Evening star., 1902-03-28
PHILIPPINE CONDITIONS.
Governor Taft'sRViews on Peace and
Education Indorsed.


The testimony OF Governor Taft before
the Senate committee ON the Philippines is
one of the prominent editorial topics in the
Manila newspapers which were dispatched
from the Philippines in the Sheridan on
February 16 and received in Washington
on Tuesday. The Times of February 4, in
discussing Governor Taft's estimate of the
number of troops which will be required to
preserve order in the islands, says that
public opinion, which at, first received Gov
ernor Tafts estimate with adverse criti-
cisn and an inclination to jeer, is gradually
beginning to veerf round to his way of
thinking
1t is pointed out that the governors esti-
mate is based on conditions as they are
likely to be one year hence. and the marked
Improvement in the Philippine situation dur
ing the last year is emphasized
1t may be safely assumed says the
Times, that one year from now all resist
ance in Samar will have been overcome,
and that the large number Of troops now
stationed there will not be required
The Times continues: Another feature
which must be considered is the immigra-
ton of American capitalists and settlers
which IS sure to follow favorable legisla-
t1on. Can the latter class be induced, in
large numbers, to cast their ventures here
an event which seems not at all improbable
when Secretary Roots recommendation as
TO the homestead law is called to mind then
another very important factor in the coun-
trys paclfication will have been introduced.
Last, but not least, and as corollary to
this measure, may be mentioned the gem
erai contentment which would be spread
among the natives by the development of
the Islands consequent on favorable legis-
!atlon. AT present they are frequently
drlven to ladronism by starvation. Given
chance for employment and an oppor-
tun1ty to satisfy their needs, many of
these might be trusted to resume peaceful
yocations and give over the hardships and
dangers incident to the bandits life.'
governor Tafts advocacy of higher edu-
cation among the Filipinos appears to be
generally Endorsed in the islands.
AZ Tue present time" says the Times
OF February IA, lowing to the course of
ucatfonai facilities provided for the Fill
plno, unless 1t be in those colleges main
famed under Catholic influences If the
fnlplno mas any aspirations above the
stltut1ons alone furnish a means of graft
ncatlon And here 1t might be well to ask
Just what these Catholic colleges are ac-
e,nn,ied e1mRhsh'ng. a IN the days just past they
the lnsurrectfon. At present they are turn
ing out young men of substantially the
same calper men imbued with the same
doctrines and ideas. Perhaps few people
OF students on the Luneta stop for a mo-
ment to think Of the tremendous poten-
tlallty vested in these youth In their
hands lies to an incalculabie extent the
future of these islands For a generation
TO come they, and not the offspring of the
American schools, will sway the Filipino
people and be their oracles and advisers.
Inc advantage-nay, the necessity Of some
such scheme as that advocated by Cover
nor Taft, thus at once becomes apparent"
Ihe plan which would appear to be the
most favored is that of endowing an Amer
lean college in Manila. The problem Of
whether or not the masses of the Filipinos
can be generally educated, will. it is said.
remain uncertain for some time to come:
for year or two, at least. the present
enort can rank only as an experiment.; but
or the practicability and success of the
nigher institutions of learning, if such are
Iounued, there can be little question.
ihe Manila pt 3ers of February report
friction between the civil and military au-
thofities in northern Mfndanao, and Man
uel Correles, governor of the province Of
Casayan de Mfsamts, rendered his resigna-
tlon to the acting governor of the islands.
Correies said he found 1t impossible to ex-
erclse the proper functions of his office
because of the refusal on the part of Ger
tain army officers to recognize him in his
off1cial capacity. He complained that Can
tain Ryan of the 10Th Cavalry, stationed
at Jimenez. refused to respect a writ Of
habeas corpus properly issued by the
courts Of first instance of the province,
that he declared martial law to be in ef.
rect, and that on several occasions he re.
fused to recognize the authority of courts
and governor -