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Show The Philippines. The future disposition or the Philippines Philip-pines Isof moie than oidinary Interest, Inasmuch as It is likely to bo. one of the campaign Issues next fall. Tho DeinOciatsiefti.se to believe that the Islands will bo lcstored to their rightful right-ful owners, and Insist that only iin-pnliillstlc iin-pnliillstlc desires would cause this couutiy to contlnuo to govern against the consent of the governed. Tho following from Collier's may be considered con-sidered tellable. It certainly Isa fair, honest and conservative statement: That Japanese influence will some day dominate tho Philippines is one of tlie opinions expressed by Mr. Root .since ills resignation. The Filipinos are In lime to be independent, like the Cubans. Their civilization will piobably bo Asiatic, and Japan will be their model. If Mr. Root can make such a prophecy today, he naturally would do so with even greater emphasis em-phasis if Japan, by defeating Russia, wero to become the predominant Oriental Or-iental power. Mr. Root is far from tho foolish consistency of tho pedantic mind. Could he have foreseen tho long struggle for ratification and the warthatlollowed, howould.bo thinks, have said, "Don't tako the Philip-pines." Philip-pines." Yet ho behoves our occupancy occu-pancy has been good for the natives and good for us. It has tested our character, proved our ability In government, gov-ernment, and taught us self-restraint. It has hastened tho development of tho Filipinos, of whom Mr. Hoot's opinion Is favorable. They aro harder to govern but easier to develop than the Porto Ricans, and ho makes no such pessimistic assertion about them as he docs about tho Cubans, who. ho says, will probably deteriorate. Public opinion In this country is much readier to let the 1'hlllpplne.s go than it was when Mr. Taft arrived In Manila. The question has lost Its partisan heat and wo now follow tho ladofwlsc men who know tho situation. Successful civil government and the desire to be Independent will be enough to secure independence. The outcome of war between Russia and Japan has tho most direct tearing upon the future of these Islands. If It turns out that Japan is to bo the leader in Asiatic progiess. the time when tho Philippines Philip-pines will be ready forseparation from the United States may well be brought appreciably nearer." |