Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-22
HE WOULD HOLD THEM
Bishop Thoburn's Views on
the Philippines.
QUESTIONED INFINITELY
1HEo1oe1cas DISCUSSION DUR
ING THE cQMA1TTEE HEARING.
Senator Beveridge objects and Chair
man Lodge Sustains the
Objection.
QUESTIONED INFINITELY

DR.. ]. M. Thoburn, bishop of the NJ E.
church for India and Malasla, testified be-
tore the Senate committee on the Philip
pines today. giving, the results of observa-
tions made by him in the Philippines. He
said that he visited Manila for two weeks In
March, 1899 and again In March, 1900, for
one week. He began his statement by say
ing he thought the United States were in
the Philippines under circumstances which
| would not permit them to leave.
Senator Dubois objected to this line of
testimony, and asked for statement as to
the moral and intellectual capacity of the
Filipinos.
I'm many respects" replied the witness,
they are like the American Indians There
is no conference among them. They are
divided into tribes, and the biggest man
among them is generally recognized as a
sultan. They are bright and quick, but not
profound, and am afraid they are treach-
erous."
Senator Beveridge brought out the fact
| that the witness had resided for forty
three years in the Straits Settlement, and
asked him for his opinion of the capacity
OF the Malay for self-government. Il think
they are very defective he said. 1T
would be crime, in my opinion, to remove
the present American restraints in the
Philippines.
! In response to questions by Senator Gull
berson, Bishop Thoburn said he believed
the Fittpinos should have a protectorate
after the manner of the British protecto-
rate.
The bishop said the United States gov
eminent was in the island by act Of God.
The Will of Providence.
Senator Patterson asked him what he
| meant by that. and he replied that he had
right. as the will Of Providence. He did
| not believe that originally the American
government had. when Admiral Dewey
went to Manila. any intention of taking
s., control Of the Philippines. President Nc
| Kinley had. he said. told him that he had
! tried in every possible way to avoid the
annexation Of the Philippines.
DO you believe that God put us in
Cuba?' asked Senator Patterson. The wit
ness replied in the affirmative, but when the
| inquiry was pat as to whether he thought
| God had taken, us cut of Cuba he said he
thought the reply to that question should
| be deferred tsr a. few years. Il don't
| KNOW he sahAJ; whether or not We have
| done the right thing in leaving Cuba. but
I am satisfied that We did the right thing in
| taking possession ef'the Philippines"
IF Philippine government should be es-
| tablished and you should be asked whether
| you thought such establishment was the
act Of God would you ask to defer Your
opinion?
Il would not Say it was the act of God"
devu?"
No; 1 woudznot would say it was the
act Of American politicians" He added
| that he believed that with an independent
Philippine government the Macabebes
would be exterminated within twelve
months.
Mr.. Patterson asked the witness if he
| believed the s1bjngation OF barbarous or
| semi-civilized people by the great powers
| to be the act of God.
Il wouldn't put it that way he re-
piled. The most enterprisng governments
are pushing out as Individuals; and gov
ernments generally find that they have to
| follow their citizens God rules and over
rules" -!-
If Great Britain should subjugate the
Beers would you consider that result as an
act of God?"
| Senators Lodge, Beverage and McComas
| objected to this question, and Senator Pat
| terson withdrew it.
"If," went on Senator Patterson, "a ma
| ton has gone to the help of semi-civil-
| ICED people and finds itself In control Of
| their country has that nation a right to
overrun it against the will Of its people
| and kill and burn in order to accomplish
| it's purposes?'
do you mean that question seriously?'
| the bishop responded. and Senator Patter-
| son said that he most assuredly did. The
| witness then said it was very difficult to
| answer it seriously for the reason that
what is right in one case may be wrong
| in another.
Does man determine what is right and
what is wrong? asked Senator Patterson
and again this question was met by another
| from the bishop. lis this, he asked, ian
! examina ton in metaphysics or in theol-
ogy?' .,. ~. ..s
| put us in the Philippines" said Senator
Patterson, and he insisted upon reply.
Bishop Thoburn-'I cannot very well dis
| cuss theological questions here. but If
| can give you any information L shall be
glad to do So"
rs that question too metaphysical for
your"
| to dignity it by the name Of metaphysics
or not.
Questions Objected To.
Senator Beveridge objected to the aues-
ton as calculated to Outrage the feelings
of the Witness" and Senator McComas de-
clared that 1t was Irrelevant and impertt-
T nent."
Senators Dubois and Carmack contended
that the question was entirely proper, and
Senator Patterson declared that when an
examination gets to De troublesome the
senator from indiana Immediately becomes
indignant"
Senator Lodge. as chairman of the COM
mittee ruled that the question was purely
theological and therefore irrelevant
In response to questions from Senator
Carmack, Bishop Thoburn expressed the
opinion that the Philippine people are now
better disposed toward American missiona-
ries than they were at the close Of the
Spanish war. In proof Of this statement
he said that there is now an attendance of
II 600 persons at the Methodist churches In
Manila and that both in that city and the
outlying provinces It was almost Impossible
to meet the demand for teachers and
preachers. @IEA''f - -.
Bishop Thobufn had not concluded when
the committee adjourned for the day.
rrrnrnHr Ar crDur1nc