The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-18
TALKED WITH AGUINALDO
General Whittier Gives a Good Ac-
count of Native Filipinos.

New York, Jan. 1S.-General Charles
A. Whittier. who returned recently
from Manila, says:
Nothing in the world is easier of
settlement than the situation in the
Philippines It could be settled in
three days"
Gen. Whittier went to Manila with
Gen. Merritt and there served as col
lector until the end of October. He re-
turned by way of Paris, and on his ar
rival in this country recently his first
duty was to make his report to the
officials in Washington. This done, he
now feels that he is sufficiently freed
from official obligations to speak of
affairs in the Philippines. His position
there gave him ample opportunity for
observing the conditions in the island.
I'm the first place." Gen. Whittier
continued there is a wide ignorance
of the wealth of the Philippines and the
character of the Filipinos. The natives
are not ignorant; they are not savage.
They are adept at manufactures and
as accountants, mariners and railroad
operatives. They are quiet, most tenn
perate and have shown great ability in
their military affairs.
with firmness, accompanied by
diplomacy and tact, I think it the sim
plest matter possible to bring them I'M
der control
I'VE may give them offices of minor
Importance, both military and civil. and
try the experiment for whatever num-
Der of years may be necessary, until
they develop their capacity for govern
ing. and we can then be guided by that.
Il saw Aguinaldo on October 81, three
days before leaving Manila. He said his
people were about equally divided, one
half favoring absolute independence. the
other half favOring an American pro-
tectorate. l said to him in reply to
those favoring independence: The fact
ies 1cf Io he rf-b Of Of to
develop the country. To do this, roads
must be built on scientific principles,
railroads must be constructed, SANTA
ton will be necessary. You have no
money or credit; you have no navy.
The islands are so rich as prize that,
apart from quarrels and schisms be-
tween the different tribes, foreigners
are most likely to take from you por-
lions of the possessions from time to
time
"Aguinaldo replied: The civilized
world would never permit such a thing
to which 1 returned, How has it been
in China, where England, Russia,
France and Germany are striving at ali
times to take parts OF the country?
He had answer for this.
"A confidential friend of mine, Buen
Canine, Joined the conference at this
point, and after talking awhile with
Aguinaldo expressed very strongly his
people to the acceptance of a protec-
torate.
"Aguinaldo and Buen Canine added
expressions of pleasure at my visit. as
they felt that they had been neglected
and rather given the cold shoulder by
Americans since the day after the fall
of Manila, when they were assured of
our friendship.
MY view is that after the signing
Of the treaty in Paris communication
should have been established with them
and L have no doubt an understanding
could have been arrived at with no inn
pairment of our dignity and with no
suggestion that we were going to give
up the islands, at least for the present
Asked his opinion of the appointment
by President Mckinley of the commits
sion to investigate the conditions in the
Philippines, Gen. Whittier replied: Il
think it is a most excellent thing. In
a letter to the secretary of state, writ
ten last September, recommended that
such a commission be sent there to
study and report upon the conditions.
political, social and material, of ali the
islands, and later in my testimony be-
fore the peace commission in Paris 1
made a similar recommended ton.
Il then suggested that a bureau of
science, with the ablest chief and staff
to be obtained, should at once be es-
tablished to comprehend the depart
ments of geology, zoology, botany and
ethnology, and also a land and forestry
commission or department of land
surveys and works. The present COM
mission seems to fulfill all these require
ments.
III might readlIy aSSlmilate TO the
British colonial system, and it will be
easy for it to determine which of their
many forms may be advantageously
used. The British colonial empire has
forty distinct and independent govern
ments. OF these, eleven have elective
assemblies and responsible governments.
The remaining tWenty-nine are divided
into many classes.
In any form of government under
protectorate it would be of advantage
probably to make one of the native
leaders a commissioner of native af-
fairs. In this or any event the govern
or general alone. or with the commits
sion, should have absolute power"
GnRTG