The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-04
TALKS ABOUT
PHILIPPINES.
Senor legarda Is In Favor Of
American Control
He IS A LEADING FILIPINO.
Says His CuuatUmsn Seek Z Civil Govern.
msnt, and Hs FsrstslIs % Early End.
10 AA Troubles.
Ne IS A LEADING FILIPINO.

senor Benito Legarda, a wealthy Fill
pino cigar manufacturer. who was at
one time secretary OF the treasury In
Aguinaldos cabinet is In this country.
He has been on trip around the world.
lie expects 10 spend month or two In
travel In the United states before re-
turning to his home I'm Manila.
Senior Legarda is a firm believer In the
necessity for American sovereignty In
the Philippines. and at the same time he
Is loyal to his own people.
He does not think that they are capa-
BILE OF governing themselves, but he does
believe that with a Just administration.
such as the United States will give them
under conditions OF peace. they will
eventually become just rs good. capable,
iaw-abiding citizens as this country has
anywhere.
Senor Legarda has been friendly with
the Americans ever since Dewey crushed
the Spaniards.
He knew Aguinaldo before the insurrec-
ton and went into his cabinet as secrc-
tary OF the treasury In June. 1898.
Two months later Gen. Merritt landed
In Manila In December, 1888. Legarda
learned that Aguinaldo was scheming To
set up an independent government and
he resigned from the cabinet At the
same time he kept up friendly relations
with the insurgents.
lie sympathized with them az Fiiipinos.
but he did not let the national ideal, sud
denly aroused BY the expulsion OF the
Spaniards. TO blind him to the bald fact
that the Filipinos were not lifted for
sovereignty.
A MAN OF GREAT WORTH.
SO he became acquainted with Gen.
Ois. Judge Taft and other members or
the Philippine commission and won their
confidence. His influence with his own
people was large and he did much to al
lay in them their suspicion of the good
faith OF the commission. Thus he has
stood as one OF the connecting links be-
tween the Americans and his countrymen
who believed that absolute Independence
was the oountry's goal. He had trav-
eIed much.
He had been In Europe and tho United
States. He spoke English. He had
studied the spirit OF our institutions as
Well as their forms and the work OF con-
ciliation and pacihcation was largely aid
ed by his influence.
While Gen. Otis was still in command
i'm the Philippines there was a club In
Manila, which was called III Club Inter-
nacional." Most OF Its members we're in
surgents at least In spirit.
The organization incurred the hostility
OF Gen. Otis. There was danger that 10
would be suppressed. Knowing Senior
Legarda's strength with the Americans.
the insurgent element besought him 10
accept the clubs presidency.
They wanted N disa RIM sugpicipu He
consented to take the place on the con-
dition that the club should be purely
cial I'm its character. and that all its in
come. over and above expenses, should
be set aside for the sending OF Filipino
orphans to the United States to be edu-
Gated
The condition was satisfactory, and Sc
nor Legarda became the clubs presl-
dent. There are already three Filipinos
at the University OF Michigan supported
by the club. and others are To be sent.
GOOD LOYAL AMERICANS.
In speaking OF the situation in the
Philippines. Senior Legarda says:
THE Filipinos are a capable people.
They have moral bases which few races
can boast Of They learn quickly. They
want To do the right thing, hut they have
much To learn. Give them the opportun-
ity and they will learn and they will be-
come good loyal Americans.
THE people see this now themselves.
They are willing that American sover-
eighty shall be maintained. They want
peace. They have been harried by their
own people and they are tired. But they
90 no want a continuance OF q military
administration.
"No people IKE 70 be governed by rili-
tary. rule. They want The establishment
of a civil Administered tion backed up by
a ~. III
military force must continue. not only to
do police duty. hut fight on until the last
spark OF insurrection shall be quclled.
With civil government. this would take
rut n short time.
THE whole archipelago would soon be
pacined without a civil government. a
great many soldiers and long time will
be necessary before pacihcation.
II say this with the highest apprecia-
ton OF the great work which the mill
tary government has hitherto done
THE average Filipino does not hate
the average American He hates the sol
dier soldier more than he hates him
as an American.
There has not been among the Ameri-
con soldiers that inuate love
for cruelty. for blood-ietting that was so
Characteristic OF the Spaniards and
which caused them 10 be brutal for bru-
taiity's sake.
II am sure that with a civil admins
tration, paclhcation will shortly follow;
that the Filipinos will become good, loyal
Americans that they will all learn Eng
lish, for even now they are eager 10
speak a.; that they will send their best
young men to this country to be educat-
cd and learn American ways. and that in
time they will be capable OF governing
themselves"
CONGRESS- IN SESSION.