New-York tribune., 1900-03-20
BISHOPS VIEWS CHANGED.
DR.. POTTER AFTER HIS VISIT TO THE
PHILIPPINES SEES NO WAY OTHER
THAN TO HOLD THEM.


Bishop Potter spoke Interestingly yesterday of
his Journey around the world. In October last the
Bishop started for the East at the instance of the
General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal
Church for the purpose of examining into the op-
portunities for the extension of the work OF the
Church into the possessions of the United
States. In the course of his journey Bishop Pot
ter visited China, Japan and India, studying the
missionary conditions in those countries and the
methods that were pursued in seeking to Chris
tianize the Eastern people.
Recounting OF the observations he made
during his travels a Tribune reporter yesterday,
Bishop Potter said he believed the question OF the
future OF China would not be settled by Europe,
but by China itself with the aid OF Japan.
"The Japanese" he remarked, have learned the
art of warfare, and they have made overtures to
China for entente cordiale. which will bring the
administrations of the countries into more
kindly relations Japan has learned how to build
ships and to them. There better war
ships than those belonging to Japan, as we would
find out If had tackle Imagine the sit
uaton then. with Japan teaching China. with her
400 100000 people. the science OF warfare. NO.
neither England America Russia is going
to decide the perpleXing problems of the East
China ana Japan will settle them themselves
Bishop Potter frankly admitted that his views
upon the question of expansion had undergone a
change since his sojourn III the East, far the
retention of the Philippines concerned.
The holding Of these Islands, he said, has be-
come a purely academic question. The issue re-
lating to the holding of those islands has got be-
yond discussion Although the attitude of my mind
toward expansion in the abstract has not greatly
changed am convinced that must adhere to
possession OF the Philippines Time will settle
all the problems that confront in those islands,
and whatever the difficulties may be in store
nave ali the gifts that are called for to meet these
increased tasks and responsibilities. 1t is idle
10 indulge in any speculation az 10 what course
America ought to pursue with regard to the Philip
pines. What might have been done the day after
the battle OF Manila is a phase OF theorizng that
can have no place in practical considerations of to-
day We cannot put aside the responsibilities
we took upon ourselves. whether The outcome be
for the better or for the worse Apart from the
moral obligation Of carrying out the duty we have
imposed upon ourselves, the comfy of nations
quires that this country should keep It's control OF
the islands"
Speaking of his observations in the Philippines
the bishop spoke in terms Of the highest adninra-
ton OF the work of General Otis. Not only are
1here no grounds for the apparent disposition in
some quarters criticize General Otis" the Bishop
SAID but the credit has not been accorded to him
which ne deserves. The prudent methods he has
followed in coping With the situation in the Philip
pines nave been effective. The position he had to
contend with was somewhat in the nature of walk
ing on egss. He had to feel his way carefully and
deiicately, and TO slowly and cautiously. Had
great deal of niischiaf misht have haan nn1tsd
II especially impressed with the snland,d
4ualty ana character Of the troops out there The
western men particularly have covered themselves
with honor. The natives, generally speaking rec
ognlzs that the American soldiers are the guardians
or order, and that but for the protection which
tney receive rom the troops they would be de-
The natives are rapidly becoming accustomed to
tne new order OF things, and shovI every disposi-
tion 10 be friendly. Frequently as we walked
dIOhS the roads chl!jren would from the
only English words they kneT They sy1 are aS quick
where saw fully four hundred boys and giris al
Work, the Superinte nterdent told that learned
now 10 take care or a loom in six eeks. while It
TOOK an EngIShman or Scotchman six months
to become as competent. They seem to take
naturally 20 the confinement of the factory The
only hardship they have to endure arises from the
necessary precauton which forbds them smoking
In the factories. Ali the natives smoke and II
was amusing 10 them deposit their partially
consumed cigarettes in heap outside of the door
before going into the factory
In the ability OF the Filipinos govern them
selves Bishop Potter has little belief. His opinion
is that military adminstra ton is the best form
OF government for the islands from the present
outlook of things, because he explained even
X civil administration established il would
not be possible TO withdraw the soldiers from occu-
would be Imperative TO keep troops in the Philip
pines IN order to cope with the guerilla element
element which, Bishop Potter said, would be
eliminated for long period. The great mass OF
pathy with the guerilla warfare which was being
carried on, because the average Filipino sens-
Bile OF the fact that the advent Of the Americans
into the Islands would the development of
welbeing. Bishop Potter added that while he
IN Hong Kong he met some friends OF Aguinaldo
who tacitly admitted that their struggle against the
United States forces was entirely hopelese-