New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-21
PHILIPPINE ILLUSIONS AND DELUNoN'

PHILIPPINE ILLUSIONS AND DELUSIoAs'
We print elsewhere in this mornings paper a
letter OF exceptional interest and Importance
from Manila from DR.. George +. Becker OF
1be United States Geological Survey. III Is
largely devoted 10 n study of the character ana
| temperament OF the Fillpinos, and nm explana-
lion of their point of view Of the present crisis
; in the affairs Of the archipelago. 1t Will make
c,cor "a the American reader the illusions which
The Filipinos. or. at any rate, the Tagalos cher'
,sh md the delus,ons under which they labor.
and should be most suggestive OF the course OF
action properly and prohtaeiy 70 Do PufSueu
toward them.
Tho Fuipinos are what might be called n
child-race In intellect and Judgment they
never come TO maturity. They have childish
Jock Of knowledge and All equally childish IN
ability 10 exercise the logical faculty. They 90
not seem to know the difference between Span
,sb rnle and American rule All white men
look alike to them. They cannot understand
how government by any white Power can mean
ANYTHING other than oppression. 1t has always
meant that: therefore, In their mind. J. always
must. Neither can they understand tie differ
ence IN strength between nations They do not
gee why they cannot resist the United States
,bcv would not be perfectly we'll able TO stand
alone against Germany or any other rover
They have, moreover, the volatility and mpul-
siveness and the lack Of tixity OF purpose whlch
are characteristic of childhood. They look IN
ono direction to-day and in another tomorrow
They are easily swayed. They have, too, the
pettness OF passion. the spite and the ire
sponsibility Of childhood. All these things COM
plicate the task of governing such people,
while at the same time they make necessary
the assumption Of such q task.
Happily, the Fiipinos possess other and more
admirable childish traits They are docile III
the hands OF those whom they recognize as
their superiors In ability and character, and
! they are by no means incapable Of such recog-
nltion They are ambitious and not lacking In
energy. Above all, they have keen sense OF
justice. They resent oppression and Insult, OUT
they appreciate right dealing and courtesy.
These facts, as our correspondent intmates,
point out the true method OF appealing to them
and of governing them. Mere Kindness, COM
promise and indulgence they Will regard as
weakness. and will be led thereby to presume
upon such treatment. Infexible hrmpess Will
Impress them deeply, and II 1t be conJolned
with inviolable regard for justice and for the
promotion Of their interests they VIII speedily
become reconciled to 1t, will become docile and
will initiate our modes of industry, administra-
| ton and thought.
The situation six weeks ago al Manila IL de-
! scrlbed by Mr. Becker as one OF unstable equi-
/ Iibrium, with increasing danger Of a topping
| in the wrong direction, and an urgent need OF
such prompt and energetic action as would
give an unmistakabe and decisive impulse In
| the right direction. 1t may be that since that
! time the condition of affairs has improved,
though recent dispatches have not convncingly
! indicated IT. If not, Mr.. Becker's remark may
still be pertinent for consideration that IL may
! be necessary 10 teach the Filipinos a sharp les
son, and IL so the sharper and more sudden the
better Children must be treated as children,
even II 1t comes 70 the use of the rod.