New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-29
A Saving Remnant.

sentatives who revolted against tne oeh-
ate Philippine bill have it in their power
TO save the people Of this country from
d;shonor They can prevent brutal and
despicable reputation Of the obligations
which the United States Government as
sumed when it ratified the Treaty OF
Paris.
Two months ago, when the House Com
mittee on Insular Affairs reported the
Senate Philippine bill without amendment,
il looked as if the only hope Of averting
this betrayal lay in the Presidents veto.
II was a frail hope, at best; for the Pres
ident in dealing with the Philippine prob
lem had manifested the same INDIGESTION,
the same uncertainty and frailty of pur-
nose which had marked his attempts to
deal with the problem of preparedness,
with Mexico and with the critical ques-
tons arising out of the European war.
The Administration was at first COM
mitted to a continuance of American con-
troll over the Philippines until the Fill
pinos should demonstrate their capacity
TO be promised them but no definite date
for the termination Of American sover-
eighty was 10 be set. Secretary Garrison
had strongly indorsed the Hitchcock Phil
ippine bill. and it was universally under
stood that in doing so he spoke also for
the President.
Senator Clarke, Of Arkansas, the most
feared of the Democratic leaders IN the
Senate, because the most outspoken and
independent, was dissatisfied with what
he considered the milk-and-water charac-
ter of the Hitchcock measure and started
an agitation for ruthless compliance
with the pledges of independence for the
Filipinos given in various Democratic ma
tonal platforms. He defed the Admins
tration on this issue, as he had previously
defied it on the shipping bill. He took
the Philippine measure out Of Mr.. Hitch
cocks hands, amended it so as to turn the
Philippines loose Internationally four or
five years hence and passed it without in
curing whether or not it harmonized with
the Presidents ideas or wishes.
Mr.. Wilson was undoubtedly annoyed
at first by Mr. Clarke's blunt reputation
of all concern on our part for the future
Of the Philippines What his attitude
and professions in the past should have
led him to say was well said to him (un-
fortunately not for him) by Secretary
Garrison. when the latter wrote: 81 con-
slider the principle embodied in the Clarke
amendment an abandonment of the duty
Of this nation and breach of trust with
the Filipinos. and, so believing, | cannot
accept it or acquiesce in its acceptance
But the President was unwilling to an
tagonize Congress on small matter like
,crapping the Treaty Of Paris. All he
would say in response to Mr. Garrison's
courageous words was this: at is my
Judgment that the action embodied in the
Clarke amendment 20 the bill extending
self-government to the Philippines is un-
wise at this time, but it would clearly be
most inadvisable for me TO take the posi-
ton that must dissent from that action
should both houses of Congress concur IN
> bill embodying that amendment"
Mr.. Wilson broke with Secretary Gar
rison on preparedness and accepted the
leadership of Mr.. Hay. On the Philip
pine question he broke with himself and
accepted the leadership of Senator Clarke
and Mr.. Jones, of Virginia.
Far from preserving the attitude that
he must yield unwilingy if both house:
should approve the Clarke amendment, he
has been using all his influence TO dragon
the House into accepting that amendment
BY letter written for the purpose of be
ing read in the recent Democratic HousC
caucus he put himself squarely on recorc
as favoring action in regard 10 the Philip
pines which he had only little while be
fore declared to be "unwise at this time.
The country will therefore owe nothing
20 Mr.. Wilson if it escapes the dishonoI
Of breaking its word, given TO the Fill
rinos 70 Spain and 10 the world-of run
ming away from service 10 civilization
which VIC undertook Of our own ACCORD
and which we cannot now, without sham
INK ourselves abandon before it is I'm
ishcd. We shall owe it TO the courage oi
small number Of Democrats in The
House, more regardfu Of the country
good name than the President is if our
Government keeps It's faith and CONTINUES
70 do It's duty.
This little group Of unIntimidatcd Dem
ocrafs. joining with the Republicans, caa
prevent the sullying Of our good reputc
the frivolous striking Of our flag the ces
on. without condition and without com
onsation, Of territory Of vast present and
ill vaster prospective value, and the re.
Hnquishmcnt of a mission which We nc
cepted a. part Of that Service TO hs