The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-25
need A STRONG LESSON.
Prof. s. Il. Knapp Thinks the FiIfpinos
Should De Severely Whipped.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24-Prof S.. A.
Knapp, special commissioner of the De-
partmcnt of Agriculture to inspect the seed
and plant resources of the Orient and make
a report on the opportunities for introduce
ing our agriculture, has returned to Wash
ington. Throughout his trip he was in con-
ference with leading officials of China and
Japan, and had exceptional opportunities
for observing actual conditions in both
countries and also in the Philippines, where
he continued his investigations. He says
that while in Manila plans were then under
way for looting tle city. reports coming in
daily that the Filipinos were about to at
tack IT. He says the general sentiment,
both at Manila and Hong-Kong, IS that
Aguinaldo is a much cverestimatcd leader,
that he is not of the highest order of even
the Fflipinos, and that he would sell out
his cause for any satisfactory price. In the
best circles Of Mania, Professor Knapp
says, it is held that A%guinaldo would be
easy to deal with but for the fact that his
party had a firm hold on him and that he
could not get away from its influence.
Aguinaldo. he added, is not credited even
with the ability of framing the manifestos
he issues, and Professor Knapp says it
is openly known that they are written by
a clever Filipino lawyer, Who, until recent
ly. lived in Manila.
The great masses of the islanders" Pro-
fessor Knapp explained, "are very ignor-
ant, and the very few who are intelligent
have been thoroughly trained by the sew
eral hundred years of Spanish regime and
are adopts at falsehood. The Filipinos at
Manila told me hat had the United States
gone ahead at once on taking the city,
there would nave been little trouble, but
that the people interpreted the absence of
vigorous action to mean that the United
States was afraid of them. The natives
have ben held under severe repression for
so many years that they need a strong les
son, and then they will begin to understand
the situation. Until then any conciliatory
offer would be regarded by them as an act
of cowardice on our part. according to the
understanding there. The Spanish soldiers
are very friendly. and have warned our
people that the natives cannot be trusted
over night, and that they would assassin
ate the Americans at the first opportunity"
Professor Knapp contradicts the general
impression that the archipelago has a popu-
lation in the neighborhOod of ten million
people. but says the Dominican fathers,
than whom none could be better posted,
say that four million would be a large esti-
mate of population. The settled islands are
rot. he saws. as densely populated as New
York State. and twO-thirdS OF their area
are government lands.
Discussing his mission, Professor Knapp
said that, as to the Chinese trade, the only
question is whether we want our share of
it. as leading Chinese officials admitted to
him that reform is impossible and q for
eign protectorate inevitable. and added that
opportunities for introducing American
flour, butter and cheese will be good in
japan, and in China when opened up to
trade.