Evening star., 1898-10-08

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Ramon Reyes La1a.
slow but sure methods have often made
enormous fortunes. The agricultural re-
sources of the islands are manifold and
truly splendid and American enterprise
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 another Java, why MinGarao
should not become a second Ceylon. This
is Americas opportunity and ours.
Native Republic Would Fail.
True, many problems ask for solution.
1t will take diplomatic manipulation to
reconcile the race differences among my
countrymen. But 1t can be done
On account of the great number of ISL
ands and the multitude of races-between
whom there is a strong feeling of jealousy
I am afraid that native republic at pres
ent would end in failure. But give Us a
Philippine prOtectorate and n congress at
Manila, to which representatives from every
| race and from every province can be sent
so that every Filipino will have his own
representative-and this problem will be
on the way to = proper solution. Let Amer
leans control the archipelago. and within
twenty-five years thousands of investors
will flock to the colony, a network of rail-
ands, and new ports will be opened. The
result will be that the productivaness of
the colony Will be greatly augmented. and
Its trade with the outside world will be
increased ten fold. At the same time the
natives themselves will have learned self
reliance and self -gOvernment-the first and
trCest lessons of civilization. In addition
thereto they will be contented. free and
happy, while their American protectors will
have been repaid a thousand fold for the
expense and trouble of their occupation.
1t is Americas duty, therefore, as well as
her opportunity. My countrymen need a
helping hand in this new path that they
have chosen. VIII 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 l have shown
think, that no other solution of the ques-
ton is possible. and when she shall have
Instituted the various reforms mentioned
above, she will find hearty cooperation
on the part of my countrymen-who Will as
a rule be found docile and obedient.
1t will, however, greatly slmplify matters
if some one with tact and firmness is ap-
pointed governor of the colony for there
are many petty jealousies to be overcome
many things to be avoided.
No Standing Army Needed.
Furthermore 1t is not to be expected that
my countrymen will accept at once an occi-
dental civilization and western self-assert-
tveness In its entirety. Such acceptance
must be gradual, and will be a work of
many years; but if Americansm-modified
by the native character and by the COM
pick conditions of the east-fourish there
after being carefully nurtured for a CEN
tury, the United States will have accom-
plished a great work for the good of the
world
l have already spoken of the material
benefits to be derived from American con-
troll, and yet have heard it asserted that
it will require standing army of % 900
Americans to keep the natives from muir
dering each other, and that this will entail
an expense which will neutralize the COM
mercial profits of the Americans.
This can in no event be true. Such an
army may be necessary for year; out the
natives themselves will eventually form the
guard for civil protection and for defense
against foreign aggression, and such army
can be supported entirely by home taxation
Nor need such tax be onerous. With an
efficient ana economic administration the
colony should be self-supporting in five
years after the Americans assume entire
control. Even under the inefficient, corrupt
and disastrous SpanisL regime before the
recent revolution had made large army
necessary the colony was administered
with but little aid from the home govern
ment.
A Form of Government.
1 would suggest that the American gov
ernment appoint an administrative ad:
posed of a native from every civil province,
who is conVersant with the conditions there.
Let the provincial governors for the
present also be AmericanS-not politicians,
but jurists of ability and renown, for the
office combines judicial as well as execu-
tive functions. and much revision and ap
plication of law will be found necessary,
should the office of provincial governor, as
well as that Of representative to the con-
ha do oil tit-n hon fhn tty-ac,
shall possess the franchise which / be-
leve, should be based upon both an educa-
uonal and property qualification. The mi
nor offices should all be filled by natives.
BY this system the skeleton Of the pres
ent government would be maintained and
there would be no violent changes. A dem
ocratic despotism-if such paradox is per-
missible-is what the colony needs before
It can be made ready for all the functions
of true democratic government.
The church should be left alone, where
it does not interfere with the functions of
government. l have heard that consider
of the American Protestant churches, who
are getting ready for Christian propa-
ganda" among the heather Filipinos."
Status of Religion.
This activity, think. is entirely uncali-
ed for. We are, and profess to be- Chris
tians, and it is just as necessary and as
logical for American Protestants to Chris
tianize American Catholics as the Catholics
of the Philippines. Indeed. it is my be-
lief that Catholicism with it's ritualism and
gorgeous ceremonial is more suited to the
character of the natives than the colder
forms Of Protestant belief, which have
never flourished In oriental soil.
The friars should be expelled, for they
are religious corporations that have no
soul and that are unasSailable and ire
sponsible, but the church, With its excel
lent system of parish spiritual government
and its gentle refining influence on the ma
tive character, should be maintained invio-
late, though the separation between church
and state should be made complete.
1 will conclude by saying a few words
about my countrymen. We have had, as
all the world knows, but few opportunities,