The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-05
A STUDENT OF FILIPINOS
PROF. WORCESTER TALKS OF THEIR
CONDITION AND CHARACTERISTICS.
Uncle Sam Must Secure Confidence of
of His Good Intentions.
Washington Post.


vince the people of those islands of its own
good intentions toward them and its determ-
ination to give them just and equitable
government which they have
never before enjoyed. TO do this it is alb
soiutely necessary to secure the confidence
of the leaders" This is the keynote of the
Philippine situation at the present time. as
expressed by Prof. d. C. Worcester, Of Ann
Arbor. Mich, who was yesterday a guest
at the National Hotel
Professor Worcester is probably better ac-
quainted with the Filipino, his character,
his needs his disposition, and his environ
ments, than almost any other American, and
for this reason his opinion is most valuable.
This information was CLEANED by two ex-
tensive trips, during the course of which he
penetrated the most remote and isolated
portions of the archipelago. and also visited
the most populous and prosperous sections.
Both trips were made for the purpose of
scientific research into the zoology of the
islands, and extended over period OF more
than three years. Upon the first occasion
he was accompanied by DR.. f. S. Bourns,
another American, and three others, one of
whom was a naturaliZed American Filipino.
Much difficulty was encountered from the
rounded the places where they were stop
ping with armed guards, and several times
subjected them to arrest. The second trip,
however. which covered two and a half
years, resulted in greater degree of sue
cess, from the fact that through the Depart
ment of State the investigators secured
royal order from the Madrid government,
which came to them through General Wey-
uhO general
islands. Professor Worcester was accom-
panied upon the second trip by Or. Bour1s
alone. The latter has recently been mace
the chief health officer of the city OF Mania,
and was chief surgeon in the American
army in the Philippines under General Mer-
rift and the succeeding commanders, ana
who acted as Interpreter between the Amer
lean officials and Aguinaldo, ana performed
the same function when Manila was sur
rendered by the Spanish.
MANY DISTINCT TRIBES.
'"There are eighty separate and dis
tinct tribes of people in the Philippine
Islands," said Professor Worcester, "eacn
with it's own dialect, customs and manners.
And, first of all, might say an erroneous
impression has gone forth regarding these
people. Particularly is this so with relation
to the tribe known as the Negritos, whom,
have seen it stated constitute the great pop
ulation Of the islands, and people have spec
ulated upon the possibility of a Negrito be-
ing elected to the United States Senate
Nothing could be further from the truth
The Negritos are small, dWar1ish, unlntel-
Igent people, VINO are supposed TO ne tue
aborigineS of the islands. 1t is true that they
are naked savages, but they present no
problem. They are found only in the most
remote portions of the islands, In the center
of LuZon and Mindando and close TO the
tops of the high mountains. They are the
lowest type of the inhabitants of the islands
but they are fast becoming extinct Their
death rate is largely in excess of their birth
rate, and has been for some years. Hhey
have been unable to compete with the oe-
scendantS of the Malays and will soon cease
to exist. In fact, there are few of them now
left, and they are exceedingly difficult TO
find
THE remainder of the people might be
divided into three distinct groups the civ
lions of the ten millions of inhabitants of
the islands; the Pagans and the Moros;
Filipino is a decent sort of a fellow, and
has many qualities greatly to be admired.
He is cleanly, builds himself comfortable
home-the best that his condition enables
him to provide-cares for his family, ex-
ercises self-control, dresses himself taste
fully, is patient sober and self-respecting.
He possesses the elements for making a
good citizen. His family life is, indeed, adj
mirable. The women are given much iber-
", and the Filipino consults his wife in all
his business affairs. In fact she conducts
many of them for him The Filipino is ex-
ceedingly hospitable, even to people of diff
ferent natiOnalities, but he expects the
same degree of welcome in return. His
children are obedient and Well-behaved.
CRUSHED BY THE SPANIARDS.
Notwithstanding all this, the Filipino
has been subjected to the worst sort of
misrule for years. The Spanish policy has
always been to keep him not only in sub
lection and to use him only for purposes
of taxation, but has also sought to keep
him in ignorance. Consequently, the vast
majority of the Filipinos are ignorant and
fO.
instance, by going abroad and studying
When he returns he is usually a marked
man. He will perhaps be invited aboard a
ship of by some Spanish officers and
never be heard from again One of the pro-
visions of the law has been that Spanish
should be the language taught in all the
schools, but they have made no effort to
provide the schools Education has not only
been discouraged, but prevented. Again
the use and ownership of firearms has been
PROMPTED, and those who Ventured to own
weapons without a royal order from the
captain general were punished by long
terms of imprisonment The chief reason
for the success of the last uprising was the
fact that in some manner or another the ma
uves secured something with which to
fight.
LONG ROBBED BY sPANIARDs.
1T is a well-known fact that the Philip
pine islands have been considered as nothing
more than a plundering ground for Spanish
officials. The people have been taxed with
out mercy and they have received absolute
ly nothing in return. They have not even
common roadways, and only very short
line of railway on the islands. They have
no lines of communication, and there has
been no justice The man who could pay the
most money always got the verdict in a
suit. But in getting it there was no assur- |
ance that another court would not, for
further consideration, reverse the verdict,
for there have been three or four different
sets of laws. Neither have they received |
any protection from the bandits who gather
able citizens. Having no arms they have
been absolutely unable to defend themselves
and have been at the mercy of the Spanish
officials and the bands of robbers. Conse-
Quently, what is necessary, il the United
States is to assume control OF the islands |
is to convince the people of the good inten-
tiCnS of the American government and to
impress upon them the fact that they will |
be given a good government. But the !
Filipinos follow their leaders like Sheep and |
their leaders must therefore, be won over. !
During my Investigations upon the islands, !
many of the better classes of FilipinOs often
said to NE that it would he a gOod thing if |
only England or America would seize the |
islands and give them a good government.
But their experience with the white mans !
has been woeful. As l said.
they follow their leaders blindly, believing |
that they have a charm, even TO the extent !
of resisting leaden bullets. Many even be- |
lieve now that Aguinaldo is bullet-proof and /
fired at him glance off and leave him I'M |
harmed. But so far as he is concerned or |
his official following, neither presents any |
formidable obstacle which the American /