Arizona republican., 1919-06-28
The Philippines


 Whether the Filipinos capable of self-gov- ernment or not is not now the main question. It is an inquiry that ordinarily could be easily answered in the affirmative. The Fflipinos undoubtedly much more intelligent, much more patriotic than the Cubans were twenty years ago. They have much aber leadership than the Cubans have ever had, and probably any time after the tribes had been brought under control they were more capable of self government than the inhabitants of Cuba who at least twice have thrown into doubt whether they were capable of self-government at all. In all probability but for their proximity which guaran- teed them against aggression from without, and the fact that Uncle sam with suspicious eye was always on the alert suppress disorder from within, Cuban self government would have failed.
 Under the guidance of this government the Phil ippines have progressed steadily toward self-rule Men of statesman like size have developed In dustry and education have been placed upon strong foundations that if left alone there is little doubt that the Philippines would get along well without us as with
 There is to be considered the contingency that they may not be left alone. They in hectic part of the world and their neghbors is powerful aggressive and insistent.
 Our responsibility for the Philippines began that May morning when Dewey sailed into Manila Bay, and it has existed since. There has never been when could have divesed ourselves of it. Mir. Bryan and the ant-imperiasts desired to throw it off and leave the Fflipinos to the mercy of savage tribes and the cupidty of territory seeking nations There is little doubt that if the ant-imperiasts could have had their way the islands would have quickly fallen under the domination of the Prussans of the East the Prussans of the West
 It was never the purpose of this government to retain the Philippines. Regret expressed by high government officials after the battle of Manila Bay that Dewey had landed; it thought by many that mistake had been made by the attack upon the antquated Spanish fleet which as was after wards seen could have exerted influence in the war; beyond the possible harassing of American merce in the orient
 But we had destroyed whatever authority there was in the islands and obliged to up new one and exercise it until the Fflpinos should be able to succeed
 Mckinley hoped that he might live to see that succession. He made definite promise of inde- pendence. So has every administration since, but no time could be fixed Three years ago act passed by congress granting independence to the islands, but it really only a reeration of pre- vious promises since it fixed date It is pro- posed to fix that date.
 But the FIlipinos do not want be cast off, left entirely upon their resources They do not want of course, protectorae, but they want to be assured of the protection of the United States. So that becomes the question to be considered now. rather than the act of granting insuar independence
 To pledge that protection would be to increase our responsibility. Complications which might be provoked by a Philippines government, which we could have no control might easily involve us with other nations. There is general impression that we cannot afford to accept this extended re- sponsbfity for circumstances which could not direct.
 We probably could not accept it under the League of Nations for the Philippines left to themselves, along with other small nations would become the charges of the League of Nations, that could act the protection of the islands only under the direction of the league.
 But it may be said that the League of Nations itself would be sufficient guaranty of the islands against aggression. If well and good. We would thus as a nation wash hands of the future of the Philippines and perform whatever duty might be called upon to perform as a league member and not as the former protector of the islands
 France though, has questioned the efficacy of the league and for it's protection has asked for the creation of special league of it. self with Great Britain and the United States Are the fears of France well founded? If what must be the peril of the Philippines, left with no