Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-21
TO CONTROL PHILIPPINES
What Genera! Whittier Thinks
About Situation.
All Dimcuitics I'm Islands Could BE
Settled in Three Days HI. Talk
with Aguinnido Condition at
IiioIo Exaggerated.
New York Herald

settlement than the situation in the
Philippines. 1t could be settled in
three days" Such was the emphati-
cally expressed conviction OF General
Charles A. Whittier, speaking for pub
LEGATION for the first time yesterday
since his return from his Official post
in the Philippines.
General Whittier went to Manila with
General Merritt. and there served as
collector until the end of October. He
returned by way of Paris, and on his
arrival 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
there gave him ample opportunity for
observing the conditions in the islands.
In the first place." said General
Whittier when 1 saw him in his apart
ment at No. PAT Fifth avenue yester-
day. there is a wide ignorance of the
wealth of the Philippines and the char
acter of the Filipinos. The natives are
not Ignorant; they are not savages
accountants. mariners and railroad
operatives. They are quiet, most tenn
perate and have shown great ability in
their military affairs.
EASY TO BRING UNDER CONTROL
With firmness, accompanied by dip
lomacy and tact. 1 think it is the
simplest matter possible to bring them
under our control
we may give them offices of minor
Importance, both military and-eipii, and
try the experiment for whatever num-
Der of years may be necessary until
they develop their capacity for gov
erning. 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 indepen-
dence. the other half favoring an
american protectorate. 1 said to him
in reply to those favoring indepen-
dence: The fact is. It must be the wish
OF all of you to develop the country
10 do this. roads must be built on
scientific principles. railroads must be
constructed. sanitation will be neces-
sary. You have no money or credit,
you have no navy. The islands are so
rich n prize that, apart from quarrels
and schsms between the different
tribes. foreigners are most likely to
take from you portions of the posses
sions from time TO time
MIGHT ACCEPT PROFESSIONALS
"Aguinaldo replied, The civilized
world would never permit such a
thing to which I returned. How has
1t been in China, where England, Rus
STA, France and Germany are striving
at all times to take parts of the coun-
try He had no answer for this.
"A confidential friend OF Aguinaldo,
Buen Canine. Joined the conference
while with Aguinaldo expressed very
strongly his opinion that the two
could move their people to the accept
ance of protectorate
"Aguinaldo and Buen Canine added
expressions of pleasure at my visit. as
they felt they had been neglected and
rather given the cold shoulder by
Americans since the day after the fan
OF Manila, when they were assured of
our friendship.
MY view Is" continued General
Whittier. that after the signing of the
treaty in Paris communication should
nave been established with them, and
l have no doubt that an UNDERSTANDING
could have been arrived at with no i'm
pairment OF our dignity and with no
suggestion that we were going to give
up the islands. at least for the pres
ent.''
COMMENDS THE COMMISSION