The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-21

course with. and administration by. the
tough stubborn children of The Neither
lands.
FILIPINos A DEcADENT RACE.
The natives Of the Philippines. on the
other hand. whose subsection by Spain be-
gan as early as 1866. nave been for the
best part OF three centuries undo the sway
OF a decadent Latin people. itself in its
later phases one of the most indolent and
inert of European races. The effect OF
Spanish influence upon the soft Malayan
character of the Filipinos has been very
marked, and IL has intensified those very
failings which make the lover or the brown
man despair OF his future
Therefore, we maintain, IL Is exceedingly
doubtful whether the FilipinoS. as a race.
possess to-day the ability 10 work with any
degree OF steadfastness. even IL they were
TO be forced TO do so by some system
analogous 10 that devised by the Dutch
colonists, M since they are sprung from a
Malayan stock. their unwillingness to
toll. IL that may by any contr1vance be
avoided, does not need 30 be insisted upon.
Accordingly, considering the labor supply
OF the Philippines, the Filipino must be
excluded from the calculation, and as the
prosperity and development OF such a coun-
try as Americas new possessions depend
mainly upon an ample. cheap. ana steady
stream of coolies. upon which capital can
draw at need. the United States Is In the
unpleasant position OF having to decide
either to postpone Indefinitely the material
welfare of the islands. or TO smother pref
udice and permit the thrush OF the Chinese
to which so many theorists. more versed
IN home than in Asiatic problems are
hercely opposed.
One OF the favorite cries OF the excellent
publtcists and philanthropists above re-
ferred TO is THE Philippines for the Fill
lpino! and a theory which finds great
favor with many politicians OF the United
States is that by the sovereign remedy OF
education the natives OF the new colonies
will shortly be transformed into white
men. In all save color, and will thencef0rth
take their place as full-blown American
citizens. AS regards the nrst part of the
story. that the Philippines should be kept
sacred for the use OF the natives. the an
wants Of the Filipino are not extravagant.
and that he can supply them without over
taxing his energies, which is the one thing
he really breads.
WHAT EDUCATION CANNOT DO.
To those who object that the incursion or
large numbers OF Chinese would result in
the gradual disappearance of the Ffipinos.
ii may be replied that the Malays show no
signs of dying out In the British possess
sions, though they do not multiply to any
alarming rate, and, further, that no ar
tiflcial props can serve to shore up a peo-
pie doomed to extinction, as has been shown
in the case Of the Maoris in New Zealand.
Such things are governed by an memorable
law of nature, the operations of which may
seem cruel and may excite our human SYM
pathies for its victims. but a law none the
less against which the strategy OF politi-
clans cannot in the end prevail. for. do what
We will, the unfit will perish and the litter
Will thrive and multiply.
The hope that education will work mira
cles, transforming the Filipino into an
American. is based upon a radical mis-
understanding of the Oriental, and es-
pecially the Malayan character. The color
of the Fflipino's skin is not more unlike
that of his white brother than is the whole
cast in which nature has nodded him. IL
is not a difference in degree. which might
prove susceptible to amelioration, but q
difference in kind. which is beyond the
reach OF any human agency. Those who
are acquainted with the Malayan race.
with its character, genius. limitations and
good and bad qualities, those who find
most to love and most to admire In this
the Malay has not in him any OF the ele-
ments which make his transformation into
a European. no matter In what length OF
time or by. the aid of what system of train
ing, anything but the veriest dream of the
armchair philanthropist.
Sooner or later the Americans will be
obliged. however reluctantly, to recognize
whether they will suffer the Filipino 10 go
his own way, and to die out i'm peaceful i'm
dolence. If that be the decree of nature, or
whether they will persevere in n course
foredoomed to failure which can only irri-
tate the native population and will never
lead to the development Of the Philippines.
II Is always sad to have to relegate a
pretty theory to the lumber room sacred
to things unpracticable, but there If no
room for doubt but that at the present time
the United States Is embarked upon a hope
less enterprise, and that the ultimate sal
walton OF the Philippines Is to be sought.
not in a futile attempt to revolutionize
the nature of its inhabitants; but in sup
plying the qualities they lack by permit
ting the immigration OF the industrious
and thrifty Chinese.