The times., 1899-03-01
WEDNESDAY. MARCH l, 1899.
Colonial Government.

recent magazine article Dy James
Bryce, on British Experience in the
Government of Colonies will prove
of considerable interest to the Amer
ican reading public at this time.
Unquestionsbly, the most absorbing
question before the public at pres
ent is that Of the government of the
philippines. We have never governed
subropical colony; the English have; and
it must, therefore. be of Importance TO us
to see how they have done it, what has
caused their success, and how they have
made their failures.
Two points in Mr.. Bryce's article are
particularly worthy of attention. One is.
that the civil service must be in great
measure kept apart from British party
politics. The other is. that in the govern
ment of colonies the adventurous specu-
lator must be kept under surveillance.
These two points cannot possibly be made
too conspicuous. II We do not keep our
colonial civil service out of politics. and
discourage INSCRIPTIONS adventurers, we
shall be taught by experience that we
ought TO have done so. and the lesson will
cost us heavily in honor, money, and hu-
man life. One other point made by this
author is that II is advisable in undertake
ing the government of a new country to
make reforms somewhat slowly, leaving at
first a considerable measure of power in
the hands Of native chiefs, and interfer-
ing as little as possible with Spanish and
Filipino customs which are harmless and
deeply rooted. This, also, we must do If
we want TO save ourselves trouble and
effect the best results; but the danger
from disregarding this rule is not quite
as great as in the case of the other two.
UnS-ise interference with the customs OF
the people is likely to have such fmmedi-
ate and unpleasant results, and there is
on the whole so little reason for it, that
it is not probable that much of it will
take place. But the other two mistakes
must be avoided at all hazards, and in
the present state Of the government there
is considerable danger from both causes.
We have just had forcible illustration
Of the consequences of mixing politics
with military affairs, and of the deter
mination which certain high officials Of
the Government seem to have formed il
Il
Of unpunished insubordination as that O
Eagan, and incompetence so widespread a!
that Of the hospital service in the volun.
teer army, are before the eyes OF the pee,
pie. il should be unnecessary TO say very
much about the danger OF administering
the affairs Of the Philippines on the same
plan. II We are TO have Algerism at its
worst impressed upon their government
while our policy is yet in its forrnativ,
stage. We may well resign ourselve.
10 continual colonial wars, blunders, mis-.
management, and national disgrace for tn
next hundred years. A few hundred in
competent officials can do more harm il
The Philippines in the next ten years thai
thousand earnest, able, and devoted mel
can undo in century. II we are to ed
ucate the Filipinos. in the name of mercy
justice, and public honor let us not ed
ucate them 10 be like Alger.
The other point Of danger is one whicl
is closely connected with the first, anr
grows out Of the same conditions.
reckless and INSCRIPTIONS spectators ar,
allowed 10 have free access 10 the IicI
but undeveioped resources OF the Philip
pines, there VIII not only be trouble wild
the natives. who will be imposed on in .
hundred different ways, and will be re
duced TO the condition of skuIking saw,
ages. ready to take revenge for thei
wrongs by fire and murder and outrage
but a crop Of rich rascals will spring vi
In these distant islands, to interfere, II
course OF time, with the workings of th
Government at home. We did not TAX
the Philippines to furnish happy huntinJ
ground Tor men OF the Armour Hanna an,
Quay school of politics. The removal o
the cancer OF military corruption will ten,
10 check this evil also, for commercial
gamblers always seek to ally themselye
with the ruling power. whatever tha
may be, and If the ruling power is incor
ruptibie. some Of their noxious scheme
are perforce nipped in the bud. The edu
cation of the Filipino, under this type O
teacher. will be of the kind which End
in the death of the pupil
Finally. It may be remarked that mos
of our troubles with the Indian and tn
negro have come from precisely thes
causes. II the inordinate ambition of Ger
tain military men and the rapacity of Ger
tain spectators had been checked, half ou
race problems would never have appeare
at all. In the West, the Indian has bee
crowded of his reservation by white me
who wanted 1t, and too often melted TO re
sistance by general who wanted TO max