Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-29
Friars and Franchises.

Secretary Roots supplementary report on
the Philippines offers two of the most i'm
pOrtant opportunities for legislation at the
coming session of Congress. which will be
presented in any line of the governments
needs. The process of establishing Amerf-
can sovereignty over the islands has now
progressed to such extent that 1t Is
necessary to look to the settlement OF
standing problems not Immediately connect
ed with pacification.- The institution of
civil government to replace the military rule
has proceeded far enough to Justify the de-
parture. Seventy per cent of the people
are now thus governed and the remainder
will doubtless shortly be included in this
category.
The paramount question In the Philippines
Is the disposal of the lands of the friars.
These lands were one of the causes of ma
tive dissatisfaction with Spanish rule. They
represented extortion and the dominance Of
the priestly organizations in the govern
ment of the islands. The Taft commission
has reached the sensible conclusion that
the lands should be bought by the govern
ment. in cases where the title of the re-
ligious orders is good. and then placed upon
the market for purchase or lease by the
natives so that they may be put to the
fullest possible use at once without causing
a drain upon the resources of the people.
Secretary Roots recommendation follows
precisely this line and leads to the sug-
gestion that the general government fur
nish the funds for such purchase, to be
replaced by the proceeds of the sales
Such a solution would be just to both
sides. the friars and the natives. 1t would
put many thousands of the people in the
way of becoming landowners and prosper
Gus in consequence This is sure step to-
ward entire pacification. for when the peo-
pie are busy and gain by their labor they
are not likely to affiliate with the brigand
bands which now represent the remainder
of the insurrection. The same is true In
Industrial lines. The islands today need a
certain amount of exploitation in order to
develop their resources giving employment
to the natives and yielding a profit which
will find its way into Philippines trade.
The legislation necessary to permit the
exploitation of the islands by private par
ties must be carefully considered despite
the reasons for prompt action. Naturally
the first hope of the people of this country
Is that the opportunities for the opening of
the resources of these islands be first laid
before Americans. Ours have been the
sacrifices. ours are the paramount inter-
ests there. Ours therefore is the largest
stake and ours should be the best chance.
In order to ensure this care will be neces-
sary to prevent the swamping Of American
prospectors by those of other nations par
ticularly the English. who have had long
experience in the management of oriental
enterprises and are already on the ground
in numbers, awaiting an opening. The fran
chise laws should be based upon the as
sumption that the closer the tie which
binds the people of those islands to the
American government, by business as well
as administrative measures. the better 1t
will be for both sides. Yet precautions are
necessary to prevent unwise exploitation
which will injure these people more than it
will help them.