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Show COST OF THE PHILIPPINES. Every time the clock has ticked since May 1, 1S98, the Philippine islands have cost the United States J1.34. Every time the second hand on your watch has completed its ceaseless circuit, cir-cuit, the expenditure has been $80.81. Every hour since Admiral George Dewey sunk the Spanish fleet in Manila Ma-nila harbor, ?4.84S.9S in American money has been spent to hold the Philippine archipelago. Every day has involved an outlay of $116,375.66. The total cost of the islands, since May 1, 189S, and up to May 1, W02, exclusive ex-clusive of the purchase price of $20,000,-000, $20,000,-000, which was paid to Spain, has been $170,326,587. And, be it always remembered, the outlay of money is the most insignificant insignifi-cant feature of American control of the Philippines, Of the lives sacrificed by bullets and through disease, Secretary Root takes no account in the report recently re-cently submitted to the senate.' The tortures inflicted on Filipino prisoners by "Hell-Roaring Jake" Smfth and his kind are not mentioned. The fearful example set by the American troops to the people this nation is trying to "as-simi'.ate" "as-simi'.ate" has no part in the report. Secretary Root attempts to comfort the people by the statement that future fu-ture expenses in the Philippines will be materially reduced from the standards of the past. It ia certainly to be hoped that the assertion will prove true, both as regards money, men and example. Full of optimism as the average American Ameri-can citizen is. however, he will be pardoned par-doned for at least doubting the accuracy accu-racy of the secretary's estimate. For the sake of the nation, it is to be hoped that he speaks with the spirit of true prophecy. This country can-hot can-hot afford to continue sacrificing men and dollars as it has sacrificed them in the past If some great end yrere to be achieved, the people might look on and say "Amen"; but there is to be no end for the Philippines other than that of an imperial colony if Republican policies arc carried out. |
