Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-08-24

Outline of Report He Will Make to
President Mckinley.

Chicago, August 22.-Commissioner
Jacob Gould Schurman, who will make
a report to President Mckinley on the
conditions in the Philippine islands,
passed through Chicago yesterday ON
his way to Ithaca, n. Y, to meet the
president. While Prof Schurman
would not discuss the war nor say
what are the conclusions he has
reached, still he talked fully and freely
on subjects which are outside and yet
a part of his mission. On these points
the following is a summary of his
views:
The rebellion is not a Philippine re-
bellion. 1t is Tagalog rebellion.
The rebellion does not even embrace
all the islands Of Luzcn.
The F'ilipinos are a desirable sort Of
people.
The Filipinos will, when peace is re-
stored, yield to the elevating and soft
ening influences of education.
No more than 100000 of the 9,OOO,-
900 people Of the Philippines are in re-
volt.
uG D6OpIS Vi Tic UIS NtSIOS lSlduu
are friendly.
All Of the other people of the entire
Philippine group Of 500 islands, with
the exception Of the Tagalogs, who
comprise one-half of the natives Of
Luzon, are neutral. The natives of the
other islands who are nominally in re-
volt, are in fact only terrorized and
coerced by the Tagalogs.
Two generations in education in the
Philippines will bring the people Of
those islands to state of advancement
that will equal in most essentials that
of the japanese
The Sulu group, comprising the
southern third of the Philippine group
of islands, is at peace and will remain
so. The sultan of Sulu has accepted
the situation, only asking favor at
the hands of the United States.
The difficulties in the Philippines
are, therefore, not difficult to over
come. The retention Of these islands
is a thing to be desired by the people
Of the United States.
AS to the outlook for trade in the
Philippines this may be taken as the
result of Investigations: The people
Of the Philippines will be consumers of
American products, not only in this de-
cade, but in generations to come. They
will constitute the only people, prac-
tically, in the orient who will be large
buyers Of either Europe or America,
eventually. The opportunity for in
vestment in these islands is good
Mindanao, which is as large as Luzon,
is an unclaimed paradise for investors
and spectators. The climate of Min
danao and the southern islands Of the
great group is cool and pleasant. For
reasons Of commerce, and because of
the opportunities Of investment, the
Philippine islands should remain as
they area part of the United States"
1.-THE Filipinos are like children, in
that they are incapable of approaching
facts said Mr.. Schurman. They are
swayed by their maginations, and so
easily Influenced by their leaders that
they believe the most astounding lies
concerning the United States. They
are so ignorant of the real state of af-
fairs around Manila that they believe
Aguinaldo has won a number of i'm
portant victories. They have been told
by their leaders-and they accept their
statements Observation-Disclosures 5000
American soldiers have been captured
and that number Of Dewey's war
vessels have been destroyed"
Mr.. Schurman cited the above to give