The record-union., 1899-01-19
General Whittier Says It Is Easy
Of Solution.
Would Be Simplest Matter Possible to
Bring FlIiplnos Under Control.
Thinks a Settlement Of the Situa.
tion Could be Effected in Three
Day-Would Give the Natives
Offices Of Minor Importance
Until They Develop Their Ca
pacity for Governing.

NEW YORK, Jan. 1S.-General
Charles A. Whittier, who returned re-
Gently from Manila, says: Nothing in
the world Is easier of settlement than
the situation in the Philippines 1t
could be settled in three days"
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 at Washington. This done, he
now feels that he is sufficiently freed
from official obligations to speak OF
affairs in the Philippines. His posi-
ton there gave him ample opportunity
for observing the conditions in the ISL
ands.
in the first place." General Whit
tier said, there is wide ignorance of
the wealth of the Philippines and the
character of the Filipinos The natives
are not ignorant: they are not saw
ages. They are adept at manufactures
and as accountants, mariners and rail-
road operatives. They are quiet. most
temperate, and have shown great abil-
ity in their military affairs.
With firmness, accompanied by di-
plomacy and tact, 1 think it is the SIM
plest matter possible to bring them un-
der our 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.
I saw Aguinaldo on October 27th,
! three days before leaving Manila He
said his people were about equally di-
vided, one-half favoring absolute inde-
pendence, the other half favoring an
American protectorate. I said to him
in behalf of those favoring independ-
ence: In fact it must be the wish of
all of you to develop the country. To
do this roads must be built on scientific
principles; railroads must be construct
ed; sanitation will be necessary. You
have no money or credit, you have no
navy. The islands are so rich a prize
that apart from quarrels and schisms
between the different tribes. foreigners
are most likely to take from you por-
tions 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 all
times to take part of the country? He
had no answer for this.
"A confidential friend of Aguinaldo.
Buen Camino Joined the conference at
this point, and after talking awhile
with Aguinaldo, expressed very strong
ly his opinion that the two could move
their people to the acceptance of a pro-
tectorate.
Aguina1dO 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 fall
or Manila, when they were assured of
our friendship.
My view is that after the signing of
/ the treaty of Paris, communication
should have been established with them.
and have no doubt that an under
standing could have been arrived at
with no impairment 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
| OF President Mckinley of the commis;-
sion to investigate the condition in the
philippines General Whittier replied:
I think it is most excellent thing.
In letter to the Secretary Of State.
written last September, l recommended
that such commission be sent there,
10 study and report upon the conditions
political, social and material of all the
1slaTds, and later in my testimony be-
| fore the Peace Commission in Paris. I
made similar recommendation.
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 land and forestry
commission, or a department of land
surveys and works. The present COM
mission seems to fulfill these require
ments.
"It might readily be adapted to the
British Colonial system, and 1t would
| be easy to determine which of the many
forms might be advantageously adopt
ed. The British Colonial Empire has
forty distinct and Independent Govern
ments. OF these eleven have elective
assemblies and responsible Govern
ments. The remaining twenty-nine are
divided into many classes
"In any form of Government under a
protectorate it would be of advantage
probably to make one Of the native
leaders Commissary of natives. In
| this, or in any event, the Governor
General alone or with the commission
should have absolute power"
-
| Indians Quiet and Peaceable.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1S.-The Sec
retary Of the Interior, in a communica-
/ ton to the House Committee on In