New-York tribune., 1901-03-03
TIE FILIPINO CHARACTER.
,r.s0NS FOR NATIVE DISLIKE OF
t-1-nICAN METHODS
--xeorsHrE n MANILA-A NEW WAY OF
PUTTING DOWN REBELLIoN-oUEs-
TIoN OF INTRODUCTION or
CHINESE LABOR
CHINESE LABOR

Manila Jan J Cspecia)-with the exception Of one
=. two Australian steamers and a new service be-
rssu Japan and India calling at Manila once
nth there are only small coastWise steamers of
@bo,t one thousanc tons and less keeping the
.,til,npine Islands n touch VITA the outside world
the UniJed states 'oN''''iei' service. ~ course
excepted.
-ba chinese Sea. especially between the Philip
,re Islands and the mainland Of Asia being the
to,,e for unonsoons and typhoons Of all sizes and
.oss tosses any ship even under normal coAdi-
,,ons from the moment the craft leaves the shelter
~ Hong-KonG Harbor until she Genes under the
lee OF LuZon. When the typhoons enter into
Manila Bay II takes days and days before even the
mail can be taken of brought on board. The
ooouettlsh. dainty little steamers-that is the way
they look when al anchOr-once in the trough of
me tremendous seas. perform the most extraor-
sina-v acrobauc feats, and often compel the weary
traveller without asking his consent TO do a turn
LUzoN FROM THE sEABoARD.
rr wonder that the sight Of land is welcome?
rs II astonishing that the sympathy Of our new
rossessions-I hope / may use this term to-day
without being banged in effigy-grows in proper
tion as Luzon offers protection from the vagaries
Of the rotous wavee
One IS involuntarlly reminded Of the Pacific Slope
between san Francisco and Portland. From dis
lance the tropical character of the flora does not
arnear-differeut in this respect from the Malacca
Peninsula or The islands Of the Straits Settlement
where the ce,oanut palm has put its stamp the
scenery and gives It typical aspect as far the
eve can see.
AtIast Corregidor Island looms up. One is hardly
justified to-day in speaking Of impregnable posi-
fions-they al have been taken by the enemy who
hsd pluck enough 10 Try. Yet Corregidor. the key
10 Manila Bay is a stronghold which ought to be
capable of keeping away any one II the possessor
Of II be so inclined.
Al CaEits the only convenient deep water harbor
IN Manila Bay. sheltered from all winds rides the
United States fleet at anchor. Charred and broken
rnssrs. twisted smokestacks and distorted huls
ererge from the smooth waters, their grim silhou-
eues standing out against the sky a memento
OF a never to be forgotten day.
STRICT MEASURES IN MANILA
Msnfa is still under martial law. The press CEN
sorship is as rigid as ever. Under the prevailing
circumstances. and as long the natives have not
been thoroughly famfliarized with American meth
ods Of newspaper polemics especially during polit-
teal campaigns. a discreet press is a necessary
evil When the Filipinos have learned that the
epithets OF "scoundrel," thief and assassin"
IN heavy black type. are used merely to denote
that a man belongs 10 different political party
from that upheld by some editor. there will be
more need OF press censor.
CAUSES OF NATIVE OPPOSITION.
The American giants. their immense army
mules and QUartormasters' equipment are sufficient
sources OF astonishmeat to the different little yell
low tribesmen TO comphcate matters. The Filipino
dees not understand the American. and. cOnse-
Quently. does not ike him. Besides there is an
other reason The TagaL who represents the dis
turbing element has never loved his master. !
theatre and the appearance on the stage Of the
Spanish Uniform applauded History shows sue
seSslEe 49, lSHoiIs U.s., dnG reoellons Isugated ny me
seine Ptop4e VINO profess Today 70 prefer Spanish
rule 10 the new taskmaster. The Spaniard and
his ways answered better 10 their own views than
ne American conception Of il: Feroeious, cruel
beyond expression. but polite, is the SpaniaTd; a
sucker tot etiquette, fond OF display, cutting your
lMeat Win reverence and robbing one of every
cent he mas with a SOFrOwful expression, giving
hard Tunes as an excuse.
TIE Americans are too big race for the little
I'm pno " SG fheiF aF mater OF fact ways appears 70
.ln @ ss Ihqlallled brutality: With American rule
presario are things Of the past II the United
dcGhteey. there viii be more than one little ac-
count 70 settle with the Filpinos-the debt viii be
settled BY steel and lead
BAD OUTLOOK FOR NATIVE LABOR
It was good fortune to be present one even
ing ar a discussion OF the Filipino among old resi-
dents OF Manila, who had travelled for years IN
ne interior uf Luzon. well the other islands
one OF The party was fun Of praise for the Filipino
ana MS personal experience justified his eulogy.
Anolhsr had sad tale of ruined crops and money
lost through the unrehability of the Filipino, the
Whole race. They came TO a conclusion which does
NOT oner a bright future for the native. They
agreed that the Filipino is unfit for regular work
be il on plantation or in a factory. Work has
70 ne oore n order 10 exploit the natural riches
- - - = al0S. phs View was that the ssiIleIneit
i-e lab't 'lteSllon could Only be erected through
Chinese immigration. which would mean, OF course.
tse deaia OF the native from an economical point
% % view Another remedy onered was by means
% the Introduction Of American agricultural
cLlheIy, winch would reduce the native labor TO a
Il is time for the Tagalos 20 reform. unless they
are 10 stand Ly their old idea OF having their
ing Of the numerous tights against the Spanish
RUE: Every new governor levies higher taxes; IL
we we ray We have TO starve. and We prefer to die
iehung than starving"