New-York tribune., 1901-10-07

,..ns and one things designed to allure the
.,,,er in Paris proclaim the simplicity and
:. French family life. The number of
0N, indeed who might be classed as edu-
feofs o- even the number of those who consider
CO.., o,,-as educated, which is not altogether
-.-,a thing is ininitesimally small in pro-
' ~, IN the entire population of the islands.
.,,hbishop OF Manila estimates the Filipino
,,stion-leaving out Of consideration the
I,ca trfbes-at about seven millions. The
on.s educated element, in his opinion, does not
Unit TO six thnusand-less than l per cent.
=, excludes, of course, those who know only
-, m read and write, and includes those who
- had college education or those who have
..ven a secondary school course. Now. when
-, consider that this element is at present to
:. so,,ud solely in Manila. and that even in the
e,anish days 1t was only on very rare occasions
-. IN the provinces you encountered culture
.s,5e of the convent, it may serve perhaps to
,sure the distance that separates the edu-
..s Filipino from his illiterate brother in the
-. naddies. Hazy as the notions of the former
-.v be regarding political liberty, self-govern-
-,snd the public welfare, they are as food
= reht compared with the Hercynian darkness
a. which the mind OF the average Filipino ioun-
ss-s ainlessly about. The possibility of a mi
,-stv living under the rule of a majority and
.,ioving the same rights is puzzle beyond his
.,teIligence TO fathom. There cannot be the
slightest doubt that the great mass of Filpinos
,o-day conceive political liberty to be the right
q, the majority TO rule and imprison cut the
,b-oats Of the minority. To what other use po-
rtioel power could be put they do not stop TO
ask themselves.
The absence of all historical traditions and the
reek Of common language account in a meas
,-e Of course, for the fact that there is no
ruipino literature without literature it is diff
rrt 10 see how the growth Of a national charac-
Ger could have been stimulated. The vague as
,,-stions and longings Of Rizars heart. recorded
IN "Nol me tangere," are in no sense an ex-
nression Of Filipino thought. They disclose the
workings Of an individual mind, sngularly pure
and responsive TO everything noble and elevat-
.ng but not by the widest stretch OF the in1ag-
nation could they be classed those of repre-
sentative FiIipinos. One hears good deal OF
the Tagalos and Visayans being superior
races-superior in the sense that their traits of
character permit a comparison with those OF
-heir Spanish conquerors. The abyss which
separated the two from the Spaniards in the
past and from Us at the present moment is indi-
Gated in the almost total absence from their lam
suage Of terms expressing abstract ideas.
ssRevolutiou" and "insurrecto" for instance are
taken from the Spanish. The word "republi
can" would require in Tagalos a sentence to de-
scribe f. Even such words as God" and re
,ision" are borrowed from the language of the
invader.
LAND OF CONTRADICTIONS
A country in which the sound OF pianos is
heard in nipa huts; where ragged brass bands
murder Wagner by the roadside: where
tconplished astronomer is idolized for his per-
soual virtues no less than for his scientific at
tainments; where the ever patient caribou-that
most valuable Of domestic aninlals-aH but sits
al the family table; where the Roman Catholic
Church has lost none Of its influence. though Its
fria-s have been hunted like wild beasts and
dare not set foot again amid the scenes OF their
former activity; where women wear $4,000
worth Of iewelry around their necks. but scorn
10 ,ucase their legs In stockngs-such coun
t-v say may reasonably be considered 10 be
fun Of surprises. If not contradictions. And If,
IN attempting to analyze the Filipino character,
you should in the end be compelled TO admit
that four years OF study would in all probability
bring you no nearer a satisfactory solution than
four weeks OF intercourse with people who have
lived among Filipinos all their lives, you are
entitled to share the merits at least of candid
confession.
Governor Taft is opunaist, but not an un-
reasonable one. He comes IN contact with a
tions He ought TO be competent Judge Of
Filipino character. II any one is. Recognizing
all the defects and shortcomings Of their char
acter he yet looks with confidence into the
future How is any one, though, TO reconcile his
views with those Of the Judge-Advocate OF the
visayas no less competent Judge Of Filipino
character, perhaps, than the Governor.
do you want any one murdered to-night?"
casually remarked Captain Glenn Of the 25th
Infantry, the other day at Iloilo.
confess I was rather startled by the in
curry. but I managed TO retain my self-control
and TO reply with an air Of languid Indifference:
Not that I know Of. No. not tonight, 1
think. why?"
Oh" said the captain. taking another puff
al his cigar. because it's very cheap. The reg
ular market rate Just is s. Mexican. For
that figure I can get anybody murdered inside
OF twenty-four hours. Have another cigar?"
He was perfectly serious; and probably right.
rather uncomfortable phase Of the Filipino
character. though. isn't it?" NJ. g. >