Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-07
The Opinion Of Educ ated FiIipinos.

rather three articles. on the Philippines
worthy of special attention. The au-
thors' names are not familiar to Amer
can readers. but they are nevertheless
authorities who will carry weight.
They are DIR. T. II. Pardo de Tavera,
Benito Legarda and Jose Ruiz de Luz
uriago. the three educated and promi-
nent Filipinos who were several
months ago. at the recommendation of
Governor Taft, appointed TO places on
the Philippine commission. This may
discredit them somewhat at anti
Headquarters and in those districts
where there is still resistance to Amer
lean rule. but elsewhere they will be
regarded as well qualified to answer
the question put to them by the edi-
tor of the North American as to the ef-
feet of American rule and what the
archipelago needs in the way of COM
mercial regulations and local govern
ment.
DIR. pardo de Tavera replies that the
greatest benefit conferred thus far is
the liberation of the Filipinos from
the sad and hated political domination
of the friars. But he says it isn't the
only benefit. The laws are now enact
cd at Manila and not at Madrid. The
municipalities enjoy a home-rulc not
dreamed off in the old days. Governor
Taft is at once Il revelation and Il
puzzle to people accustomed Ia the ar
oitrary rule of Spain's governor-gen-
craI. Compulsory military service and
other age-long expressions have been
done away. Personal liberty has ar
rived with the arrival of the Ameri-
cans. Honest administration. too, and
an impartial enforcement of law. THE
Filipinos are convinced that the era Of
justice has begun" says the doctor.
There is no longer a government of
privileged persons. nor is the law now
ubeyed by the poor alone" The foun-
dations of prosperity are being laid,
1T Manila and elsewhere. Harbor and
river improvements are in progress
the making of roads also. and the
building of new bridves.
But the present economic condition
Of the. islands, he says. is lamentable.
Agriculture is PROSTATE. great deal
of property has been destroyed, an cpl
"a a
The poorer people couldn't stand any
large increase of direct taxation yet
a while. The existing taxes produce
twice what they did in the Spanish
time-thanks to the American system
Of strict accounting. Trust companies
and mortgage loan companies are ur-
gently needed. Free admittance to the
American market would be a great
boon The Filipinos who belong to the
Federal party hope that. some day. the
islands will become a state-"like those
which form the Union" Meanwhile
they hope for more and more of self
government as they show themselves
ready for it. For the present, the doc
tor thinks Congress had better keep
hands off. Two or three years from
now the conditions may be ripe for
territorial government and an elective
popular legislature thing the Fill
pipos greatly desire. The doctor wishes
Congress would authorize the F'ilipinos
to send to Washington as their ac-
credited spokesman two delegates
chosen by elected commissioners of
the provinces. He thinks this would
satisfy their just desires. but this is
his personal opinion. 1T is certain
that my opinion will not today receive
the approval of the majority" he says.
adding that he was right three years
ago when the majority thought him
foolish Now the policy he advocated
Is approved rs just. rational and patri-
otto.
The doctors two native colleagues
OF the commission travel over a good
deal of the same ground in their re-
plies to the North Americans ques-
tions. Mr.. Legarda thinks it will bf
wise to let the provisional government
alone for a couple of years. The first
thing is TO complete the work of pacifi-
cation. After that, representative
chamber chosen by qualified electors
and a Filipino delegation-of IAN in
formative character"-in Congress
With the gold standard the building
of railways. the opening of mines, th'
establishing If agricultural experiment
stations, the clearing of land titles
etc. Mr.. Legarda hopes to see new
times in the islands. Mr.. LuZuriags
thinks it may be well, after hostilitie.
have wholly ceased, to give the islands
form of government similar to tina
of Hawaii or Porto Rico" What lie
much nearer his heart at present
though. is the establishment of mort
gage-loan banks for the relief Of tn
struggling Filipino farmers.
There are gratifying evidences tina