Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-12
Government for the Philippines.

Does the Senate Philippine bill take into
account sufficiently the welfare of the peo-
pie of the archipelago? Is 1t drafted on
lines insuring them comfort and prosperity,
and participation in the direction Of their
own affairs as rapidly as they may show
themselves qualified for the service? Let us
see.
In two matters of the highest Importance
to them the Filipinos have dictated the
policy of this government. They objected
to the Chinese. and this government closed
the gates against the yellow men. There
was some protest as to this from outside
sources. upon the ground that the Chinese
would help develop the islands. But the
just and proper reply was that we were
keeping the gates closed here against a
race distastefUl 70 our own people, We
should close them in the Philippines in re-
Spouse to the wishes of the people there;
and the new Chinese exclusion law contains
provision 10 that effect.
In the matter of the Spanish friars and
their large land holdings, the views of the
FilipinOs have been acceded to. In order to
remove source of irritation to the Filipi-
nos. we are providing for the purchase of
the holdings of the friars, and in that way
will settle both features of a very disturb
be thrown open to those anxious and able
to own and cultivate them, and pastors who
have become intoIerabIe to their parishion-
ers will be able to retire without financial
loss in favor Of other pastors of the same
communion, whose labors. wholly disasso-
ciated, as they will be, from all civil func-
tions. Will bear good fruit.
Upon these two propositions the Filipinos
have not only been consulted but followed
by this government. Upon the other propo-
sitions involved II is but fair to assume
that the American Judgment, unassisted, is
wise and sufficient. The money standard
the mining laws, the timber laws and all
such matters are, Il is hardly necessary to
say, much more easily within the grasp of
men operating with familiar knowledge of
free government than of men without ex-
perience in administering government of any
kind.
For the present, therefore, let US not COM
plicate matters il the Philippines. A native
assembly will come in good time, but it is
not necessary now. We are entirely COM
petent to the task we have in hand. and
should proceed with 1t on our own initiative
continuing to keep IN view, of course, the
interests of the Flipinos, and admitting
them to share IN the government as soon
as and whenever good policy suggests The
Senate bill, upon The whole, is an excellent
one, and the House would do well to shape
it's action accordingly.
In the peculiar complication into which
by partisan maneuvering the opposing po-
httcal forces in The Senate have brought
themselves the project Of the speedy con-
Vening Of representative Filipino assembly
has been completely transformed In mean
Iv,rr
Philippine commission as a safe, additional
step in the process of increasing the degree
of American consultation with representa-
tive FnipinOs. on the same wise principle
which caused the appointment OF Filipino
members of the commission itself But the
anti-imperiaIists have demanded represen-
tatlve Filipino assembly, not for the pur-
pose of improving The character of Ameri-
can government ard control, but of ending
that control by declaring for immediate in
dependence. This question of calling a Fill
pino congress TO decide whether the Fill
rinos want independence and when they
want it is developing into the distinct para
mount issue between the imperialists and
antt-impeTialists. For this reason the Sem
ate proposition Of a census to furnish the
information upon the basis of which a fu-
ture consulting Filipino representative as
stmOIy may inteiligca;ly he apportioued and
elected Is likely 10 mark the farthest step
In the direction II increasing participation
Dy the F1lIpinos il their government which
the republicans can at this time wisely
ADOPT In view Of the contention of the
anti-imDe rialists the decision to convene
quickly a Filipino assembly, no matter
what reason and purpose were assigned for
IT, would he periioUsly misleading There
Is much more danger Of pushing the Fill
piros along the path Of self-government
too fast than 700 slowly.