The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-06-29
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CIVIL
GOVERNMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

chise are that the voter must be at
least % years of age and a resident for
six months in the municipality Those
disqualified are deIinquents in taxes, all
who have been DISTINGUISHED by a court.
all who have taken and violated the
oath of allegiance to the United States,
those in arms against American sover-
eighty and all insane or feeble minded
persons.
small property qualification is
requisite in municipal voting, and spe-
cial legislation is recommended for the
city of Manila and the Christian
tribes, such as the Igorrotes of the
mountains and the pagan Bagabos.
During a tour of organization from
which the commissioners recently re-
turned after an absence of eight weeks
and during which they travelled more
than 5000 miles they expressed them
selves as satisfied with the conditions
generally prevailing, except in the Sulu
archipelago. Nearly all the other Fill
pinos, including even some of the semi
savage tribes of the interior, We're ca
ger for a chance for autonomous gov
eminent and, above all, DESTROYS for
education. But the sultan of Sulu, with
whom some time ago a special treaty
was negotiated, still insisted that slav-
cry and polygamy should remain fea-
lures of his government and was jeaI-
Gus of any prospective encroachments.
He and his "dattos" and subjects gen
orally, living as they are in ignorance
and senisavagery, fell back upon the
treaty negotiated by General Bates
when the subject of self government
was preached. shielding themselves be-
hind the clause which provides that
said treaty cannot be abrogated except
by consent of both high contracting
parties. So the commissioners are still
in doubt as to what should be done
with the Mohammedan Sulus in the i'm
mediate future and even regard the
fierce savages of the hills as in some
respects more amenable to argument.
Once a Mohammedan always a Mo-
hammedan" applies in the Philippines
as well as in Turkey, Egypt or Morocco,
and, although there is the strongest
guarantee on the part of the American
government to religious freedom, yet
the fierce1y fanatica1 Sulus know well
that their practices of slavery and po-
lygamy cannot continue to be winked
at by American civilization in the TWEEN
tieth century.
Not less than 20 provinces have been
differed and provided with government
on advanced lines, and, following the
suggestions in the presidents instruc-
tions, the commissioners have in all
cases when compatible with the public
interest placed natives at the head of
affairs But while the Filipinos are
generous, intelligent and apt political
students they are naturally in sympa-
thy with the insurgents, with whom
they have racial affinity. It is hoped
however, that when they are perfectly
convinced of the integrity of American
purposes regarding them and better in
formed as to the character of our insti-
buttons they will serve loyalty Until
that happy time arrives it will be alb
solutely necessary to support the civil
administration with the military re-
sources. and at present no picture of
Philippine government viii be complete
without a background of guns and bay
onets-not necessarily for use, but as
a guarantee of good faith
Certain concessions also are requisite
to the Filipino love of display and Off
ciaI ostentation, as. for example. in The
provision for the Filipino councillors to
wear a uniform while presiding and to
carry "a black cylindrical cane with
gold head, gilt ferrule and black cord
and tassels.' Such a cane or wand IS
in itself a symbol of authority among
all natives accustomed to Spanish au-
thority not only in the Philippines but
in Mexico and South America
It was considered daring stroke of
policy to appoint as rulers Of some of
the provinces Inc more HOtSN u IAS III
surgent leaders lately in arms against
tha government; but, though the risk
vas considered great the immediate
effect upon those still in rebellion was
marked and salutary.
one of the most conspicuous of
those appointment was that of Gen
eral Mariana Trias, VINO was command
er in chief of the Filipino forces while
Aguinaldo was in hiding. He surrender
al in March and was recently made
governor Of Cavite- Another, Ambro-
sio Flores, was installed as governor
of Rial But in both instances the