Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-05-06
A Filipino Writes Of His People.

The people of his country were III
ignorance of the character of the inhab- |
itants of the Philippine islands when
the present war began. And little def |
mite information has yet been obtained.
Therefore, a publication by a native of
the islands who is now in New York is
welcomed by all who wish to be we'll in
formed concerning the race and condi-
tons existing in the new United States
territory.
Raymond Reyes Lala has been in this
country ever since the present wal be-
gan, but his life has been spent in the
islands. He knows the people and is
! personally acquainted with the rebel
| lious leaders. He has attended many
public meetings, in this country, circu-
lated among the citizens of New York,
and been received as an educated and
| worthy parsonage. Insight into Amer
lean life has made him wish for his peo-
| Pile that they may be lifted VI by the
civilizing touch of this great nation. Mr..
| Lala has recently written a book con-
corning the islands and the people who
inhabit them. This work is dedicated to
| President Mckinley and the hero of
| Manila, the dedication reading: ITO
Rear Admiral Dewey, whose recent
great victory oven the Spanish fleet has
| given a new era of freedom and pros
perity for my country, and to President
Mckinley, in whose hands lies the des-
tiny of 5000, 900 of Filipinos, this book is
dedicated"
Appealing to his own people, the au-
thor says: II would say to all loyal,
ardent Filipinos hat l believe they
eventually will not regret the day when
Commodore Dewey sundered the calling
chains of Spanish dominance and when
General Merritt later hoisted the stars
and stripes over the archipelago. They
will rather most surely live to recognize
and appreciate the unsullied manifold
advantages and benefits incident to
American occupation, and to a close
contact with this honest. vigorous type
of manhood"
Describing such of the superior Ia
gals as are with Aguinaldo, Mr.. Lala
writes: Like all courageous people,
the Tagal despises cowardice and pusil-
lanimity. He has, therefore, but little
regard for the meek and humble China
man, who will pocket an insult rather
than avenge himself. He greatly es-
teens the European who is possessed of
tha nla1itiaS that Ia aIp1iras and will
follow him into the very jaws of death.
He is easily awed by a demonstration of
superior force, and is ruled best by firm
coercion based upon Justice
This Filipino then goes on to say of
the bulk of the rebels:
"Malays with an infusion of Chinese
are more intelligent than the pure Ma
lay. and therefore more shrewd. They
do not, however, enjoy the condolences
of the people, and are a tricky and dis
turbing element in the population. They
have the mongrel stamp and a cunning,
thrifty look. They are full of intrigue,
too, and it was, indeed, because they
formed so large a part of the rebels that
tlV IllSll-Aiooo 4 LiSoilolSo ~ clA6
about joining the insurgents, not wish
ing to combine even with the despised
Mestizo-Chinos against the hated Span
ish, for the government of the latter
was preferable to the former"
OF other tribes, Mr.. Lala writes:
They are puny stupid, and ugly, and
of a low order of intellect, incapable of
improvement, and deficient in judg-
ment.' Of still another tribe: They
are dark and strong, and present a fine
appearance. Like the American Indians,
they take the scalps of their enemies
slain in battle" Of still another: "They
have the cunning and shrewdness Of the
Chinese, with Iggorrote fierceness and
independence" The Visayas are spoken
Of as equals of the Tagals. The Visayas
have already welcomed American au-
thority, and have practically estab-
lished local government under the direc-
ton of American officers.