The San Francisco call., 1898-10-09

that the road to government is beset with many dangers.
 But if America withholds her guiding and helpful hand then the Filipinos de- sire to. try the experiment of govern ment for themselves, free from Span ish influence.
 The rule of any other country would also be rejected; and rejected, If need be- by force, for the Filipinos are well aware that European colony usually means European exploitation.
 It seems to me, therefore, that an American protectorate, or annexation, will be the logical outcome of the Situa- tion.
 The value of the archipelago as a commercial center, a strategic base and as a vantage ground for the tre- mendOus trade with Asia, is apparent at a glance With Hawaii and the Philippines in her possession America should fear no competitor.
 And then the islands themselves offer wonderful inducements to the American investor. The mineral wealth of the colony is fabulous 1t is a tropical Klondike. Fortunes also awaits him who will put enterprise and a working capital into sugar, tobacco, coffee, hemp and lumber industries. With the most primitive machinery even many of the uncultivated and oppressed natives have been able to reap great wealth.
 
 sure methods have often made enor- nous fortunes. The agricultural re- sources of the islands are manifold and truly splendid, and American en- terprise should make the most of them. Not more than one sixth of the land is now under cultivation. There Is no reason why Luzon should not be an- other Java, why Mindanao should not become a second Ceylon. This is Amer ica's opportunity and ours.
 True, many problems ask for sOlu- tion It will take diplomatic manipu- latiOn to reconcile the race differences among my countrymen. But il can be done.
 On account of the great number of islands and the multitude of races- between whom there Is a strong feel ing of jealousy-I am afraid that a native republic at present would end in failure. But give us Philippine protectoTate and 8 congress at Manila, to which representatives from every race and from every province can be Sent-so that every Filipino will have his own presentatiYe-and this prob lem will be on the way to a proper solution. Let Americans control the archipelago, and within twenty-five years thousands of investors will flock to the colony, a network of rail- ways will be spread over the principal islands, and new ports will be opened.
  ness of the colony will be greatly aug mented, and it's trade with the outside world will be increased tenfold. At the same time the natives themselves will have learned self-reliance and self f-government-the first and truest lessons of civilization. In addition thereto they will be contented, free and happy, while their American pro- tectors will have been repaid a thou sand fold for the expense and trouble Of their occupation.
 It is Americas duty, therefore, as we'll as her opportunity. My country men need a helping hand in this new path that they have chosen. Will Brother Jonathan help us? or will he stand by while our ancient enemy again despoils us?
 When the United States shall assume control over the group-and have shown, I think, that no other solution of the question is possible, and when she shall have instituted the various reforms mentioned above, she will find