The Iola register., 1902-06-06
ISLANDS ARE IMPROVED.
Says the People are Generally Salts
fled With American System of
Governing

governing
Washington, May 3l.-Felipe Buen-
camino, former secretary of state in
Aguildo's cabinet was heard today
through an interpreter, by the house
committee on insular affairs.
"We would like to know what we
are" he said with emphasis, "are we
Americans or are we Filipinos? This
is the question impressed upon me by
the Filipino people"
''If we are to become American citi-
zens" he proceeded, ''it will be
great achievement. If congress does
not grant citizenship, IL has that
right, but it would be responsible for
the future, for we have submitted un-
conditionally to the will of congress" !"
He spoke of the many schools and
the improved educational methods.
The Filipino families no longer find
ing it necessary to send their children
to Manila since the local schools are
ample. Instead of ZOO American
teachers, he said, there should be
g, 900 and the salaries should be
doubled in order to secure the best
material.
Speaking.of education, he said the
friars were hostile to the American
government. On Palm Sunday he as
serted, the frairs had told the people
in the confessional that the cholera
existed only in the minds of Ameri-
cans for the reason, he said, that the
friars desired cholera to spread in
order that their fees for various at
tendance and ceremonies might be in
creased.
Among the statements he made we're
the following:
Eighty-hve per cent,of the people are
illiterate and can not read of write;
are many dialects, which may be re-
duced to eight main dialects. If edu-
cation means protection to life, prop
erty and rights, then the Filipinos are
as we'll educated as any other people;
If it means culture, then they are un-
cultured
''Are the people capable at thi
time of self government" was asked
at would not be advisa ble," said
he, turning to the map of the OF the
archipelago: RussiaIwas near at hand,
at Port Arthur; Japan also was near;
Australia and other British posses
sions were nearby.
Beside, he said, Great Britain and
Germany had on file at the American
state department large claims for
damages growing out of the lombard
ment of Iloilo, etc.
"Suppose the United States aban-
dons US" he said "then all those
claims will be presented, against the
Filipinos, backed up by squadrons. ;"
Asked if the Filipinos. after three
or four years of American tutelage
could stand alone, Senior Buencamino
said they would be able by that time
TO determine whether they wanted an
neXation to the United States or indie.
pendence. The federal party to which
he belonged opposed the holding of
the IhlllpplneS as an American
colony. About fifteen per cent of the
people, he said, favored a colonial
government. He said American troops
could be withdrawn ultimately, except
from the Moro country, where they
would have to remain for long time.
Mr. Patterson, brought out that the
witness had come for the federal
party, which paid his expenses.
The federal party favored anneXa-
tiOn and if the pending bill did not
contemplate annexation, but instead
esta blshed colonial form of gov
ernment, then the witness said he did
not approve this feature.
He said that as secretary of state
and private secretary to Aguinaldo he
had the secrets of the Philippine gov
ernment and in answer to questions
denied that he had betrayed these
secrets to American officers. He also
denied that his brother was killed as
a traitor, saying he was assassinated
because he favored peace.
An another point tho witness said
the Filipinos wanted the constitution
to follow the flag" They also wanted
liberty with justice and believed the
Amapipnn GvGtern upva this hlpS sip0