New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-21

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: II was fortunate for the Filipinos that
the Clarke amendment to the Jones bill did
not pass.
II was also fortunate for the United States,
because it would have placed us in an en-
barressing position. The scuttle policy Will
never do. Having put our hands to the
plough we cannot now turn back. We cannot
konorably let go these islands till they are
able to stand alone-till their people can
prouerly govern themselves. That time is IN
the far distant future.
We are bound by moral and treaty obllga-
lions to hold on, to guide and protect them
till they are able to protect, guide and gov
ern themselves Indeed, abandonment would
be in bad faith, and would reflect lasting dis
credit upon us as nation. 1t would be sara
that we did not remain in control Tor fear
we would ultimately be driven out by
Japan or some other foreign power; that we
had ignored our obligations, failed to meet
them. or were afraid to try to meet them.
Do the Filipinos want independence? Some
of them do; the great majority really do not
The poIiticos political bosses) desire "inde-
perdcncia" because they want Office and re-
turn to the conditions of the Spanish regime
with the Spaniards eliminated. They have
everything to gain and little to lose.
They have been able to lure the more igno-
rant natives into the belief that independence
means much that it does not mean THESE
natives are led to believe that independence
roeans absolute freedom, unbridled liberty,
the right to do as they please without legal
restraint; while it really means oppression
and slavery for them, worse than under Span
sh sovereignty.
The more ignorant scarcely know what lib
erty under the law is or the necessity for law
and order They don't fully understand the
nceG of any rule of civil conduct.
They act like mere children and can be
easily gulled- led to their own destruc-
ton. And the politicos play upon this credu-
lty and willingness to follow.
have repeatedly told the Filipinos that in
my opinion they would never have independ-
encc. because it would not be given them till
they were capacitated for self-control, self
helm and self-government; till there was COM
mercial and industrial independence; and
vie enough TO see that it was not best for
them, and that possibly they would then be
admitted into the Union. Many of the best
informed would be highly pleased to remain
indefinitely a dependency or with ultimate
statehood in view.
The sensible farmers and successful bust
ness men, who think and act for themselves
and know what is best for them, are per-
fectly satisfied with the status quo, and
would come out boldly and say if they did
not fear the political bosses. They dare not
speak their minds freely for fear that shortly
there would be independence, and then the
pol;ticos would make it hot for them.
But these sensible business men and farm
e.s know that their lives, liberty and prop
erty are much safer under the rule of Uncle
Sam. They don't have to be told that. They
know that government by their own people
would be a failure-would increase the bur
dens of taxation and lessen the protection Of
life, liberty and property. They fully realize
that in the administration of justice there
would be largely miscarriage.
Nearly every sensible business man or
farmer prefers to have his case tried before
all American judge. He knows his rights are
safer if American adjudicates them, and
the intelligent. honest lawyers tell them so.
It is fact ndisputable that the average in
tolligent litigant prefers an American judge.
This brings me to one of the greatest Of
Governor General Harrsons mistakes land
they are numerous). The reorganization Of
the courts in the early part of 1914 was an
egregious blunder. II greatly lessened the
efficiency of the judiciary; and Mr.. HarrisonI