Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-08-26
CARRYING THE BURDEN.

the Philippine bill, Manuel Queson,
delegate to Congress from the islands,
is reported to have said that this
decisive step toward complete eman-
cipation" is "of greater Importance
to the Philippine people than any
thing that has happened in $50 years
of the history Of that nation" 1t
is interesting to inquire into the fea-
lures of bill which seems to be so
welcome to those whom it most con.
Germs.
Under the new law the senate, as
well as the legislative assembly of the
islands, becomes elective, and there
is an end of the governors council,
a remnant of the original Philippine
commission. Fully 100000 voters are
added to an electorate now consist
ing of only 100000. The Filipinos
will now make their own laws, super.
visng oversight from Washington be.
ing confined to the currency, immi-
grafton and the tariff. The American
encouragement will remain, retain
ing the veto power, but the new legis-
lation appears to restrict his right of
interference, as we'll as that Of Con-
gress. OF course, it is still incumbent
upon the United States to employ its
military forces to protect the Filipi-
nos from foreign enemies. AS very
large proportion of the islanders still
live under tribal conditions and many
are still in state of savagery, the
100000 voters doubtless include all
who could cast ballot with any I'M
derstanding of what they were doing.
No wonder Manuel Queson vel.
comes law which gives his people
almost complete liberty. (if not nom.
inal INDEPENDENCE, while still pro.
tecting with the military power of the
United States. It is probable that
many intelligent Filipinos will even
prefer this to complete independence,
fearing that in the latter case the
protection Of the United States would
be withdrawn or become uncertain.
In the possession of our official prom.
Use of complete independence as soon
as a stable government has been es-
tablished, why should intelligent
Filipinos be troubled, now that they
are to have practically all the advan-
tages of independent government
while free of the burden of maintain.
Ing an army or navy for their own
protection? Considering the history
of past conditions in the islands,
surely the civilized Filipinos must
now regard themselves as a fortunate
people.
But, in the language of the business
world, where does the United States
come in? From the first we have
carried political burden and a great
expense without material profit, and
the same condition of affairs will con-
tinue with but slight modification un.
der the new law. 1t is true that we
have coaling station and base of
military operations in that part of
the Pacific, but the purchase or re.
tention of one small island could
have secured all this without incur
ring present responsibilities. There
would be much more material profit
for us in an entirely independent
Filipino republic that relieved US of
all solicitous care. What satisfac-
ton have we further than that of the
practice of altruism? It is noble to
deal generously with a helpless peo-
pie, and it may be that in this in
stance we should exhibit cheerful
willingness to pay a heavy bill of
costs with no material profit. But at
the same time it is we'll to keep the
facts in mind and know just where we
stand.