Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-16
CHINESE PROBLE M
An Important Item Of Administering
the Philippines.
REPORTS FROM ARMY OFFICERS
Gen. Macarthur Urges the Con-
tinued Exclusion of Cinnamon.
FILIPINO LABOR RELIABLE


In the course Of his annual report as mill
itary governor Of the Philippines. Gen.
Macarthur dwells upon the important SUBJ
ject of the status Of the Chinese In the
archipelago. He says:
Geographically. the Philippine archi-
pelago Is. in effect. part Of the Asiatic con-
dnent, and as q consequence In such close
contact with China that economic, political
and military questions must be in process OF
never-ending adjustment between the con-
flicting interests involved AS a matter Of
fact, one Of the most important questions
presented for American consideration since
the occupation has arisen from the neces-
sity of determining an administrative pol
Icy In respect OF Chinese immigration.
Notwithstanding the vast extent OF
China, it is so populous that the people.
under primitive methods Of production, are
constantly encroaching on the means of
fight against nature to keep themselves
alive. AS a matter of policy however,
Chinese rulers have always tried to re-
strict emigration, but In spite Of every OBJ
stacle. both of law and prejudice, thou
sands annually leave the empire to escape
the consequences of poverty. Under these
restrictions, the most INDECENT only leave
the country to seek a livelihood; but as
elementary moral education is generally
dinused among all the people Of China, the
most noticeable features Of Chinese la
borers abroad are sober and orderly habits
and general physical fitness for hard work
They are Industrious and ingenious, SUBJ
missive and obedient to their own SUPERB
ors. and easily accommodate themselves to
all the exigencieS of climate and the gen.
erai aspects of nature in foreign countries
Although at present absolutely incapable
Of organizing on a large scale for political
purposes at home. they have solved many
Of the minor problems relating to economic
cooperation. especially Of cooperative pro-
lection and production.
Menace to the FilipinOs.
'Such a people, largely endowed as they
are, with fnexhaustibfe fortitude and deter
mination, If admitted to the archipelago In
any considerable numbers during the FORM
alive period which is now in process OF
evolution, would soon have direct or indi-
rect control Of pretty nearly every pro-
ductive interest, to the absolute exclusion
alike of Filipinos and Americans.
This view is stated with considerable
emphasis, as unmistakable indications are
apparent of organized and systematic eff
forts to break down all barriers, with
view to unrestricted Chinese immigration,
for the purpose Of quick and effective ex-
ploitation of the islands, policy which
would not only be ruinous to the Filipino
people, but would in the end surely defeat
the expansion of American trade to it's
natural dimensions, In what is obviously
one Of its most important channels. In
this connection it may not be improper to
state that one of the greatest difficulties
attending military efforts to tranquillize
the people of the archipelago arises from
their dread Of sudden and excessive ex-
ploitation which they fear would defraud
them Of their natural patrimony. and at
ha M oil fo IN q
social and political inferiority.
Filipinos Are Good Workmen.'
Reiterated assertions to the effect that
native labor in the Philippines Is unreliable
must be accepted as coming almost exclu-
sively from Europeans. who primarily are
exploiters, pure and simple, and, as such,
have absolutely no interest in the islands
beyond the immediate realization of enor-
nous profits. Under the old system the
wages Of labor were too small to establish
anything like sense of self-interest on the
part of employees. and as a consequence
solicitude for the interests Of employers
did not exist. and workmen, as a rule. were
indifferent as to their own constant en-
ployment and had little concern about the
future, as their own wishes or interests
were never consulted. American expert
ence SO far as public employees are con-
Of the Europeans. On the contrary, 1T has
been found that when properly paid the
Filipino is precisely like any other man
and holds on to good place by reason Of
fidelity and faithful service.
Chinese Immigrants Excluded.
"In view Of the foregoing premises the
military administration has rigidly enforced
regulations excluding Chinese immigration
from the islands; not In spirit of HOSTILE
ty. but in pursuance Of instincts Of self
preservation. Individually a Chinaman rep
IL
ways command respect and win admira-
ton, but in their organized capacity In the
Philippines the Chinese represent an eco
nomical army. without allegiance or at
tachment to the country. and which, to q
great extent, Is beyond the reach Of insuIar
authority. :
"They are bent upon commercial con-
quest, and as those In the islands already
represent an innumerable host at home
even restricted immigration would repre-
sent serious menace.
1.-The ultimate interests Of America in the
east depend so much on a correct solution
of this problem that the attitude Of the
military government In respect thereof is
respectfully submitted with request for
very careful consideration Of the same, and
further action Is recommended In the prem
ises. looking to gradual decrease Of the
Chinese now in the islands, which might
be partially accomplished by prohibiting
the return Of all individuals who have been
absent for six months, or hereafter may
dLlSeHI- themselves ITOul the lSlduuS, ana re-
main so absent for the same time
FilfpinOs Better Than Chinese.
In the report of Capt Thomas Swobe,
chief quartermaster, submitted by Gen.
Macarthur, occur the following remarks on
the same subject:
Zone hears a great deal of the necessity
of introducing Chinese labor into these is
lands to meet the demands Of commerce.
1t has been my experience that any labor
which can be performed by the Chinese can
be performed equally well by the -Filipinos.
The latter moreover, have marked advan-
are more amenable to discipline, more imi-
tatfve In their methods, more enthusiastic
In their work for the work itself and more
easily assimilated by American workmen.
While most Of the coal Is unloaded In this
office by Chinese labor, employed by con-
tractors, yet all the loading of coal from
this Office Is done by Filipino workmen at