La Junta tribune., 1900-10-10


Two days ago brief telegram In
formed me that Bryan In u speech had
tntimated that II elected. his tirst step
would be TO give. Independence 10 the
Philippines. II this report In true and
he stands by II. fancy that II will at
once change the issue Of the campaign
and the question Of retaining our ORR
entail possessions will become the main
issue. Other issues must necessarily
take second place. Can anything be
more vital than the necessity TO repel
the intimation that ms nation Ameri-
cans propose to shirk n great responsi-
billtyg that she has not the moral cour-
age to bear n full portion OF the white
mans burden? that having destroyed
the only government eight millions OF
people possessed she abandoned them
to anarchy. murder aud rapine in order
that she might be spared annoyance
and expense?- that she cast upon the
highway Of nations one Of the faircst
and most promising. garden spots OIL
enrth whose inhabitants-"half devil
aud half chIld''-were wanting even in
the training in self government OF the
ordinary Oriental tribes? that she de-
MED her responsibility to protect the
vested interests OF other nations? that
as a nation we had been weighed and
found wanting? cannot refrain from
making a few comments upon this re-
markable announcement.
Such solution of the Philippine
question would mean that within
twelve months Manila, uoilo, Cebu and
every other city and town in the archi-
pelngo would either be in ruins or In a
state Of anarchy. more likely the for
mer; every foreigner with n white face
would be murdered or driven from the
islands.
I have had rare opportunity to
study the Philippine question from
many Interesting standpOints. To be-
gin with I have visited the islands and
met the better class OF natives where
they appeared in outlying villages un-
der the most favorable circumstances.
They possess many traits of character
which commend them. and the educat-
ed native, although few In comparison
with the population Of the islands show
what may be accomplished II their en-
ergies are properly directed.
But these few are not sufficient to
hold In restraint the vast majority.
Take away the white troops and the
native soldiers would Immediately be-
come menace to the peace and order
Of the locality In which they are sta
TONED. They would obey orders only
so bonx as 10 obey facilitated their ef-
forts to loot.
While visit to the islands enables
one to more easily grasp the local con-
dIfiops, by far the most valuable infor-
nation 1 have been enabled to obtain
from any source has come to me in my
ofl3ce-the United States consulate nj
Amoy. The hundreds Of columns Of
written criticisms which l have read
and the many hours I have spent In lis
teuipg to army and navy Ohicers CIV
ing their experience together with my
own observations In the Islands fall
short OF the practical estimate Of the
true Filipino character given by the
Chinese who have spent their lives
among them.
Chipese In the Philippines and over 90.
OOO OF them came from Annoy. The
wealth OF the Islands mol owned BY the
church until recently was In the hands
Of the Chinese. They controlled the
commerce. They have for over two
hundred years been teaching the FIJI
ninoe how to grow sugar. hemp and
tobacco. They have taught them what
little they know Of thrift and economy
me Chinamnn has nnanced the country
made the advances which enabled the
natives to grow and harvest his crop.
and after It IL harvested ne has 0ought
ont Q market and provided the means
for transporting II thereto ne mas
fnmfly of half castles who to-day num-
~ ia the hundreds Of thousands and
2onstftute the brisheist and leading ele-
menf an over the archipelago
IL 8 : notorious fact that few men Of
auv country surpasa the Chinamen In
ehiaity to properly estimate the leading
eharsctefistlc OF friend OF foe In View
a ~ above Il follows that u one
couIN ret from these celestiaIs the m
feruation they possess he would he en-
sahaed coFrectly 10 estimate the FiMplno
character. The army onscers have ffe-
.anently utilised the Chinaman's kn0wi-
cdge of the native and what ne VI
likely to Do thus anficipating Serious
sevents and fosestell!ns them.
sThousands Of Chinese returned to
Aupy when war was threatened. Over
a. 7GOo hare since passed throueh the
Anertcan Consulate and been permit.
~ 70 return to their business and
henee IN - Philippines. They were
frum every knoWn town and settlement
d ~ archipelaso. The wealthiest and
Ipading Chinese almost all returned TO
AWov % await the establishment Of
: lrsacs. Ihsy seft thslr nanaeers and
t1lG1yoo d charge q their business.
0o fnGg - there w. ofBnni1ed repet-
l1oa tISy rofused 10 return They con
stnntiv reee1ve Letters from frtends
Au6 sy1ey mt q he inaADds ndv1sang
IT, q tSo oundIfioae pCeyaiIng-
THen CnAhaDe sznigfAte n parties -
= e1ana 1hey e11ng togethef ano res-
1ow 1A96ov1ee 0f thelr e56efs = beeo-
- GS.s--,ra - - - 1,enAnaGu CnWQ 70
-. Un115S G1n1ss eonsa1ete 10 ebenle
fee g. 1la1lono neeenaSy to paM
theae 1Sn1ys Eb1ns 1eaAefs aFe fnvari-
~ Uun01tRs snenl11gant ana resgeetn-
- - Jf10 theD ! an enaeee4 -
- 80 - o1g1nf1eo - 20 H. re.