The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-05-04
THE FREEDOM OF THE PHILIP
PINES.

Almost unnoticed by the public, so
great and many are the questions that
are now confronting u.s. the United
States is abort to perform an act that
I'm less strenuous times would have
been great political question, viz:
Give the Philippine their independ-
en"c. The bill for that purpose, which
has already passed the senate, and
in the house where it is now pending,
has passed the democratic caucus by
/ a vote Of 40 to 35, provides, among
other things. for the withdrawal Of
American sovereignty from the islands
four years after the presidents APP
prevail Of the pending measure, al
though the president may at that time
prolong our sovereignty by proclnma.
tion until the end Of the congress
then in existence.
We have always believed that the
acquisition Of the Philippines by the
government was a mistake. owing to
our theory and practice of govern
mcnt. They must necessarily be a
burden on US. as they have always
been. and can he no source of profit
to us.
The only ground on which our &C.
ton in taking possession Of them
could he defended is on the grounds |
Of humanity. Having once undertaken |
1t on that high plane, we can not af, |
ford to turn loose the job until we |
have finished it. Are we ready to turn
them loose?
From all reports that have come to
us as to the condition of the Philip
pines rs far as their capacity for self
government is concerned, we do not
think the time is yet ripe for giving
them their independence. The only
grounds ON which we could he iusti-
fed at present in Kidding ourselves of
the Philippines is that they are
burden on MS, and would endanger us
III case of war, since we would have
to protect them. We who have under
taken a TASK for such high motives,
can no; afford to give it up for such
haSe ones. 1t seems that the action Of
our government at Washington are
at present by fear and
apprehension, by what we were accus
Toned to call at college a "streak of
which term was applied TO !
lie boy who called to do his duty in q
root ball game, and held up his end
of the line. II that is the motive of =.
congress in freeing the Philippines, :
md We fail 20 see any other good one ,
It present, it would seem that con. ,
'ress is possessed Of yellow streak' :
Town Its back that is not possessed by
he nation at large, or at least should :
lot he by a nation as great as these :
United States.
We take the stand we do because I
&c believe that congress is about TO
omrnit one Of the biggest mistakes -.
the present generation, TO set free ii
people for self government WIN are e.
OF capable Of 1t. The example OF Il
ur SISTER state to the south, Mexico %
men Is curse to all mankind 81
nouId he enc that would cause con. r
ross to halt in its steps before Il If
''nnlits this irretrievable error. Phil. A.,
pine independence means revolution d
ld revolution means another Mexico a
curing the years of American oc- 81
parton there have sprung up by ex. i II
'ess invitation of the United states CT CT
ny. ,se eOlonies OF Americans and OF pr
.ner Foreign peoples, who have mi. ar
.s a., there and invested their money W.
' 'heir homes and are rearing IN
ear children under the good govern. fe'
eh' being given them BY the un,,sd tn