Evening star., 1901-12-03

Philippines than ever before in their his
tory.
1t is no light task for a nation to achieve
the temperameatal qualities without which
the institutions of free government are but
an empty mockery- Our people are now
successfully governing themselves. because
for more than thousand years they have
been slowly fitting themselves, sometimes
consciously. sometimes unconsciously, to-
ward this end. What has taken US thirty
generators to achieve, we cannot expect
TO see another race accomplish out of hand,
especially when large portions of that race
start very far behind the point which our
ancestors had reached even thirty genera
tions ago. In dealing with the Philippine
people we must show both patience and
strength, forbearance and steadfast resolu-
ton. Our aim is high. We do not desire to
do for the islanders merely what has else
where been done for tropic peoples by even
the best foreign governments. We hope to
do for them what has never before been
done for any people of the tropics-to make
them fit for seIf-government after the
fashion of the really free nations.
History may safely be challenged to show
a single instance in which a masterfyl race
such as ours having been forced by the ext
gencies of war to take possession of an alien
land, has behaved to it's inhabitants with
the disinterested zeal for their progress that
our people have shown in the Philippines
To leave the islands at this time would
mean that they would fall into a welter of
murderous anarchy. Such desertion of duty
on our part would be a crime against hui
manity. The character of Governor Taft
and of his associates and subordinates is
proof. if such be needed, of the sincerity of
our effort to give the ISLANDERS a constantly
Increasing measure of self-government, ex-
actly as fast as they show themselves fit to
exercise IL. Since the civil government was
established not appointment has been
made in the islands with any reference to
considerations of political influence, or to
aught else save the fitness of the man and
the needs of the service.
In our anxiety for the welfare and prog
ress of the Philippines. 1t may be that here
and there we have gone too rapidly in CIV
ing them local self-government. 1t Is on
this side that our error, if any, has been
committed. No competent observer, sin
cerely desirous of finding 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 In
advance would have been folly and weak
ness, and might well have been crime We
are extremely anxious that the natives
shall show the power Of governing them
selves. We are anxious, first for their
sakes, and next. because it relieves US of
great burden. There need not be the slight
est fear of our not continuing to give them
all the liberty for which they are fit.
The only fear is lest in our overanxiety
we give them degree of independence for
which they are unfit. thereby inviting reac-
tfon and disaster. AS fast as there is any
Reasonable hope that in given district the
people can govern themselves, self-govern-
ment has been given in that district. There
is not locality fitted for self-government
which has not received it. But 1t may well
be that in certain cases 1t will have to be
withdrawn because the inhabitants show
themselves unfit to exercise it; such in
Stances have already occurred. In other
words. there is not the slightest chance of
our failing to show a sufficiently humani-
tartan spirit The danger comes in the op-
pCsite direction.
There are still troubles ahead in the is
lands The insurrection has become an af-
fair of local banditti and marauders, who
deserve no higher regard than the brigands
VI poA tLOHS u the Olu w OTIU ENCOURAGE
ment. direct or indirect, to these insur-
rectos stands the same footing as en-
couragement to hostile Indians in the days
when we still had Indian wars. Exactly as
Our aim is to give to the Indian who re-
mains peaceful the fullest and amplest con-
sideratiOn. but to have 1t understood that
We will show no weakness if he goes on the
warpath, so We must make 1t evident I'M
less we are false to our own traditions and
to the demands of civilization and human
tty, 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 In
Eurrecto and the ladrone.
The heartiest praise is due to large num-
bers of the natives of the islands for their
eteadfast loyalty. The Macabebes have
been conspicuous for their courage and de-
yotion to the flag. I recommend that the
Secretary OF War be empowered to take
Some systematic action In the way of aid
Ing those OF these men who are crippled In
the service and the families of those who
are killed
The time has come when there should be
additional legislation for the Philippines
Nothing better can be done for the islands
than TO introduce Industrial enterprises
Nothing would benefit them so much as
throwing them open to industrial develop
ment- The connection between fdleness and
mischief Is proverbial. and the opportunity
10 do remunerative work Is one of the sur
est preventives of war. OF course no busf-
ness man will go into the Philippines un-
less it Is to his interest to do 50; and It is
immensely TO the interest OF the islands
that he should go IN 1t Is therefore neces-
sary that the Congress should pass laws by
which the resources OF the islands can be
Developed; so that franchises (for limited
terms Of years. can be granted to COM
panies doing business in them, and every
encouragement be given to the incoming of
business men of every kind
Not to permit this is TO do a wrong to the
Philippines The franchises must be grant
ed and the business permitted only under
regulations which Will guaAntee the is
lands against any kind of improper exploit
tation- But the vast natural wealth of the
Islands must be developed, and the capital
willing to develop it must be given the op-
pOrtuutty. The field must be thrown open
individual N ,rhIo