Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-08-08
FUTURE OF THE PHILIPPINES.

That portion Of the Philippine government
which thinks about matters Of government at all is
those who desire the maintenance Of the American.
connection, with such developments as may natur-
ally grow out of it as progress is made. Second,
there is the element which advocates Independence,
with or without some form of American protecto-
rate. Then there is another group which advocates
frankly the absorption Of the territory by Japan,
and the building Of a strong and distinctively Asiat-
lie power along the western shores of the Pacific.
Lastly, there is an element which desires, probably
without much hope, a resumption Of control Of the
territory by Spain.
According to the doctrineef self-determination
which is advocated strenuously in several quarters,
every people has a right to govern itself in its own
way. free from interference by any other people. Ac-
|cording to that doctrine, the people Of the Philip
have a right to determine their own future.
The United States is committing an act Of oppres-
sion every day that it asserts its sovereignty over
those islands. Historically, geographically and ra-
the people Of those islands are separate and
distinct from Americans. Therefore, we should
Withdraw, and bid them godspeed and farewell.
Naturally, If the Filipinos have an absolute
fright to determine their own form Of government,
unaffected by any opinion, sentiment Or interest of
ours, they have a right to go where they please. The
restoration OF the Spanish regime may be forgotten.
Those who. desire it constitute a small remnant, liv-
ing IN the memories of a past generation, and they
can never be very numerous. 1t is not likely that
Spain herself would accept the archipelago as a gift,
las she, has problems enough nearer home.
The japanese possibly, however, is not to be
dismissed 50 lightly. Japan is eager for territorial
expansion and for extension Of her power and in
fffluence. She would be delighted to. assilmilate the
Philippines. And If enough of the Filipinos should
become convinced that union with Japan would be
ito their interest, on what theory of right could we
The fact. is that we of the United States do not
accept, any more than any other people, any such
Interpretation Of the doctrine Of Differentiation
consent OF the governed, or whatever else it may be
called. Each nations right of se~lf-determination
runs parallel with its neighbours right of self-preser-
walton. The two cannot be considered apart. There
is an element Of altrusim in our Monroe doctrine,
but that doctrine has its origin il the determination
Iof the United States7to protect its own interests. We
have conceived it to be incompatible with our inter
ests for eastern nations to extend their influence in
America. Therefore we notified the world that we
would not permit this to be done. We recognize
Brazil as an independent nation. But we would not
permit Brazil to. resume her status as a colony of
Portugal, even if the Brazilians should vote for that
change unanimously. We should oppose it on the
simple ground that it would be unsafe for us. From
similar considerations Of national safety, among
Others, we shall insist on the last word III determin-
ing the future Of the Philippines.