The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-10


moralize and theorize-do. Fix your plan,
let all know definitely just what II is. and
then execute IL firmly, vigorously The
natives understand strength anu justice or
injustice. That is as far as they have
got. Don't palaver with them. Treating
with them they construe as fear. Don't be
academic"
VIEWS OF A MESTIZO.
A highly educated and bright Spanish
Mestizo, claiming to be pure Filipino, en-
ployed in Iloilo said: mo one can tell
when the fighting will cease. 1t all de-
ponds 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 lighting 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 relation between the
Philippine islands and people of the United
States is that of a protectorate. The lead
ers absolutely control the people. a man
of property expects his working people to
have the same opinion as he has. l do
myself. 1t is, perhaps, true that the
masses do not understand what self-gov-
eminent means. 1 think that there are
enough capable and educated men among
our people to control government, but L
do not believe that the great mass OF the
people are at all fitted for self-government
now, and will not be for a long time. You
should have uniform laws over the entire
archipelago. If you have one thing at one
place and another at another place, each
will think and say that the other is better
treated. and you will have constant and
serious disturbance. Already the people of
this island are very angry because Negros
is given United States constitution. That
g a mi CT 10 -frraar
Select your plan and execute il. English
ought TO be made the language of the is
lands"
A rich planter of Panay, pure Filipino,
but moderate in views, said: 1.-The common
people have no opinions, and are not cap
able of voting. If the Filipinos established
a government of course the property and
educated class would, beyond doubt run
such government. Not more than Is per
cent of the people are fitted to take part
in the selection of public officers. The peo-
pie are at present incapable of self-govern-
ment, though they might be entrusted with
purely municipal affairs. Establish pre-
cisely the same laws through the archipela-
go. English should be universally taught.
The common people know and care nothing
about self-governrnent or any other gov
eminent. They are principally interested
in simply living. Self-government can only
mean government by the upper classes"
A prominent Spanish MestiZo, of Negros,
said: You may be long time subduing
this instruction. The people are not yet
capable of self-government in the archi-
pelago 1t is well, though, to trust them
with municipal administration, provided
everything is under your final supervision.
The proposition to have the same CONNER
cial laws everywhere is too plain for ar
gument. The climate is not bad at all.
You see that for yourself. 1t is very cool
here, you see, this evening. My own health
had been excellent, and is now There is
very little sickness among the English
here. The island of Negros is far ahead
n in hn nf ffc
people. Our chief desire now is to get ut
terly away from Spanish customs, laws
and traditions. think we are quite cap
able of self-government under American
protection. If the Philippine islands are
made into federal system we would ex-
pect to be one of the States. Certainly we
can manage the local affairs of the island
Exclusive of the savages of the mountains.
I should say that four or five per cent
Of the people are now capable of intelli-
gently voting. l think the voting should
be by those who own property, can read
and write, or are established householders
and heads of families. with definite resi-
dences. / would find out who should vote
by having committee in each town make
out a list, and then notify the ones chosen.
Certainly, ! would expect the common peo-
pie to follow the advice of the leaders and
vote for whom the leaders said. L should
think my own employees would take my
view of a situation. If you give us a gov
eminent where justice is administered
without corruption or delay, property pro-
tected without fee, free speech insured
commercial language provided the people
will be satisfied. Spain did none of this,
but the reverse. That is, and was, our
complaint English should be Immediately
made the language of the whole archipela-
GO / do not think the same political laws
should prevail throughout the islands. One
place should have laws adapted to tan
other laws adapted to 1t. The reason for
this is that the people of the various is
lands are of different degrees of culture.
OF course, though, think the whole archi-
pelago a commercial unit"
ENGLISH SHOULD BE ADOPTED.
pure Filipino and large planter of Ne
gros said: 81 have working for me about
four hundred men. They are good, aver
age examples of the common people of the
island. I should say that not over or
per cent. of them are capable of self
government, or in any true sense under
stand the term. If the ballot were given
them, or even if it were restricted to those
or per cent, should expect them to
| vote as the leaders might Indicate 1 think
| the English language should be imme-
| diately adopted throughout the entire
archipelago. 1t would simplify matters in
| calculably. No, do not believe the same
| laws should prevail everywhere. We, of
| Negros, are more cultivated than in Panay.
| We deserve better laws"
A very large planter and influential, but
unreliable man of Negros, claiming to be
| pure Filipino but with some Chinese blood,
said: 1.-THE climate is most excellent. The
| wealth of these islands is beyond magma
| ton. We have only begun to develop our
resources. For example, we have not
touched our minerals practically. Lands
you see yonder are really better for agri-
cultural purposes than this low, fat coast
land. No, ii is not yet occupied and the
| title to it is still in the government
| have several American plows. They do good
work. We don't use more because they
OF nnf hynrr Cyht To fhn IL
| has served cur purpose, and our inertia
1 fort is necessary. Yes, enterprising agencies
would sell many plows have several car
riages made in America. 1 have from 1000
4 to 1,500 men working for me. OF these,
| practically all are capable of self-govern-
| ment. Would they vote as i wished? Most
| assuredly they would. By all means make
| English the language of these islands as
speedily possible 1t will Increase COM
| merce, and get us further away from the
| old and hated regime. / regard these
| islands as a commercial unit, and think
uniform laws should prevail throughout
| the archipelago Your young men could
| enormously rich. You need not fear that
| we leaders would be able to control cleo
| tons. The government itself would nomi-
| nate all the officers or candidates; so you
| see the people would have to vote for
| good men. What would / do If any man
| spoke against or criticised the government?
| Why, anyone rising against the govern
ment would be tried and shot If con-
| demned.''
| prominent Filipino of Cebu 1.-The
| Island of Cebu can yield greatly more