The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-29
EDUCATION OF FILIPINOS
WHAT is BEING DONE BY THE
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.
Points from the Annual Report of the
Secretary of War-FOrests
and Currency.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2S.-The annual re-
port of the secretary of war, the Hon. Eli
hui Root, contains much of interest con-
corning the Philippines. Besides the reports
of the Philippine commission, it sum
marizes the reports of various officials on
matters pertaining to the archipelago.
After reviewing conditions in the islands,
the establishment of civil government and
other matters. Regarding schools, Mr. Root
says:
'The superintendent reported on the 9th
of May that there had been appointed eight
superintendent, eight principals and as
sistants for normal, agricultural and manu-
al training work, Isl teachers from the
United States, and two superintendent
and eighty teachers from applicants in the
Philippines, and that the basis for these APP
pointments had been more than eight thou
sand personal written applications with
testimonials appended, and the recommen-
dations of normal school principals. college
presidents and state officials, and the per-
sonal certificatiOn of the qualifications OF
applicants by leading educational men in
the United States with whom the superin-
tendent is personally acquainted, or whose
character is well known to him by repute.
OF the teachers appointed from the United
States, 6S2 have been sent from this coun-
try to the Philippines by army transports.
One voyage of the transport Thomas was
devoted exclusively to the transportation of
teachers, and the others went upon the reg
nAoA SoAAiAA6o VI NAC CNAAo AN
ports. The expenses of travel were paid
from the inSular funds.
MORE TEACHERS NEEDED.
"The Manila Normal School for the in
struction Of native teachers was opened on
the 10th Of April. Accommodations have
been provided for $50 scholars, and by the
opening day $50 had enrolled. Additional
accommodations We're procured, and coo
were admitted to the classes, of whom $40
studied faithfully to the end Of the term.
The report of the interest and application
of the students and their progress in &C.
curing English is gratifying. The need of
teachers for the establishment of the gen.
eral system of schools contemplated is
just beginning TO be supplied. There is a
great lack of suitable buildings. In most Of
the pueblOs such buildings are not 10 be
found, and curiously enough in that coun-
try of great forests it is very difficult to OBJ
tain lumber for construction purposes.
Many more teachers must be obtained;
many buildings must be constructed. Time
and persistent energy and very large
amounts of money will be necessary TO put
the system In working order. No regular
system OF reports has yet been possible, but
from the reports received it is estimated
that not less than 10000 children are actu-
ally enrolled in the free primary schools;
that one-half Of these are being compelled
to wait because there are not adequate
schoolrooms, and that there are $1,000 chill
L III dNludl udllg dNltllOdllCC upOn tue
schools already established. There are be-
tween 5000 and 1000 native elementary
teachers. About 1900 of these are receiving
daily instruction in English.
over 10000 adult natives are studying
English In evening schools under American
teachers, and many more are applying
eagerness is manifested to learn English.
There is a widespread desire TO send boys
to the United States for education. Many
Of the towns are arranging to send and
CrTnnnrf hove hara for fhaf nI1FnnCn Tho
educational situation is, briefly, as follows:
There is a widespread and earnest desire
for education among the people of the
islands. There are more people anxious for
education than there are teachers to fur
nish IL. There are more teachers than there
are school buildings or rooms for them to
teach in. | think no one can become ia
miliar with the facts without deep inter-
est and a strong desire TO press forward
provision for education. All the good infu-
ences of American civilization may enter
through this open door.
PROTECTION OF FORESTS.
THE most evident and striking element
of wealth in the Philippine islands consists
of it's forests. The official geographic sta
tistics OF 1876 fix the forest area at 81, 537, 243
acres. In 1890 Fernando Castro estimated
the forest area at As, 112, 800 acres. But a
small part Of this vast area is in private
ownership, and there are probably be-
tween 10000, O0 and 100000 acres Of forest
land which formerly belonged to the Crown
of Spain. and by the treaty of Paris be-
came the property of the United States.
Pine, cedar, mahogany and hundreds Of
hard woods, valuable dye woods and rub
Der and gutta-percha trees exist in i'm
mense quantities.
From time immemorial the inhabitants
of the Islands have been accustomed 70
resort to these public forests for their fire
wood and lumber in the exercise OF their
rights under licenses regulated by law.
The forestry laws and regulations OF Spain
in the Philippines, while anording this use
Of the public forests 10 the people, aimed
at the establishment OF a scientific system
of forestry similar TO that which exists in
Germany and other European countries.
These regulations were. however. not ade-
quately enforced. Upon the military occu-
patton Of the country by the American
forces il was determined, II possible, to en-
force the system. and at the same time
preserve and utilize the forests. The prin-
ciple followed under such a system, in
stead of cutting all the trees at once and
leaving waste land. is 10 cut only the full
grown trees. leaving the smaller trees 10
grow and In their turn become ready for
IN - a ~axro--a,Ifr4 oariac Hha -.