The Hawaiian gazette., 1900-05-25
The Property Owners Against War.

erouS, however, anu we Keep ciose
watch
The Property Owners Against War.
What classes OF the people are they
who are carrying ON the war? DO the
better classes really want to continue the
struggle?'
The war" replied the General, has
been largely fomented by the professional
politicians, fellows like Aguinaldo and
others who expected to make fortunes
out of the agitation. The richer Fiipinos
and, in fact, almost all of the property
owners, are tired of the struggle. They
don't want the Americans to leave them
to the mercy of their own people. They
have begged us to stay, saying that If
we go the result Will be anarchy, ending
in one or more of the Powers of Europe
stepping in and taking possession of the
islands. This is the feeling of many Fill
pinos who have taken part in the insur-
recIion. Mabini told me that this was
his view, and when | asked why in that
case he had been lighting US he replied
"'Oh! We are fighting for the best
terms we can get out of you We believe
that you would grant US more rights u
we fought for them.
Thought Americans Would Gave Up.
But. General" said /. did the Fill
pinos really believe that they could sue
Cessiully resist us?
Yes. / think some of them aid, re-
piled General Otis. They thought they
now, and some come to me ana beg me
to not allow the Government to take the
soldiers away from the country. l tell
them they need have no fear of that; at
least not as long as the war lasts, and
that when the Americans make war they
may rely upon 1t that they Will all stick
together until they have Conquered"
Not Fit to Govern Themselves.
What do you think of these people as
prospective high grade American citi-
zens, General? Are they at all fl "a gov
ern themselves?'
they will be what you can call high
grade citizens" replied General Otis.
They are not now fit TO govern them
selves and will not be for a long time.
They might perhaps be awarded certain
liberties of government under our Girec-
ton, but to their conducting "A repub-
lie themselves and honestly administer
ing the government, that is at present an
impossibility."
"Why?" l asked.
1T is an impossibility from the nature
and education of the people," said Cen
eral Otis. They have been trained un-
corruption. They have little idea of
truth between man and man as to politi-
cal and official acts. Why, have often
had two prominent Filipinos counseling
with me over some important matter
Each would assent to the statement of
the other, and j would think them in per-
feet accord, but later on each would come
privately to me and tell me not TO trust
the other.
1.-The Filipinos have been accustomed to
bribing and being bribed, and they can't
get rid of the idea that that is the only
way to accomplish results. We have tried
them here in the custom house and else
where and found that they have system
atically cheated the Government and
pocketed the proceeds. / had, for in
stance, n father and son OF a good family
in the customs. / sent the son to act as
one of the customs officers OF Cebu. !
soon found that the father and son were
in collusion and that they were sending
in false manifests and thereby stealing
thousands OF dollars. l dismissed them,
of course.
I'VE have to keep a close watch on our
al Otis, "er we should be robbed right
and left, for we shave many native en-
ployes. The result of our watchfulness is
that the customs receipts are now greater
in proportion than ever before"
No Carpetbaggers Wanted.
How would civil government of
American statesmen do for the island,
General?" said j.
General Otis replied: Il don't think we
want the American politician or states
man, as you call him, for long time yet,
II ever. If the United States organizes a
civil service for the Philippines 1t should
be one carefully chosen, well paid and not
affected to any extent by home politics.
Care should be taken to get honest men,
for the dishonest official would have great
opportunities for fraud of all kinds. You
cannot conceive the possibilities the Off
Gals of the past here had in the way of
lining their pockets. Why i could make
100000 within the next three weeks If I
wanted to use my office for my own prof
II These people are accustomed 10 birth
cry. They expect to pay for everything,
and are surprised that they are not asked
to do so. They cannot realize that n1.
ms ln hnpacfV'l Ea
A Military Government Necessary.
II think the military government should
be kept here for a couple OF years. These
people need government that Will gov
ern, and that arbitrarily. They need II
to protect themselves. There are all kinds
Of schemes and schemers to contend with.
The Flipinos themselves are very cum
ming. They know how TO corner the
markets and how to raise and lower
prices They would do so on meat and
other staple articles If l did not prevent
them, We have, your know, the right to
40 cents pound by a stroke of my pen"
when you have thoroughly pacitied
the islands will they stay paciiled, or will
we have continual rebellions, as in the
South American countries?"
IL fear there Will be occasional rebel
lions" was the reply. THE Tagalos are
natural politicians and schemers. They
are revolutionary in their tendencies, and
them who will foment trouble for their
own personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT and profit"
Give me some idea of Aguinaldo, Gen
aTal. Is he a strong man?"
NO" said General Otis. 81 do not con-
slider Aguinaldo man of force or patriot
SIM He Is a silent fellow, and has gotten
a reputation for wisdom by keeping his
mouth shut. He has shown by his ac-
liens that he has little personal bravery, |
and that he also went into the war for
what he could make out of 1t. i believe
Mabini TO be the stronger man OF the two.
have him now under surveillance here
n Manila. For a time i even permitted
him to write for the papers, but he began
20 attack the United States Government,
and 1 had to stop him."
"a Word About the Friars.
How about the friars?" asked
II can't say just what will be done as
% church matters. The question OF the
rjars is one of the most serious ones we
nave TO settle. Archbishop Chappelle
kinks he will be able TO arrange II so
hos ha.H mill H.. .ll -.