The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-11-13
A FOREIGN VIEW.

The Quarterly Review" deliberately
and exhaustiyely considers seven nota-
BILE books written by observers, in the
Philippines. Two of these are based
on observations made prior to the
American occupation, and one of these
was by a. scientist. After closely crit
icising each of the books, including
Stevens, Younghusband's and Worces-
ter's accounts, the Review" reaches
the conclusion that what has happened
was inevitable. Had not Deweys guns
destroyed the Spanish fleet the time was
not far distant when the Spanish DOM
ination in the islands must have come
to an end since it was so cruel, unjust,
unthrifty, undeveloping and debasing.
The rule of the friars as whole
though there are plenty of true and
honorable priests in the Philippines
was the rule of the cruelest Of task
the laws of the decalogue; they ac-
quired immense property interests; they
became drunk with power: they ex-
torted from the natives unconscionable
taxes; they even ruled Spain herself
and punished every Spanish official
who dared to protest against their
courses and practices. Spanish rule it
self was merciless. For inability to
pay taxes men were brutally fogged,
chased and captured as wild beasts,
with species of lasso armed with
sharp hooks. Even the dead were re-
fused burial and their bodies were in
suited if the extortionate demands of
the rate collectors were not acceded
to by the living. In fact the situation
was such that an end had to come If
Americans had not taken possession,
some other Power would have done so,
and then would have commenced a
mighty struggle among the nations for
partition of the spoil.
The Review holds that the Ameri-
can occupation was all but providential,
that having taken possession the Unit
ed States cannot let go, cannot aban-
don the islands if it would. That there
is given to it noble mission of paci-
fication and the belief is expressed that
it will accomplish it. and that better
ment of all classes of natives will re-
suit. Very little credit is given to the
Tagals who are practically alone main
tanning the present insurrection. Cen
turtles ago these Malays swarmed over
from Borneo and took possession of the
country driving the native tribes to
the hills. Ever since they have been
disturbers. What advance they have
made has been by reason of contact
with higheT civilization The judg-
ment is arrived at that the best thing
that could have happened for the Phil
ippines was the American assertion
and occupation. Out of that will come
great good in time.
The Review" doubts not that at the
outset we will make mistakes, but these
will be Of minor character: event
ually we will dominate in the island
and the archipelago will be developed
with speed and to an extent that
will make the world marvel AS it's re-
sources have been little more than
touched as it was not the policy of the
Spaniards to promote agriculture or
build the islands to the true stature for
which nature intended them. Beyond
all question, says the Review" the
testimony establishes that the Philip
pines is the richest archipelago in the
world and Americas occupation Of it
is to prove a happy event not only for
the Philippines but for the nations Of
the earth.