The Morning News

MR. SCHURMAN'S SUGGESTION.

Mr. Schurman, the president of the peace commission which the President sent to the Philippines, said some things in the interview which he gave to the Associated Press the other day that are exciting considerable comment. One of them was the following:

"In my opinion, much good would be done by a declaration on the part of Congress of the form of government to be re-established in the Philippine Islands, or, better still, let Congress establish a government for the Philippine Islands, and have it out in force in all parts and among all tribes hostile to the United States. This would serve several purposes. It would distinguish between our friends and our enemies, and treat the former according to their deserts. It would also give to our enemies an ocular demonstration of free government on the American plan, a very important point when it is remembered that the Tagalogs claim to be fighting for their liberty."

It is fair to assume that Mr. Schurman would not have made the foregoing suggestions if he had not got impressions from his conversations with leading Filipinos that if our government would indicate clearly the kind of government it intended to establish in the Philippines, they would give it the thoughtful consideration it deserved, and that if they found nothing objectionable in it they might advise its acceptance. He does not, of course, think that Aguinaldo and those who are in his confidence and are actively supporting him would accept it. They will not accept any terms from us until they have to. But there are thousands of educated and influential Filipinos who are anxious for peace, and who would rather have American rule than the rule of Aguinaldo, or any other native if they were sure it would be just and liberal.

We have never yet made an official statement as to the kind of rule that would be established in the Philippines. The Filipinos have no means of knowing whether our rule would be an improvement on that of Spain or not. They have only the President's promise that they shall have control practically of their own local affairs, but how do they know that he would keep his promise? The Spaniard made them many promises, few of which were kept. May it not be that they have no confidence in our promises—that they believe that as soon as we obtained full possession of the islands we would deal with them pretty much as the Spaniards did?

The fact must not be overlooked that they have not been accustomed to deal with people as positive and aggressive as we are. Our manner in dealing with them may not have been such as to inspire them with confidence in our professions of friendship. Assuming that such is the case, would it not be advisable for Congress to take notice of the suggestion of Mr. Schurman? If it should make a declaration of this country's policy in respect to the Philippines, and should establish in Luzon and in other islands the form of government it intends the Philippines shall have, is it not probable that we should have less trouble in arriving at an understanding with the Filipinos? Clearly Mr. Schurman thinks so, and as he has made a pretty thorough study of the Philippine situation his opinion is worth something.

It is true that through the peace commission the Filipinos were offered autonomy, but it is doubtful if the offer was regarded as being anywhere near as important as a declaration by Congress along the same line would be. It is hardly probable, of course, that Congress will be called together for the purpose of making such a declaration, but if no progress should be made towards ending the war by the time Congress meets in regular session, Mr. Schurman's suggestion ought to be given very thoughtful consideration.