such event would
be how 10 get the American garri*ons away
in safety. Even This might not prove pos
sbe
We promised the rlip;nos independence.
That promise given first ny President Nc
kinlev. has been reiterated by leading men
of both political partic. on a hundred sub
seQuent occasions. We in honor bound
to redeem il. as Il matter OF national good
faith. How declare for the Monroe
Doctrine, when al the same time are
forcibly occupying territory thousands OF
miles from our shores? What sincerity and
consistency can the world. in such Il situation.
concede 10 our pro'estations?
We are still engaged in tho iutile occupa-
ton OF terrifying the Philippines, especially
Manila. against attack. Without q great mo
bile army. which there is not the slightest
proba bility OF our sending across the Pacific.
the defenses that are being placed at Manila
and Cavite are lacking in real military value.
An enemy. once the Pacific Fleet were dis
posed Of. could land an expedition i'll any one
OF hundreds OF places on I.uzon or the other
islands OF the group. Our retention OF
Manila even if that extreme improbahlity
he assumed would do neither the Filipnos
nor any good.
In the meantime, there cities the
Atlantic Pacific and Gulf coasts that should
be protected While sending big guns
TO Manila. We neglect the entrance 10 Chesu-
peake Bay All the money the nation is az
all likely to spend for coast defense is needed
AZ home.
II is time to abandon this mistaken and I'M
profitable enterprise across the That
share OF the white mans burden that we
must bear is rightfully our soil and
the soil OF less distant dependencies. We
have spent billion and in trying to
TT the Fiipinos for Independence. and if
have succeeded, il is not our fault. Ii
wait until they are iii for self government.
according 10 American European stand
ards IL viii be d matter OF gene :a'iOns rather
than Of wears
Good faith. rhe public safety ana national
sclf-intcres, unite 10 urge Philippine indie
pendcnce at the earliest possible date The
people of the islands ought 10 be put definitely
on notice that they must prepare TO bear
their own burdens and realize their own
destiny ana then ,hcy should have the OBJ
portunitv. free alike OF our guidance and of
our coercion. 20 DO both.
Call it 'seuttle" if YOU will To a con
staniy increasing proportion of thinking
Americans, including many thousands Of re-
cent converts. IL appears as the and only
of h.it a