Omaha daily bee., 1899-08-20
SCHURMAN HOMEFROM MANILA
President of Philippine Commission i,
Omaha Enrouto to Washington.
FAVORABLE IMPRESSION OF FILIPlNOS
Americana Must Deal Gently with the
Filipino-He is Entitled to SYM
pathetic Considerntion-Pleas-
ing Traits in His Character

Jacob Gould Schurman, president of the
Philippine commission, passed through the
city yesterday afternoon on his way to
Washington, d. c. Mr.. Schurman came
directly from the Philippine islands via
Japan, where he was met by Mrs. Schurman,
who visited a month in the island awaiting
his return. Mrs. Schurman left her home,
Ithaca, N. Y, June IL, going to meet her
husband to accompany him on the return
voyage after the completion Of his duties
in the Philippines.
President Schurman appeared to have
borne the rigors of a tropical climate re-
markably we'll, although he looked somewhat
thinner than a year as when he visited in
Omaha. Mrs. Schurman was hale and hearty
and apparently enjoyed the travel immensely.
At the outset President Schurman said he
could not give his views on Philippine prob
lens. 1t would be a breach Of diplomatic
usage, he said, to communicate with any
one on the subject before making his off,
cial report to the president. President
Schurman appeared to be more anxious to
ask questions than to answer them. From
his conversation it was evident that he de-
sired to know how public opinion leaned as
regarding the future policy for the Philip
pines, and what was the attitude of the
Nv w AS"hA tAS ~
itorial opinion regarding the course the gov
eminent ought to take after its sovereignty
is recognized by the Philippines.
The nearest he was disposed to give any
expression Of his own views was to say that
it would be wise to adopt a course or plan
which would enable the government to
maintain laws and order and at the same
time to give the Filipinos no cause for dis
content.
Remarkable Progress of the Filipino.
ut will be a surprise to many Americans
to know" said President Schurman, THAT
the educated Filipino is the equal Of any
other civilized people in the world. You
may take their lawyers, doctors, artists and
educated business men and put them along
side Of the same class of any other country
and they will equal them in mental capacity
and in every attribute of citizenship. Great
are the possibilities OF these people and
their country. They are quick to perceive
the advantages of western civilization; they
are inspired by a hope to improve their con-
dition intellectually and materially. Under
the direction Of the American government
the inhabitants of the Philippine islands
will show strides in the arts Of civilization
quite as remarkable as the progress at
tanned by the Japanese the last thirty years.
Three decades ago the Japanese were as be-
nighted, exclusive and intractable as the
Chinese are today, yet in thirty years the
wonderful progress made by the Japanese
has raised that nation to a treaty power,
until 1t is admitted to the family OF nations.
Such achievements are possible with the
Filipino, who rs no less intelligent, though,
perhaps, less industrious than the Japanese.
Americans must deal gently with the
III ~ l. -
sideration. There are many pleasing traits
In his character; his home life is exem-
plary, and as a class he is we'll disposed to-
ward his neighbor or his superior. Once his
confidence is gained, II dealt with in a frank,
straightforward manner, the misunderstood
ing will all be ~dissipated and the Filipino
will realize that the American Is his friend. -
Interesting Country.
THE Philippines are an exceedingly in
teresting country" Mr.. Schurman added, and
he had gathered vastly more information
about them by travelling from one to an
other than he possibly could have done by
reading and study.
During President Schurman's conversation
most OF his questions were with regard tt
the mode OF government the United States
intends to adopt; whether 1t should be CO.
lonial, territorial or simply a protectoratt
with home rule for the Filipinos. He wai
on his way to Washington, he said, anC
would seek an Interview with the presiden
as soon as possible. Whether or not h.
would remain in the commission, Mr.. Schur
man said, would depend on the wishes o
President Mckinley.
President Schurman's visit was a brie
one. his train having stopped only ffteel
minutes. Mrs. Schurman and he chatted wit
friends who visited the depot to greet them
In the party were Edward Rosewater, hi
son Charles Rosewater and Charles Young
the young men being alumni OF Cornell uni
versity, the institution of which Mr.. SchuI
man is president. Mr.. Edward Rosewatel
having recently delivered a series OF lecture
at the university, was Informed in regard I
much that had happened in Ithaca durin
President Schurman's absence, and the tw
spent most of the time Of the brief Wis.
chatting about friends and matters of inter
est TO both.
Building