The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-09


road service and thoroughly acquaint-
ed with the people:
1.-The climate of these islands is per-
feet for the tropics. / have been here
altogether for six years, and never en-
joyed better health. I think these fell
lows viii keep on fighting for months
They are utterly incapable of self-gov-
eminent as Americans or English IN
derstand it. They might, under very
careful and firm direction, be allowed
to take a little part in municipal gov
eminent, but not much. even there If
they We're given government bust
ness would almost disappear, until some
European power took the matter in
hand
One of the large planters and bust
ness men of Luzon, a pure Filipino
with intimate relations with the in
surgents:
1T is hard to say how long the con-
test viii last. The very common peo-
pie care little about the matter, but
have been told and believe many bad
things about the Americans What
F1lipinoS want is to govern themselves.
No. of course, they do not know any
thing about government. except that
Spain gave them, which was most
corrupt If you gave those islands
government where justice would be ad-
ministered freely and without price,
property protected, and free speech Sc
cured, you ask me if the common peO-
pie would be satisfied do not know.
The common people do not know what
they want. Are they capable of self
government, of voting intelligently?
What difference does that make2 They
would vote just exactly as the better
classes say I employ several hundred
men; well, I expect and would see to it
that they have the opinions I have.
Humph. 1t would be impossible other
wise What the Filipinos leaders talk
about and insist on is a guarantee. By
f75 how
sive government of the islands, the In
tied States to keep a fleet here to pro-
tect that government and the islands
generally in every possible situation,
and this agreement witnessed by a third
nation. strong enough to compel the
United States to carry out its contract.
The people are not capable of self-gov-
eminent, but the leaders are, or would
be after some practice, so it is just the
same thing"
A pure Filipino, a physician, man
of wealth in the interior of Luzon-one
of the most Intelligent men of the many
I met and talked to:
1T is hard to say how long this strug-
gle will continue. The leaders say they
want independence, the common peo-
pie probably want socialism. To be
definite and particular they probably
do not know what they want. No, they
are not capable of SELF government. If
you give them pure government, free
speech, and all that they would not
understand and appreciate 1t at first;
would not believe it, as it were. But
when, after a while. three or four
years say, they come to understand
your good intentions and actually ex-
perienced good government, there will
be no trouble. oh, yes! the islands are
marvelOusly rich. After good govern
ment is once in operation thew viii pay
their way many times over. My people
are not a bad people; they don't under
stand; they are children YETI
The principal British merchant of
Iloilo said:
THE climate is simply splendid, even
here on the sea- A very short distance
inland you must have fire every night.
I have been here more than twenty
years, and my health is and always has
been most excellent. The only time I
ever felt heat badly was in New Y ork
last September. 1t goes without say
ing that the country is enormously rich.
It's resources have not yet even begun
to be developed. Vast as commerce is
or was, it is only a suggestion to what
it may be. The natives are a kind, at
fectiOnate people when properly treat
ed They are suspicious, though. and
once aroused, very obstinate. Surely
they are capable of government in
municipal matters. Further than that
think it not safe to go at present The
common people do not understand the
meaning of government as we do.
There is no doubt that they would be
completely dominated by their leaders.
I should think it a very risky business
to put the courts in the hands of the
natives even if you allowed them a
large measure of self government 9TH
erWise. You see they don't understand
the just and pure administration Of
law through courts. How should they2
The whole secret of your success will be
to adopt some definite plan, stick to it,
govern justly and firmly, be patient.
don't expect everything in a day and
very gradually and wisely introduce
them into the government. But all will
fail if you send any but pure and in
corruptible men here"
Another British merchant of noilo.
said:
MY health was never better. The
weather here is a hundred times moro
agreeable than some of the summer
weather in Chicago. OF course, the ma
tives are not capable of self-gOvern-
ment You must establish a strong,
honest, firm rule throughout the is
lands; the same laws, rights and forms
everywhere. Don't indulge in any nom
sense about self government. 1t is out
of the question, t present at least.
Don't mOraliZe and theorize-do- Fix
your plan. let all know definitely just
what it is, and then execute it firmly,
vigorously. The natives understand
strength and justice or injustice. That
is as far as they have gotten. Don't
palaver with them. Treating with them
they construe as fear. Don't be acad-
emic'
A highly educated and bright Span
ish AIestizo. claiming to be pure Fill
Pine, employed in IloiIo, said:
No one can tell when the fighting
will cease. 1t all depends upon what
Aguinaldo says. The common people
have absolute faith in him. His order
among those now in rebellion in this
island would be promptly obeyed. The
common people say they are fighting
for their independence. They mean by
this the right to manage their own
government. make and execute their
own laws. Their ideas of a proper rela-
ton between the Philippine Islands and
people of the United States is that of q
protectorate. The leaders absolutely
control the people. A man of proper
ty expects his working people to have