The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-19
PHILIPPINE PROBLEM IS EASY
THE WAY GENERAL WHITTIER
WOULD SETTLE IT.
Natives Are People of Intelligence
and Ability and Are Easily Gov
erned-Not Hard to Control.

New York, Jan. 1S.-General Charles
A. Whittier who returned recently
from Manila, saws: 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 col
lector until the end of October. He re-
turned by way of Paris, and on his ar
rival in this country recently. his first
duty was TO make his report to the Off
Gals. in Washington This done, he
now feels that he is sufficiently freed
from official obligations to speak Of af-
fairs in the Philippines. His position
there gave him ample opportunity for
observing the conditions in the islands.
In the. first place." General Whittier
continued, there is a wide ignorance
OF the wealth of the Philippines and the
character of the Filipinos The natives
are not ignorant; sthey are not saYages.
They are adept at manufactures and as
accountants, mariners and railroad op-
eratives. They are quiet, most temper
ate, and have shown great ability in
their military affairs.
with firmness accompanied by di-
olomacy and tact, l think it the sim
plest matter possible to bring them un-
der our control.
.'7$Te may give them offices of minor
DOlD MILITARY anu CIVIL anu
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
Il saw Aguinaldo on Oct. q. three
days before leaving Manila. He said
his people were about equally divided,
one-half favoring absolute independ-
ence. the other half favoring an Amer
ican protectOrate- l said to him. in re-
ply to those favoring. independence:
The fact is, 1t must be the wish of all
to develop the country. To do this,
roads must be built on scientific princi-
pies; railroads must be constructed;
sanitation will be necessary. You have
no money or credit, you have no navy.
The islands are SO rich prize that,
aside from quarrels and schisms be-
between the different tribes, foreigners
are most likely to take from you por-
tons of the possessions from time to
time.
s'AguinaIdo replied: The civilized.
world would never permit such a thing
TO which / returned: How has it been
in China, where England, Russia, Ger
many and France are striving at all
times TO take parts OF the country
He had no answer for this.
"A confidential friend CT Aguinaldo,
Ruen Canine. joined the conference at
this point and. after talking a while
with Aguinaldo. expressed very strong
" his opinion that the two could move
their people to the acceptance of pro- !
tectorate.
.Aguinaldo and Buen Canine added /
expressions OF pleasure at my visit, az
they felt they had been neglected and |
rather given the cold shoulder by the |
Americans since the day after the fall |
of Manila, when they were assured Of !
our friendship.
NV view is that after the signing |
of the treaty in Paris. communication |
should have been established with them !
and ! have no doubt that an under |
e+anding could have beer arrived at /
with no impairment of our dignity and !
win no suggestion that we were going /
10 give no the islands, at least for the |
present"