The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-11-11


United States has, for
all practical purposes, been an
swered il the affirmative by vote
of the people and soon, we
predict, will receive the expressed
sanction of congress through a reso-
luton upholding the presidents recon-
mendation, public discussion is likely
to progress to the consideration of how
this new and unfamiliar trust shall be
administered after the suppression of
Aguinaldo's rebellion. The preliminary
report of the Philippine commission
did not concern itself with that phase
of the Philippine problem save in very
formed, treat of it in detail at later
time.
AS tending to shed light upon this
subject, the issue of Harpers Weekly
for this week contains an interview
with Brigader General Funston which
presents the merit Of being unGeniably
candid 1T is foolish" says he, ito
talk of giving the I'ilipinos self-gov-
ernment after we have whipped them.
They are not a homogeneous people
but a collection of tribes, differing in
race, religion, and language. They
are children so far as any familiarity
with independent government is con-
cerned. My knowledge of Spanish per-
mitted me to get at first hand the
opinions of some of Aguinaldo's chief
lieutenants and Of other men who are
regarded as leaders of the natives. None
of these men had any well-deflned
ideas in regard to the government that
they desired to set up. They We're
united on one thing only-to expel the
friars and seize their property for the
revenue it would bring in. But they
apparently had not considered the cur
rency, tariff, revenue, or any other
problems Of practical government. Ny
opinion Is that we should have a gov
ernor with practically autocratic pow
crs, and he should be a man, like
Leonard Wood in Cuba, Of great ad-
ministrative ability, and absolutely
honest. He should have a salary OF al
least $4,000 a year, and he should APP
way will we get good results. II the
political hangers-on who have a pull
are allowed TO go out in subordinate Il
capacities, we may expect scandals
that win be national disgrace. / dc
not believe we lack good, honest ad.
ministratOrs, but the old system Of ap,
pointments must be radically changed
and the man in charge must be made
personally responsible for those under
him. In this way, and with a stronl
military force TO compel obedience a
the start, the country may be wei
governed. II may be advisable TO per
init the Filipinos some Representative,
body, but to give them independen
government is impossible, as they hav,
simply caught up crude ideas of popu
lar government, but have had neithe
the training nor the opportunity to as
simulate these ideas"
II is possible that General Funstol
underestimates the ability of the bet
ter educated Filipinos to assimilat
readily under proper instruction tn
American ideas of government; an
that, therefore, he overemphasizes tn
need OF display OF force in norma
times. This is a matter for the expert
10 decide in the light OF experience. Tn
Philippine commission will not fail t
approach from all sides the task G
suggesting a method OF government
so that its recommendations, whe
once formulated, may be accepted con
fidently. But the problem Of keepin
the "politis"I haugers.on," as Genera