Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-25

tireiy different here. The Filipino is NOR
bid1y sensitive to criticism, while he has
not learned to distinguish sufficiently be-
tween Americans to Know that the sense
less and causeless attack of a few dis
gruntled American papers does not reflect
American sentiment. The capacity of these
papers for harm is very material
The Cholera Scare.
Another turn of the wheel and there
came among us the stalking death. that
fearful pest of the orient, Asiatic cholera.
Today no man can feel absolutely sure but
that with every drink of water or every
mouthful of food that passes his lips he is
not inviting death. 1t is not happy game
to play. though it early loses for most its
first terrorS. Heretofore cholera was
fought in the islands with prayers and
candles. with the consequence that in 1882
the deaths in Manila rose to 900 per day.
Today the whole machinery of modern
medical science. backed by the fearful
energy of Americans when ma king fight
of any kind. is being applied to keep the
disease from becoming an epidemic and
from spreading throughout the provinces
where the facilities for suppressing it are
few.
1t Is proving hard struggle and the end
Is not yet. The mass of the people lack the
first conception of sanitary living. while the
natural Ignorance, superstition and secre-
tiveness of the people make active co-opera
ton with the health board out of the ques
ton. If their lives are saved it will be in
spite of them. 1t is impossible to detail
mere the plan, of campaign established. That
it has been effective thus far is evidenced
by the fact that in the city of Manila, a
city of 100000 people, the deaths from
cholera in any one day have not exceed
ed thirty, while in some of the smaller
provincial towns it has been double this
number until the authorities were able
to take hold of the situation. In the seven
weeks since the disease appeared there have
been It9 deaths in Manila nd > in no
provinces. OF these, seventeen have been
Americans. The quarantine regulations
now make it almost impossible to get into
or out or Manila on any pretext- Inter
island business is practically at a stand
still. and immense hardship and loss have
been worked upon all classes. The coming
OF the disease at this time, just at the close
or the war, is extremely unfortunate. 1t
bears most heavily upon the poor and ig-
norant, who, as they cannot understand or
appreciate why the restrictions are made
blame the Americans therefor, a feeling
which is famed by those powers and per-
sons who resent our coming. These islands
have suffered a cleaning, however, and an
impetus toward cleanliness that cannot but
yield good results Should the authorities
succeed in keeping the disease from be-
coming epidemic it will have been a tri-
umph OF the west over the east deserving of
unstinted praise. In the meantime, how
ever. We eat and drink beneath suspended
sword.
Congress and the Currency.
When the cholera came we felt that our
cup was full, but it was left to Congress to
add the bitter drops which completed our
hopelessness. Despite the recommendations
OF the commission, reinforced by the views
OF Governor Taft in committee; despite the
unanimous petition of the American cham
Der of commerce of Manila and of the more
intelligent Filipinos and despite the views Of
every person at all familiar with the situa-
t1on and in face of the fact that only one
third of the territory of the islands is under
cultivation. and 1t is impossible to secure
labor for that which is, the Chinese eXcIu-
sion act was extended in all its rigor to
THESE islands. 1t a serious mistake.
Increase of pay will not secure work from
the F1l1pinos, especially in the provinces,
while the price of Chinese labor, particu-
larly in skilled employments is RAPIDLY be-
coming prohibitive.
In the industrial development of the is
lands lies the greatest hope of the people
OF the Philippines, and Congress should
have allowed the governing body of the
Islands some discretion in dealing with
matter of such vital Importance to the flu
ture of this archipelago. The same arbi-
trary action of Congress also seems immi-
nent In dealing with the currency question
Despite the recommendations of the COM
mission and of Mr. Conant the financial ex-
pert sent to examine the subject upon the
ground, and despite the recommendations
of the chamber of commerce and of every
person who has had to do with the existing
currency of these islands, urging that the
present silver coinage be replaced Congress
proposes to give US a bullion dollar, subject
to all the fluctuations of the market and
yielding profit only to the foreign banking
corporations who have recommended it and
who profit by the exchange values. Today
1t requires FAB Mexican to purchase 81 in
gold. Why this action should have been
taken after England's experience in India
and after Japan'S successful experiment
with the gold standard and after the unani-
a. S4 ms IS r,nt
clear, unless the Philippines were sacrificed
as a political sop to the western silver
states" The action will prove unfortunate
and is to be regretted.
The Philippine Bill.
'c Needless to say, the action of the demo-
cratic party with regard to the Philip
pines bill'' disgusts every American in the
islands irrespective of creed, party or per-
sonal interest. No one has yet been able
to reconcile their opposition to this bill with
their pretended interest in the political well
fare and betterment of the Filipinos. This
bill above all other things is destined to
bring about a condition in the islands which
will make a government by Filipinos posi-
BILE. Without it there can be no advance
ment or progress of any kind. 1t promises
the only thing the people now earnestly de-
sire, that is, popular assembly through
which and by which some expression can
be given to national sentiment, while at
the same time 1t makes possible the indus
trial development Of the country, which is
the surest road to complete peace and Or
der. While processing to be working for the
Filipinos, the democratic party has from
the very beginning obstructed peace and
stable government in the islands, without
which,, according to- their own admission
nothing can be done looking to granting the
Filipinos self government. Is it any won
der that the American colony in Manila
is not altogether happy?