Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1916-04-20
SENATOR BoRAH ON THE PHILIPPINES.

SENATOR BoRAH ON THE PHILIPPINES.
Senator Borah in a letter to a southern Idaho man states
flatly that he is opposed to holding the PHILIPPINES and of these
people becoming citizens of the United States.
His reasons are: That he was always opposed TO the tax
ing of the islands; opposition to our country having any sub
jects or dependents; on the ground that Filipinos should never
participate as full citizens of the United States to determine
our policies and affairs; change in policy under the present ad
ministration as affects the Filipinos; by reason that an expendi
ture of $500,OOO,000 already by the United States with no per
manent, lasting good or return in view.
And of his reasons, the following is very suggestive and
reasonable:
of you say that we ought to enter upon the bust
ness as missionary and rehabiitate mankind [ might
agree with you but want to begin my work at home.
While we were discussing the proposition of appro-
priating 500, 10000 to teach the Filipinos the English
language it seemed to be forgotten that in the grand
old commonwealth of Massachusetts that were II diff
ferent languages spoken and in which a large proper.
ton of the population has seldom heard the English
tongue. Furthermore, so long as we have the race
question at home, such conditions as prevailed in
Colorado and West Virginia and such conditions as
prevail in the congested centers Of our great cities, we
have more work-more missionary WORKMAN it is
possible for us to do within any reasonable number of
years. Whatever may be supposed to be our duty
toward the Filipino, our first duty is to take care Of
our own people and those who are actually a part of
our civilization and who are to participate in the max
ing of our laws and the building Of our Institutions
He also points out that as a commercial proposition, the
islands would be as valuable when independent as now, and
even if this were not true, the senator argues, the commercial
advantage gained is too expensive. Again he reminds that
territory 1000 miles away from our mainland in times of great
WOIlu StIeSS 10 HOl IITdcJN III 1Qed advanced ndJ no DeO-
pile, "Anglo-saxon'' or otherwise, have ever established rep
resentatve or free government under conditions which main
tain as to conditions of climate and racial characteristics pre-
vailing in the PHILIPPINES.
And lastly the senator says:
"Furthermore, | am more and more convinced
that we ought to stay at home, attend to our own bust
ness, make happy and prosperous if possible our own
people, protect our own citizenship and build up here
a truly genuine Anglo-Saxon civilization. We have
all the territory we need and here upon this contiguous
continent with no more than the islands adjacent which
may be necessary as naval bases for the protection of
the mainland we ought to stay and work out our own
destiny. very much fear that while we are looking
after the Fiipinos and concerning ourselves with af-
fairs thousands of miles away, we are sadly neglect
ing matters OF Importance, vital and imminent, here at
home.''
CLEAN few arguments that will overcome those presented. Per
haps the only one that could be advanced would be the foolish
ness of throwing the Filipinos overheard after the Republican
party had launched the nation or an imperialistic career of so
flat an ending.
Very striking however is the statement of Mr.. Borah.
l am more and more convinced that we ought to stay at home
attend to our own business, make happy and prosperous if pos
sloie our own people, protect our citizenship and build up here
a truly genuine Anglo Saxon civilization But the rabid.
blood mad jingoist and the capitalist who ventures into other
and makes grabs of wealth, as in Mexico, would have
us step INTO Mexico and quiet title to their prize.
Inc United States should go into Mexico and restore order
ana having done 50 shiuld restore to these self same capitals
tic interests, the Randolph Hearsts and Rockefellers, what
consideration they paid for their prize grabs and hand
over the balance to the Mexican people as ~rightfully belonging
To them. The hope is impossible in realization.
May Senator Borah still continue to support the views he
has advanced and may he apply them in matter closer at home
but similar IN the difficultness of solution.
WONDERFUL IN DVANTAG TO THE WEST.