The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-06-08

winds blow; and Manila's unique
strength of position is therefore not
only economical but strategical.
I'm comparison with the opportunities
afforded by other Asiatic countries, the
Philippines provide more than their ma =
tural share of opportunities for the in
vestment of capital for the develop
ment of various enterprises. Not one
acknowledged authority on the islands
has yet come forward with less
cheerful view of the situation than l
have depicted. Moreover, many a
doubling Thomas, who has held the six
pence of climatic considerations and
danger of the white mans burden SO
near his eye that he could not see be-
yond, later on personal investigation
of the field, not confined to Manila, but
the great country back Of 1t in Luzon
and the other islands-has frankly ac-
knowledged his error and that here Is
one of the greatest undeveloped fields
of investments that remain outside the
borders of the United States.
Holding and developing the Philip
pines is not mere imperialism, not mere
expansion, In the popular use of these
misleading terms, but taking legitimate
advantage of a splendid material op-
portunity where the unavoidable moral
responsibility has compelled us to as
sumo the sovereignty Of these rich An
TILES of the Orient. If we call 1t ex-
pansion or imperialism, then these
terms are synonyms for legitimate COM
mercial extension, and commerce is the
life-blood of nations, provided it has
the moral strength of sinew and bone
to absorb the nourishment and ozone Of
new blood and not be poisoned by thuse
elements which invariably accompany
extraordinary efforts in untried fields.
]. believe that we have the power of
discrimination, the capability Of taking
what Is best and leaving what is worst,
in so guiding out policy that in this
great race of nations for supremacy in
the worlds competition We shall be for
ever a strong first.
The climate is not such as to inter
fere with the investment of capital and
with providing an extensive market for
American products which in turn will
benefit far more people in the United
states than any number which might
seek the Philippines as place of resi-
dence. AT the same time there is 10
great danger for Americans or foreign
ers residing in the tropics who take
care of themselves.
After careful study of the differ
ent tribes of the Philippine islands and
an intimate acquaintance through sew
eral years of races of Asiatics similar
to them in tendencies, habits, methods
or lie ana ways OIL lIllUklIS. IL Is my
honest conviction that their good quail
tiles outweigh the bad: that there is
much of hope and promise in their
makeup, and that, in comparison with
other Asiatic people, they are above
the average. While not as industrious
or thrifty as the Japanese, they COM
pare favorably in intelligence and So
briefly with the best of other Asiatics.
] believe firmly that the masses of the
people are not turned against us with
those feelings of hatred and revenge
which we cannot overcome. When they
fully understand that our intentions
are honorable; that the recent conflict
has not been justified from their stand
point, and that possibly they have been
misled by ambitious leaders, am con-
fident they will readily accept any form
of government we may institute. No
greater misfortune could befall us than
to have the Philippines a dumping
ground for mercenary politicians. Here
is our greatest danger, and If we can
safely intrust native Filipinos with a
goodly portion of the lesser offices of
the administration of the interior we
will save ourselves from the greater of
the two evils.
THE United States have assumed a
| mighty and unavoidable responsibility,