The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-10
AMERICAN RULE DESIRED
WHAT SENATOR BEvERIDGE
LEARNED WHILE In PHILIPPINES.
Extracts from Interviews with Ma
dianian Used i'm His Speech.

Senate to-day, was a Datcn OF extracts
from interviews with natives and mer-
chants in each of the principal islands of
the Philippine group, the extracts being
Incorporated in the senator's speech. They
are here given:
One of the principal merchants of the
Philippines and the far East said: The
whole country is intellectually rich. With
only ordinary good government commerce
would be immense Spanish rule was cor
rupt, but commerce accustomed itself to
the conditions and hourlShed In spite Oh
them. So rich is the country that COM
merce will survive any situation, however
bad, If it is only fixed and certain. The
people are incapable of self-government-
The few exceptions are no exceptions or
the masses. For years to come very
strong government will be necessary The
climate is very good. have lived here
eighteen years, and my health was never
BETTER
one of the principal business men of the
Philippines and the far East: II have no
fault to find with the climate. My health
is very fine. Business here, large as
it is, is only hint of what will be under
good government. l think 1T folly to
talk of giving the natives any part in
the government. They are incapable. OF
course, there are possibly half dozen
who might be capable-but / doubt the
result of such an experiment, even with
the best Anything but strong govern
ment at first will result in disaster. Don't
put courts into their hands at all, except
the minor and village courts, of course.
You might give them municipal self-gov-
eminent in the smaller municipalities-but
even then only under careful supervision.
The most eminent educator in the Phil
ippines, of very wide information about
the people and the country, said: 1T is
marvellous country. The climate is the
ideal tropical climate of the world. Also
it presents every variety of climate. Only
moderate distance from Manila, in the
province of Benguet, there are oaks, pines,
frost, and you must use blankets at night.
1t is the richest and most variegated por-
ton of the earth's surface. My health
has always been good You must introduce
a strong, decisive and pure government.
The natives might possibly be permitted
to take a practical part in municipal af-
fairs. Self-government is out of the ques-
tion l fear the insurrection will last for
months, perhaps for years. The natives
are like buffalo bulls, they get mad and
then want to fight, no matter whether
right or wrong. You cannot successfully
deal with them by gentle means They
absolutely misunderstood such treatment.
While in arms they must be fought,
fought ceaselessly and remorselessly. 9th
erwise they will keep 1t up forever
A SCIENTISTS VIEWS.
The most eminent scientist of the far
East, better informed on the Philippines
and their people and more experienced in
the whole situation than any man now liv-
ing, said: 1.-The climate is the best tropical
climate in the world. My health is ex-
cellent, and has been for years. Nearly
everything can be raised in the islands.
Also nearly any climate can be had in
the various attitudes practically accessible.
1t will take a long time to prepare the
people for self-government Certainly they
are not so now. l think everything must,
for years, be firmly controlled by the
Americans"
gentleman connected with the rail-
road service and thoroughly acquainted
with the people, said: 1.-The climate of
these islands is perfect for the tropics.
l have been here altogether for six years,
and never enjoyed better health. L think
these fellows will keep on fighting for
months. They are utterly incapable of self
government Americans English un-
derstand it. They might, under very care
full and firm direction, be allowed to take
a little part in municipal government, but
not much, even there. If they were given
self-government business would almost dis
appear. until some European power took
the matter in hand
One of the large planters and business
men of LuZon, a pure Filipino, with init
mate relations with the insurgents, said
1T is hard to say how long the contest
| will last. The very common people care
| little about the matter, but have been told
and believe many bad things about the
Americans. What Filipinos want is to gov
know anything about government, except
that Spain gave them, which was most
corrupt. If you gave those islands gov
eminent where justice would be admins
| tered freely and without price, property
protected, and free speech secured, you
ask me If the common people would be
satisfied, do not know. The common peo-
| pie do not know what they want Are they
capable of self-government, of voting in
| diligently? What difference does that
make? They would vote just exactly as
the better classes say. / employ several
| hundred men; well, 1 expect and would
| see to it that they have the same opin-
ions 1 have. Humph! 1t would be impos-
sible otherwise. What the Filipino lead
ers talk about and insist on is a guar
| antee. By this they mean Filipinos to have
exclusive government of the islands, the
| United States to keep a fleet here to pro-
! tect that government and the islands gen.
| orally in every possible situation. and this
| agreement witnessed by a third nation,
| strong enough to compel the United States
not capable of self-government, but the
| leaders are, or would be after some prac-
| tice, so it is just the same thing
THEY ARE CHILDREN.
| A pure Filipino, a physician, a man of
wealth in the interior of Luzon, one of
| the most intelligent men of the many met
and talked to, said: 1T is hard to say how
| long this struggle will continue. The lead
| ers say they want independence, the COM
mon people 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 oil that, they would not I'M
| derstand and appreciate it at first; would
| not believe 1t, as Ii were. But when, after
| while, three four years say. they come
| to understand your good intentions and
| actually experience good government, there
1 will be no trouble. oh, yes, the islands are
| marvelously rich. After good government
| is once in operation they will pay their way
many times over My people are not a
bad people; they don't understand; they
are children yet"
| The principle British merchant of Iloilo
4 said: 1.-The climate is simply splendid
even here on the sea. A very short dis
/ lance inland you must have fire every
| night. L have been here more than twenty
| years, and my health is and always has
| ever felt heat badly was in New York last
| September. 1t goes without saying that
| the country is enoromusly rich. Its re-
| sources have not yet even begun to be
| developed. Vast comerce is was, il is
| only a suggestion as to what may be. The
| natives are kind, affectionate people
| when properly treated. They are suspicious
| though, and once aroused, very obstinate
| Surely they are capable of self-governmeni
| in municipal matters Further than that
| / think Ii not safe TO go at present. The
| common people probably do not understand
| the meaning of self-government as we do
| There is no doubt that they would be com
| pletely dominated by their leaders.
| put the courts in the hands of the natives
4 alln rrd lars