New-York tribune., 1902-02-22
THE POWERS IN THE EAST.
Mr.. coLoUHoUN ON THE PROBLEM OF
THE PACIFIC.


he has TO say Of the Philippines and their part
on the new stage Of international rivalry. Nor
will this be entirely egotistical, for American
expansion in the Pacific is the most significant
fact in recent history. It has put entirely
new face on the Oriental problem. and, in the
opinion Of the author, the United States will
be the dominant factor in the mastery Of the
Paciic." It has all the advantages Of location
sn both sides Of the ocean. the resources and
xnergy and some of the ambitions necessary for
that leadership; while the other hand it is
bampered by conventions, impatence and po-
nticaI intrigue at home inexperience, and
prejudice against prohting by the experience Of
others in dealing with Asiatic races.
Mr.. Colquhoun is a keen and experienced OBJ
server. well instructed in Oriental affairs. and.
though his title might suggest an academic
treatise on international relations. in reality his
speculations and deductions along that line are
of a rather obvious nature and subsidiary i'm
portance, his chief attention being devoted to
study in detail of the possessions of the Pacific
powers and comparison of the various methods
pursued in building up stable colonial govern
ments. From such comparison Americans can
profit largely II they only willing to adapt
their measures TO suit conditions they find
them. instead Of trying to solve their problems
by rule of thumb application Of Western theories
Of government.
The United States has undertaken novel mis-
sion in the Philippines. and its difficulties mainly
arise from its ultra-p philanthropic attitude No
other country has ever attempted to metamor-
phose Malay tribes into a self-governing ma
tionality The English. who have been equally
desirous TO improve the condition of natives in
their possessions have always maintained an
absolute mastery over them. They have built
roads. established schools promoted industries,
enforced order. given the natives large degree
of individual liberty, made their welfare the
prime object of government, and sought no di-
rect profit from them; but they have made no
attempt to turn Malays into veneered English
men, and pretence OF intrusting them with
power. The English policy. which has been
wonderfully successful in the Straits Settle
nnents has been to interfere as little possible
with the manners, customs and prejudices Of
the various nationalites. and not at all with re-
lgious matters. especially the Mahometan faith;
to encourage immigration, including that of the
Chinese, and the Introduction of capital from
every quarter; to open up the country and re-
move all restraints trade. and finally to give
local authorities a free hand TO evolve their
system from experience, and not force upon
them any cut and dried programme. The Dutch,
the only other successful rulers Of Malay
States. adopt an entirely different plan They
frankly seek direct profit from their colonies
familiar terms with the natives. promote their
commercial prosperity and physical comfort.
but at the time maintain a completely
paternal rule over them. even to the point Of
forcing them TO labor. Our author thinks this
system decidedly beneficial to the natives within
certain limits. but demoralizing to the Dutch
themselves, and its continued success depends
keeping the Malays in the condition of an
ignorant and happy peasantry. untroubled by
half knowledge or aspirations to participate in
affairs which they do not know how to conduct
The United States is trying to give the Fill
pinos all at once the benefits of Anglo Saxon
civilization, while exercising the least posi-
bic degree a paternal government. 1t feels
bound to preserve the Philippines for the Fill
pinos. and cannot, like England. encourage
the Chinese. the natural laborers Of the East, TO
undertake the work of development; and at
the same time it cannot. like the Dutch require
the people to work. Forced by theorists at
home. it is under temptation TO push the natives
too fast. giving them power before they are
competent to exercise it wisely and attempt
ing to educate them in Western ways beyond
their capacity for assimilation. Mr.. Colquhouns
first word OF advice is, GO slowl'' His second
caution is TO learn from experience and adapt
measures TO circumstances The great fault of
the French as s2lonZers is that they are not
practical, but are consumed with a passion for
uniformity and theoretical consistency, and al
ways trying to build up a little Paris. The
e. French code is applied without change in every
quarter of the globe, just some of our peo-
pie have urged that it was duty in loyalty
TO American institutions to apply our laws, re-
gardless Of their suita bility, in the Philippines
OF the morality and wisdom of our Judgement
there Mr.. Colquhoun makes no doubt He
scouts the notion that the Filipinos if left to
themselves could have founded nation or that
there has been any alternative for Americans
but to conquer them absolutely or leave the ISL
ands 10 complete anarchy No Malay nation
ever emerged from the hordes of that race.
From time 70 time small barbarous States have
developed. only to sink in decay. and since the
European advent into the Pacific the Malays
have enjoyed order and prosperity only under
white domination, often undertaken as in Sara
wax and the Malay Peninsula at the re-
quest of the natives themselves. The Malay is
peculiarly provincial and the Fflipinos have
the race traits. with a smattering of Spanish
customs which give deceptive appearance of
civilization and capacity for affairs. In spite
OF the impression of some of his fellow Eng
Hshmen that The Americans have made rather
a hash of things" the author thinks that much
has been accomplished. and that the man on
the spot" particularly has acquitted himself well.
His failures have been chiefly due to politicians
and sentimentalists at home The revival of
the insurrection last fall, he says, was largely
due to the demand that the troops be sent home
and the PHILIPPINES made over Theoretically 10
peaceful self government" He doubts the re-
suit OF the great experiment in self-government
unless kept under due guidance and check, and
thinks il would have been better to say frankly
once for all: I'VE have come TO give you the
government think best for you-a govern
ment that will be just and liberal but a gov
ernment that must be obeyed."