The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-04-09
PRAISE FOR ISLANDS
GEN. MAC ARTHUR SAYS PHILIP
PINES ARE FINEST GROUP
IN THE WORLD
SENATORS HEAR TESTIMONY
Former Military Governor Explains
to Committee the Conditions
and Probable Future of
the Archipelago.

WASHINGTON, April Seen. Mac
Arthur today continued his testimony
concerning conditions in the Philippine
archipelago before the senate committee
on the Philippines. His discussion at the
beginning of the session was devoted to
a review of the conditions which led up
to the present state Of mind Of the FL
lipinos.
He said that long before the advent Of
the Americans the germs Of democracy
had been planted and that these had
originated in the agitatiOns in Spain of
q century ago which had been reflected
in the Spanish colonies. He also
described the conditions in the archi-
pelago at the time of the American occu-
patton, saying that at that time the
Filipin0s were in a Vindictive and resent
full mood toward Spain with a general
yearning for liberty.
Taking these psychological conditions
into consideration and also giving due
heed to the character Of the people he
had felt when he assumed command Of
the islands that there was to be found
the most fertile soil for the planting Of
the best type Of Republican institutions.
Islands Best in the World.
Gen MacArtlur then took up and dis
cUssed economic condition in the archi-
pelagO, saying that they are the finest
group Of islands in the world, occupying
a strategic position absolutely uneXcelled.
Continuing, he said, that the archipelago
must necessarily exert an active and
potential influence upon the affairs Of the
entire east in both a political and a mill
tary way. The China sea is only $50 miles
wide, he considered only a safety moat.
The islands would therefore stand to pro-
tect American interests in the Orient
without the eXertion of much physical
power on the part of the United States.
Hence he concluded that the presence of
this country in the Philippines will al
ways insure all the protection needed in
the east and no one can now say how
great those needs may be.
Their position is such, he said, that
from these islands whatever passes along
the coast of Asia may be observed, as It
must pass under the shadow of the
American flag. He therefore concluded
that the possession, the permanent pos
session of the Philippine archipelago is
not only of supreme Importance, Tut
absolutely essential to American inter
ests."
He believed, he added, that when the
Philippine people come to realize the mis-
sion Of the American people among them
and that they were a chosen people for
the dissemination of American ideas they
would rally to TINS inspiring thought and
cheerfully follow and support the Amer
lean flag.
- Continuing Gen. Macarthur grew eIo-
quent on describing the mission of the
Americans. This country's presence in the
Islands, he said, was, to his mind a
process of spontaneous evolution. and ne
added that he believed that the permanent
occupation was necessary consequence.
the logical sequence of national prosperitv
to doubt which was to doubt the wisdom
Of our constitution. 1--WE should" he
went on regard ourselves as a neon1e.
as the custodians of an imperishabIe idea
held in trust for mankind, and We would
proclaim this message to the world
He also expressed. the opinion that the
Filipinos could be rapidly organized into
political bodies, and said that they. were
eager to secure educational facilities.
Gave Them Civil Government.
He said because Of his opinion that the
FilipinOs afforded splendid opportunities
for the dissemination Of American ideas
he had decided when he assumed COM
mand at Manila to conduct military oper-
ations with a drastic hand while he at the
same time tried to give them the most
enlightened civil government wherever op-
portUnity offered.
Concerning the condition Of the war In
the Philippines, he said that while it was
war he doubted whether any war OF
modern times had been conducted with as
much humanity and self-restraint as this
war had been.
In this connection Senator Lodge asked
a number Of questions bearing upon the
reports Of cruelties practiced by Ameri.
can soldiers, to which the witness replied
that while there doubtless had been in.
stances of excuses the general conduct
on the part of the troops had been OF ar
opposite character as the general orders
had been. Moreover all violations of the
rules Of war had been instantly punished
Replying to questions by Senator Car.
mack, he said that the Filipinos like
American ideas of personal liberty as en-
bodied in our constitution. ''This," he
said, REALIZES an ideal Of their own
Then they have an ideal?' interject-
ed Senator Carmack.
The reply was: "They have-moA de-
cidedly."
You do not then regard them as a