New-York tribune., 1901-10-16

- a,v dispute Recent events have DEM
CA c.as the fact that in Samar. Cebu, Leyte
oh pobol the step was taken too soon, and
a islands have therefore been turned over
Nv % the control Of the army. Whether in
ss- norts OF the Archipelago the installation
g,,a authority has been equally premature re-
vet 10 be seen. AT present / am bound
h" tba experiment works well on the whole
= .boughtful person, certainly, can do aught
,nress the wish that the labors OF tho
rotssion In this direction may be crowned
- suooess To desire otherwise might tenn
T" ILL, please a certain element IN the army
Asa pessnism is born Of a desire to per-
.,ate indefinitely the dream Of power it has
'rsulged unchallenged for so long. but II would
Ia he contrary to the policy deliberately out
- bv the administration, contrary to sound
@-,,ciples Of government and contrary to tho
s,,st OF public opinion at home.
What is the effect. one is disposed to ask.
nm the native of this transfer OF authority?
n,ss he set any store by this signal proof of
,e6enoe on the part Of the commission, which
..asenlv admits him to large a share in the
.-.naeement Of public affairs? Is he indeed
oonabe of recognizing the lines which divide
,,s military from the civil power? To the last
question reply at once. No! If he-and am
snsaldng not Of the educated Filipino of Manila
hut OF his brother in the provinces-if he differ
initiates az all between the two. II will be in the
a,rection Of realizing that now he may have an
onnortunity II luck favor him, Of feeding at the
,ubue crib and OF lording IL over his neighbor:
hue il that should fail him he will still have
.be Joy Of indulging TO his hearts content in
his passion for litigation. No one, indeed, who
has not lived among these people can form an
adequate idea Of the ierceness of delight which
spimates the average Filipino when an oppor-
tuuity presents itself for carrying squabble into
the courts Lala describes this weakness of his
countrymen when he says that they enjoy liti-
cation more than is good for them for the
hest interests Of the colony" and both Foreman
and Sawyer frequently allude 10 # in their
hooks Under military rule an indulgence in
this pastime was rudely checked by the SEN
tences Of Provost courts, which admitted OF no
appeal. Under a civil administration of justice
the defeated party to a suit may never de-
spair under the provisions Of the complicated
spanish code Of procedure. OF having another
whack" at his antagonist These two consid-
eratons, I think, viii in the main determine
the mental attitude of the average native tow
ard the new order OF things.
Now as 70 the other effects OF the change.
they are obvious; plain, in fact, as q pi1estaff.
isn't cheap one: II cannot be, in the nature
Of things It is impracticable. even were 1t
desirable, 10 unite, as was done by the Span
iards in the case OF the friar or by the military
power in the case OF the officer all the functions
Of government in one person. The duties will
have 10 be distributed, and the new order OF
things provides for such distribution of course.
However great the number of natives admitted
20 share OF responsibility in governing the ISL
ands II is certain that for many years TO come
their doings Will have TO be watched and their
work superintendent by high priced and expen-
sTe American officials. There is to-day, indeed,
not q single Filipino in position which would
permit him to yield to a temptation Of exploit
ing his Office financially or to indulge predatory
habits acquired by association with Spanish
officials But all this has to be paid for, and it
Is serious question whether the native is will
ing 70 DO it In the long run. no doubt. he may
become reconciled TO a system Of the merits OF
which he is now not altogether convinced IN his
own mind. II IS probably true also. that ac-
iual experience is the only school in which he
can be made 10 learn If you wish to acquire
knowledge OF the game of poker. am told.
there IS nothing like paying for It But even then
the result is sometimes uncertain. So my friends
at least inform me. Similar uncertainties sur
round the present experiment OF inducing the
native into the mysteries OF selfgovernment
Let US hope 1t may succeed In the mean
tine Il Will do no harm constantly TO bear in
mind what Ramon Reyes Lala says of his
countrymen: They are easily awed by dem
onstration Of superior force, and ruled best by
mild and firm coercion. based upon justice"
NJ G. S.