The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-18
THE INHABITANTS
OF PHILIPPINES.
Ignorance and Superstition lngrained
for Two Centuries.
THE PRIESTS ARE PATRIOTIC.
irU. 5. Troops Are Sent 10 Occupy the
Islands a Catholic Church Digni-
tary should Accompany Them.
Increased Exports from u. =.

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN April 10. by
Steamship City Of Picking, via San Fran
co.-(Correspondence of The Times.)-
It Is all very well to talk OF the recog-
milton Of the Cuban Republic. but such
a government in Cuba or in the Philip
pine Islands would be nothing less than
a monstrosity. A republican form OF
government founded upon ignorance and
bigotry cannot exist. The origin Of the
great republic lay in earnest, sober, men
TO whom schoolhouse and church were
vital necessities. / have never been in
Cuba, but have been I'm the Philippines
and IN those spots where external ciyil-
cation has been grated by contact with
the lords of the soil. gross ignorance and
superstition have been ingrained for two
centuries and more. The self government
essential to participation in the govern
mont Of the commonwealth. IS an idea
OF which no conception exists For more
than two centuries. the natives of these
islands, that is. such as have come in
contact with their Spanish masters, have
been hold I'm AFFECT bondage and 10 trust
savages and semi-savages OK which the
great majority is composed with the right
Of suffrage, would produce chaos and
bloodshed and turn an earthly paradise
into hades.
The latest kilograms indicate the GER
tainty of war unless the Dons back down
and any one acquainted with Spanish
arrogance cannot foster such hope Pre-
suming that the United States Squadron
now at Hong Kong. moves against the
Philippines there BIS no question what
ever that the Islands are az the mercy
OF Commodore Dewey. The Spanish
feet may show fight but the Dons. al
though personally brave enough, are no
seamen and their vessels are not up 10
date. The feet Is a negligible guam
THY. but a question vastly more serious.
is the occupation Of Manila and the ISL
ands II is certain that Commodore
Dewev's force is too small to effect any
thing By land. and a large force IS neces-
sary 10 maintain order. Among the intel
llgcnt part OF the population tho end OF
Spanish rule will be welcomed, but II
would be gross fattery 10 call one per
cent. Of the people intelligent IL must
be remembered and / would like 10 draw
the attention OF the United States gov
eminent TO this fact. that the most pa
triotic inhabitants Of the Philippines are
he priess whose influence among the In
dos is extraordinary and who look upon
Americans and English as hereticos. that
is with adherence. 10 would be well,
If troops are sent 10 occupy Manila. 20
induce "A Catholic Church dgnltary, an
archbishop for instance. 20 accompany
them. II such precauion Is taken IL
will save many a poor fellow from a
stab I'm the back for midnight assassina-
ton IS not uncommon and heretics are
beyond the pale OF law 4 high author
ity Of the Church would command the re-
spect OF the priests and prevent ill-feel-
ing.
OUR TRADE WITH THE ORIENT.
The consular reports will prove that
the reports from the United States 10
China and japan have trebled or quad
rupled within the last few years. Here
Us one instance: The Northern Pacific
steamship Company has contracted 10
carry eight thousand tons of steel rails
from Tacoma 10 Japan. and, as the regu-
lar boats have all the freight they can
carry the company viii engage two
more boats 20 carry the rails. Six steam
ship lines run now between the Pacific
coast and China via Japan, and new
one will shortly put on three fast steam
ers with San Francisco as terminus on
the other side. Raw cotton is stored
Hf'Hr+ft
there is no room on the steamers. Ma
chncry OF all kinds. especially for manu-
featuring purposes is always I'm demand,
and good prices prevail The market Of
MANUFACTURED articles is also growing
witness the Consular reports. The I'm
mense population Of China, rudely dis
turbed I'm its apathetic existence. IS only
Just beginning 10 feel the throb Of human
progress. and our commerce vast as are
the proportions 70 is assuming Is only
I'm IT'S infancy The interests involved in
it's expansion. demand adequate protec-
ton, and the Philippine Islands under
the flag OF progressive America VIII
prove an impetus so enormous that the
results cannot be forcseen.
The coming conflict will have other re-
suits. almost OF equal importance. The
recent assaults upon American sailors
in japan have demonstrated how scant
respect was paid 10 the flag. Let Com
modore Dewey wipe out the Spaniards,
and American sailors Will be as safe IN
Japan as there are on board their yes
sells. More than that: American citizens
hitherto treated with arrogance, VIII
share I'm the respect with which their
flag rs regarded. Petty annoyances viii
cease. for IL IS the strong who inspires re-
suect. and Japan viii think twice before
n gives cause of complaint 10 a nation
willing TO 90 TO war Tor humanity's
sake.
The latest telegram states That Con-
gress has authorized the President TO use
force I'm making Spain Withdraw from
cuba. This means war, ana tho fact
proves Of importance enough 70 arrest
tho disintegration ~ China. Tho adj
vent Of The United states with its enor-
nous resources. n Power 20 strong as 10
ne unaware 81 its own force. 10 take
an active part I'm international decisions
is A factor 10 be recognized Under the
circumstances. and until after the first
battle Is fought, neither Russia, France
nor Germany will dare pursue their poll
cv OF aggression The war between
the United States and Spain has placed
an effective barrier 10 the execution or
predatory schemes. for the question Of
paramount importance Is now: What VIII
Uncle Sam do next
ALLIANCE WITH ENGLAND.
7 wish that 7 could give a faint Idea
OF the trepidatyon caused by the appre-
hension OF n mutual understanding be-
tween the United states and England.
There Is not an American citizen In the
Far Fast who does not hope that this
NAV be one result Of the war, as there
Is not an Engllshman whose sympathies
arc not with the great republic. Such an
alliance would mean neither more nor
less than the virtual supremacy OF the
Angto-Saxon family. The two nations