The times., 1899-04-14
a ynIunbIe Opfnion.

The Archbishop of Manila is a Spaniard
who asserts that he was grossly misrep-
resented in American newspapers. He de-
nies that he said all those unpleasant
things, before Admiral Dewey's work on
the Spanish fleet, ascribed to him by cor
respondents. However that may be, ne is
now very warm personal friend of Cen
eral Otis and of this country. 1t is said
that he has been a mine of infogmation to
the American commander. especially in re-
lation TO plots for the massacre of our
people in Manila, and also he has notified
General Otis of intended attacks on our
lines. On one occasion. it is reported, he
suggested that the forces on the outposts
should be doubled and his advice was
taken.
That he is very strongly opposed to the
independence of the Philippines is mat
ter of course, since the church and its min
listers would certainly fare i'll at the hands
of a Tagal adventurer like Aguinaldo. He
is firmly convinced not only of the wisdom
and necessity of American rule in the arch
ipelago, but of its practicability also. In
recent interview he said the native races
are not competent to govern the islands, or
even TO share in their government TO any
extent. All the natives of the Philippines,
except the Tagelos, he declares, are
peaceful, industrious people, easily gov
erned under a wise and just policy The
Tagalos he describes as born fighters, as
they inherited the pugnaeity of their Arab
ancestors. In his opinion, which is enti-
tied TO great weight, the only way TO deal
with these warlike people is to establish
strong military government on the ISL
ands and form Tagal companies under
American officers. They would be loyal
| if well paid and treated with kindness and
| consideration, for they are vain as pea
cocks. They are bound to fight, without
much concern as TO who is the enemy, or
anything else so they be in the panoply of
war. The Archbishop bears witness to the
loyalty and good conduct of the Tagals
who were in the Spanish army.
This venerable prelate, who is not to be
classed with the friars of the Philippines,
confirms the opinion that when the Tagalo
race is subdued we should have no trouble
with the rest of the inhabitants. He sees
little hope that the pure aboriginal tribes
will ever be anything but Indians, but
they are peaceful and industrious and will
be good citizens If governed indulgently.
In connection with the opinions of the
most Intelligent classes In Manila, obtained
by the American Commissi5n, these express
sions of disinterested prelate who knows
the people thoroughly are of very great
olNt<x f,,l
ministration- He is comparatively disin-
terested for the reason that he is not in
favor with the friars, because of his oppo-
sition 10 their extremely worldly methods,
and he intends to return to Spain. The
prosperous citizens of Manila who have a
property stake all agree with the Arch
bishop that independence would mean
chaos, bloodshed, and European interven-
ton, and that the rule of a Tagal chief
would be intolerable. The opponents Of
expansion in this country can find little to
cheer them or to support their arguments
for Independence in any expressions of the
people who are most interested and who
are best informed about the conditions in
the Philippines. They must invent some
other way to get rid of the archipelago in
order 10 relieve us of this white mans bur-
den and enable us TO make cowardly and
disgraceful exit. Perhaps they have found
it in the stupendous job which a syndicate
has undertaken-the swapping of the archi-
pelago, with all its incalculable resources
for worthless island in the West Indies.
The coming of age of the Republic is a
cruel time for towards.