The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-12-03

| u
| achieve the temperamental qualities with
out which the institutions Of free govern
| ment are but an empty mockery. Our
| people arc now successfully governing
themselves because for more than
| thousand years they have been slowly
| fitting themselves. sometimes consciously.
| sometimes unconsciously, toward this
| end. What has taken us 20 generations
| TO achieve, we cannot expect to see an
| other race accomplish out OF hand, es-
| pccially when large portions OF that race
| start very far behind the point which our
ancestors had reached even 30 generations
| ago.
| In dealing with the Philippine people
/ We must show both patience and
| strength, forbearance and steadfast reso-
luton. Our aim is high. We do not de-
| sire to do for the islanders merely what
| has elsewhere been done for tropic pco-
| Piles by even the best foreign govern
| ments We hope TO do for them what has
| never before been done for any people OF
the tropics--to make them At for self
| government after the fashion OF the real
| Iy free nations
| History may safely be challenged to
| show single instance I'm which mas
! terful race such 8 ours having been forced
| by the exieencies OF war 10 take pos
| session Of an alien land has behaved 10
| its Inhabitants with the disinterested zeal
| for their progress that our people have
| shown i'm the Philippines. TO leave the
! Islands at this time would mean that they
would fall into the welter OF murderous
| anarchy.
| Such desertion OF duty on our part
| would be a crime against humanity. The
| character OF Governor Taft and or his
associates and subordlnates Is proof,
! II such be needed, OF the sincerity OF our
effort 10 give the islanders constantly
| increasing measure OF self-eovernment,
exactly as fast as they show themselves
4 III TO exercise IT, Since the civil govern
| nent was established not an appointment
| has been made in the islands with any
! reference to considerations of political
| influence, or 20 aught else save the fitness
| OF the man and the needs OF the service.
In our anxiety for the welfare and
| progress of the Philippines. IL may he
| that here and there we have gone too
rapidly I'm giving them local self-goyern-
ment. Ii is on this side that our error,
! IL any. has been committed No compe-
tent observer, sincerely desirous of ind
ing out the facts and influenced only
! by a desire for the welfare OF the natives.
/ can assert that We have not gone far
! enough. We have gone TO the very verge
! of safety in Fastening the process. To
| have taken a single step farther or faster
! I'm advance would have been folly and
weakness. and might well have been
! crime. We are extremely anxious that
the nations shall show the power of
! governing themselves. We are anxious,
| first for their sakes. and next, because IL
| relieves us OF great burden. There need
I not be the slightest fear OF our not con-
| tinuing TO give them all the liberty for
which they are At.
TROUBLES STILL AHEAD.
The only fear is lest in our overanxiety
| we give them a degree of independence
| for which they are unit, thereby inviting
reaction and disaster. As fast as there
is any reasonable hope that I'm a given
! district the people can govern themselves,
| self-government has been given in that
| district. There is not locality fitted for
self-government which has not received
| H. But Il may we'll be that in certain
| cases II will have to he Withdrawn because
: the inhabitants show themselves unfit TO
| exercise it: such instances have already
| occurred In other words, there is not the
1 slightest chance or our failing 10 show
| sufficiently humanitarian spirit. The
| danger comes in the opposite direction.
| There are still troubles ahead in the
! islands The insurrection has become an
| affair OF local banditti and marauders,
| who deserve no higher regard than the
| brisands of portions OF the Old World.
4 encouragement, direct or indirect, TO
| these insurrcctos stands on the same foot
| ing as announcement TO hostile Indians
! i'm the DAYS when we still had Indian
\ wars. Exactly as our aim is to give TO
| the Indian who remains peaceful the full
! est and amplest consideration, but TO have
| IL understood that We will show no weak
| ness If he goes on the wsrpath. we
1 must make it evident. unless we are
! false TO our own traditions and To the
|, demands OF civilization and humanity,
| that while we will do everything In our
power for the Filipino who is peaceful,
| We will take the sternest measures with
| the Filipino who follows the path OF the
| nsurrecto and the ladrone.
| The heartiest praise is due To large
| numbers OF the natives Of the islands
! for their steadfast loyalty. The Macabe-
| bes have been conspicuous for their cour-
! age and devotion TO the flag. ] recon-
! mend that the secretary of war be en-
! powered to take some systematic action
! I'm the way OF aiding those OF these men
! who arc crippled In the service and the
| families OF those who are killed.
The time has come when there should
| he additional legislation for the Philip
pines. Nothing better can be done for
the islands than 10 introduce industrial
| enterprises Nothing would benefit them
| so much as throwing them open to indus
| enterprises. Nothing would benefit
! therf--o- rfftt+i.- -as throwing -thern-open TO
! industrial development. The connection
| between idleness and mischief Is proven
4 biAl, and inc opportunity w ~
! tive work Is one Of the siirest preventiVee
! Of war. or course no business man will
! go into the Philippines unless II is to his
! interest Ia do SO. and u Is immensely
10 the interest OF the islands that he
| should 60 In -s
! IL Is therefore necessary that the con-
srcss should psss laws by which the re-
sources Of the islands can he developed
50 that franchises for limited terms Of
| years. can he granted 10 companies doing
/ business in them. and every encourage.
| mcnt he given 10 tho incoming or busi-
I ness mon OF every kind.
Not 60 permit this Is to do a wrong 20
tho Philippines. The franchises must be
granted and tho business permitted only
! under regulations which will guarantee
the islands against any kind of improper
| exploitation. But the vast natural wealth
Of the islands mus he developed. and the
/ capital willing 10 develop IL must be given
! the opportunity. Tho field must he
thrown open to individual enterprise.
which has been the real factor In the de-
/ vclopmcnt Of every region over which our
/ lag has flown. IL IL urgently necessary
To enact suitable laws dealing with gem
| eral transportation. mining banking. cur