The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-01-22
But See a Moral Obligation to
Retain Control.
UNFIT TO GOVERN SELVES.
Republicans Say IL Is a Democratic
Responsibility and the Natives
Must BE Educated Sufficiently to
Establish a Stable Government-ls-
lands a Menace to Military System.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN

BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington, Jan. 21.-[Special. -
Ii is natural that quite a number OF
senators-those who have conscientious
scruples-feel just q bit squeamish
over this Philippine business. They
want to let the islands go-want to get
out bag and baggage just as soon as
possible. They want to vote that way.
but here comes In that still small voice
of conscience, and they hesitate.
They have doubts whether IL would
be just to the Filipinos TO cut loose
now; whether Ii would not be rather
cowardly to scuttle and run and let the
train of revolutions follow. which are
likely TO follow when United States au-
thority Is withdrawn. The question
with these men is whether 1t is moral
ly right to let go.
Democratic Responsibility.
There are men who believe that it is
a Democratic responsibility. that the
Democrats have been proclaiming In
all their platforms Philippine indie
pendence and now that they are In
power they should give them independ-
ence and that the Republicans should
help to force that responsibility upon
the party in power. That Is all right
for the cold blooded politicians, but not
for the men with a moral responsible
ty-men who feel that they must as
sumo their share OF what occurs.
Then there are Republicans who
know that their party was responsible
for the acquisition OF the islands In the
first place. To that extent the Repub-
licans are bound to vote In good faith
what they think will be best for the
people OF the islands without regard TO
party advantage In the present situa-
ton.
Why the Need of Preparedness.
When Senator Williams wen over TO
the prepare for war side he took his
big guns, side arms. munitions. sup.
plies and everything he possessed
There vas 40 halfway stopping place
nor leaving anything behind He was
showing the necessity OF preparedness
and telling how we should be armed
i'm order to get satisfaction from ma.
tons. After speaking of M crowd
that sank ships he said:
Another great b~elligerent has VIC
lated nearly every rule OF international
law with regard to our commerce upon
the high seas. Do you suppose we
stand a better chance or a worse
chance of getting satisfaction upon
that subject IL we are ready than II
we are unreadyT
His idea seemed to be that we ought
to be armed so as TO demand and Sc
cure satisfaction from both sides.
A Costly Experiment.
Ii 1t turns out. as predicted. that the
reclamation OF arid lands has proved
a failure after the expenditure OF
about $1O0.0O0,0O0 on various projects
1t will prove a costly experiment. Per
haps 1t is not as bad as that Possibly
the land must be made free or less ex
pensive for settlers and the cost OF wa
tering reduced. but IL must be possible
to prevent anything like an absolute
failure.
Needs No Defense.
Ever since Daniel Webster, speakinl
Of his great state. said. "Massachu
sets; there she stands: she needs a,
defense or words TO that effect. mos
OF the statesmen of the old common
wealth have not attempted to defent
the state from assault. but stood Sc
renely above the thought of possible
injury. 1--WE are accustomed to casua
v%ituperation in Massachusetts," sai(
Congressman Gardner I'm the house
I'VE consider II rather a compliment
IL you did not say anything about III
we should think that we really hat
become effete."
Eighth Of the Name.
John Wingate Weeks Is the eight
of the name In direct descent from ia
Their to son. The senator makes IN
boast OF his ancestry. though. like an,
other man. he is glad to have had cred
liable forebears. His people did no
come over In the Mayhower originally
but they came within a short time oft
er that historic vessel had brough
nearly all the other early settlers o
New England to these shores.
National Parks Now "Dry."
A bill has been introduced to prohibi
liquor In national parks and forest res
ervations. But it is useless. The res
dry territory of the country Is In tn
national parks. Why, the average tray
eler with a flask dare not pull 1t out @
his grip while travelling on a govern
ment reservation In the west
Water Under the Soil.
Senator Works of California told tn
senate that California had a wonderfr
supply Of water under the surfac
which was now being utilized to goo
advantage for irrigation purposes. Ca
ifornia Is somewhat self supporting 1
this matter. She produces the oil {
run the engines which pump the waite