New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-20
A LESSON FROM THE EAST.

Attention was called in these columns a few
days ago TO the principle on which Lord Cromer
had attained his distinguished success as admin
istrator Of the affairs OF Egypt namely, the
employment Of only few Engllshmen or other
Europeans in the Civil Service, and the selec-
ton Of them purely on the ground Of merit and
fitness, and the filing Of the mass of places
with natives, under expert British education
and direction. To-day, elsewhere in our col
nmns, we present a detailed account Of a still
more interesting instructive and significant ex-
pertinent in the tutelage Of semi-civilized peo-
pies, crowned with equally impressive success.
The story Of the Federated States OF the Malay
Peninsula is not altogether familiar TO the pub
lie Of this country, nor even, we imagine, TO
that Of Great Britain itself. There IS scarcely
another so well worth the careful study Of those
who are in any way concerned with dealings
with alien tribes. Especially Is 1t commendable
TO American consideration at this time, for 1t Is
the story Of work done by nation closely akin
to our own, among tribes closely akin to those
with which we are now called upon to deal in
the Philippine Archipelago.
Perrisal Of the narrative will reveal the fact
that the condition Of the Malay States twenty
FIVE years ago was much like that Of the Phil
ippines today Contact with selfish civilization
had destroyed the rude virtues Of their print
tive state and left them unable to save them
selves from either domestic anarchy or foreign
conquest. The population was mixed. It was
partly Malay and partly Chinese, and the
Malays were largely Mahometans and the
Chinese were lcagued In secret societies, eX
actly as is the case in the Philippines, where
about one-third Of the people, under the most
important native dignitary, are Mahometans
and the Chinese societies have for years been
the most potent political force. Into that ola
podrida Of conflicting elements a great alien
factor was introduced, which was potent largely
because II was allen and therefore impartial,
and because it was characterized by the utmost
tolerance and freedom IN matters Of race and
creed 1t will be seen that that Power acted
with kindness patience and reason. but ut the
same time with promptness and lrmness. It's
Justice was unfaling; It's authority was inhe1
lble and irresistible. IT aimed at protection. not
subsection, and in the last analysis imposed con-
troll but not conquest Just rs In Egypt few
Europeans were put into office. and these few
were chosen experts. Native material was used
to the fullest possible extent. SO the people
were made to feel that they were governing
themselves, and thus they were led toward fit
ness for self-governmnt In the surest possible
way. The net result has been no burden. but
great honor and credit to the tutelary Empire
and incalculable benefit to the protected States.
That is the story. What is its obvious lesson?
The Rule of Three is sound and useful in math-
ematlcs It might prove to be as sound and
useful In problems Of government Great Brit
ain and the United States are closely akin. all
hut identical In race and blood and creed and
political genius and In ultimate aim and des-
tiny. So are the Malay States and the Philip
pines closely akin In race and blood and creed
and political condition, and above all In need
OF benevolent tutelagc. We might say that ms
Great Britain is to the United States. so are the
Malay States to the Philippines That Is fair