The San Francisco call., 1901-12-08
F|L|P|NOs WANT
MORE TEACHERS
Secretary Of Commission
Speaks of New
Conditions.
Natives Are Assimilating
American Customs
Rapidly.

Daniel X. WllllamS, secretary OF tHe
Philippine Commission and who has just
returned from Washington, where he de-
livered the first report of the commission,
is at present staying with friends in Oak
land. He will leave on the next transport
to resume his duties in Manila.
Mr.. Williams thinks that in time the
islands will become thoroughly American
fzed. Speaking about the situation there
he said:
regard the present situation in the Philip
pines as most hopeful. 1t was my good furtune
to visit over thlrty-four provinces of the archi-
when organizing provincial governments. We
everywhere met the most cordial reception and
there can be no question that the people
are anxious for peace and for the civil Hber-
ties and protection which the laws OF the COM
mission hold out to them: 1t is natural OF
much of disorder and lawlessness. as was the
in ohr own border States after the Civil
War. In addition to the sufferings caused by
war over rs per cent OF the carabaos-the
draught animals of the islands-haVe died OF
rinderpest while swarms OF locusts have de-
stroved The rice crops in many provinces. In
thirty out of the thrty-three provinces or
ganized by the commission. however quiet
prevails and the people are once more taking
up their usual avocations In five provinces
only-Batangas. Samar, Cebu, Bohol and La
When it is considered that scarcely three years
have passed since the American occupation of
the islands, and but little more than two since
the outbreak of the insurrection. the showing
made is certainly not discouraging.
Demand for American Schools.
In tour through the provinces the first
request of the people was for public schools
and American teachers. They Initiate readily
and good linguists. 1t safely be pre-
dicted that within ten or fifteen years English
will be the prevailing language of the archi
pelaso. With a common language many Of the
misunderstanding which now necessarily arise
will disappear The commission has had big
task on its hands. 1t has had to construct
government from the ground up. for the Span
iards bequeathed little that was Of value either
in Ia nGfi 1ofn nf 10
amount of work done may be gathered from
the fact that in thirteen months something
over 263 laws have been passed. Every branch
and department of the Government has had
to be reorsanized and started anew. The
PRONUNCIATION of this Legislation has had an inn
mense influence in bringing about better un-
derstanding between Americans and Filpinos.
Accustomed to being deluded, our professions
of good faith and upright intentions toward
them We're regarded with such doubt and sus-
picion that nothing less than practical object
lesson would gain their confidence. This they
have received and receiving. A municipal
code has been adopted under which the gov
ernment of the municipalities is practically au-
tonomous provincial act has been drawn
under which the Governor of the province Is
elected by the Councillors of the municipalities.
Public Moneys Spent by People.
All taxes collected from the people are spent
province and town where collected. The bal
ance of power is still held. however. by Ameri-
cans. The courts have been reorganized, Judges
appointed and the whole machinery of justice
put in motion along modern lines In every
department. tne qulchenlnB ana cleansing in
fluence of Anglo-Saxon ideas Is apparent The
Filipino is quick to where his own inter-
ests are concerned. and while the pace set may
be somewhat rapid for him at this time his
power of imitation, his quickness and his de-
sire to excel will insure constant progress. It
may be slow work, but it is not hopeless work
Mr.. Williams was formerly connected
with the law office of Bishop, Wheeler s
Hoefier. He went to the islands as secre-
tary Of Professor Bernard Moses, and
about six months ago was promoted to
his present position.