The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-27
TESTIMONY OF AN EDUCATED
FILIPINO.

United States whom, it is safe to say.
Democratic senators Will not ask to have
summoned before the Senate committee.
This is Mr.. Felipe Buencamino, who is now
in San Francisco. the guest of General
Hughes. Mr.. BuencaminO was formerly
member of Aguinaldos staff, but is now
loyal to the American cause. In an in
terview had with him on Saturday, in San
Francisco, he said:
In the Philippines the conditions are very
hopeful for the termination of the insur-
rection with the capture of General Lux
ban and the surrender OF General MalVar.
The first was due to General Smith, the
second to General Bell. and both TO the
wise and humanitarian policy of General
Chaffee. Political peace is assured, and
now with the assistance of Governor Taft
We shall move onward toward moral peace.
The capture of General Lukban was the
result of the vigorous campaign organized
by General Smith, whom the Democrats are
now abusing because he made real war.
Mr.. Buencamino congratuates him and
! General Bell for their latest successes in
suppressing the insurrecton, and praises
the wise and humanitarian policy of Gen
eral Chaffee, by which, apparently, he
ing a drawn sword in one hand while ex-
tending the olive branch with the other.
Mr.. Buencaminos statement throws in
! teresting light on the situation in the Phil
ippines. He belongs to the educated class.
most of whom were at first hostile to and
distrustful of the United States. because
they were naturally suspicious and knew
nothing about the real purposes of the gov
/ eminent. Most of them are now loyal to
the American cause, and they will prove
valuable aids in the establishment and ex-
tension of free government. They will be
| leaders and teachers of the masses. In the
| first report of the Philippine Commission
Mr.. o. F. Williams, who had been United
States consul at Manila for some time, was
asked his opinion as to the capacity of the
people for self-government. They have
never been taught any such thing" he re-
/ piled. 'Tt is a government of the few and
submission by the many that they have
been taught; but so far as L can under
stand them 1 believe they are quite as
/ capable as the Japanese. and the japanese.
/ as we know in less than forty years have
/ developed from low grade of civilization
/ to become one of the powers of the earth
/ All accounts agree that the Filipnos are
bright and teachable. and once they are
started in the right direction under good
leaders they will make rapid progress.
/ Such leaders will be found in the educated
Filipinos, like Mr.. Buencamino who have
become loyal to the American cause. Gov
ernor Taft in his testimony before the Sen
ate Philippine committee said American
teachers were instructing the Filipino
teachers. and the latter are anxious TO
learn. The people were eager TO have their
children instructed. and the priests in some
places were preparing to set up parish
schools. But" he added. 1.-The ignorance
of the mass Of the population is dense, and
their credulity is boundless." When asked
what hope there was for peace and good
understanding between the people and the
Americans he answered with emphasis:
| 'Our hope is in the educated classes" For
this reason it is very encouraging to find
native Filipinos like Mr.. Buencamino. who
understand the people and are qualified to
lead them. cordially and unreservedly in
! favor of American rule and civil govern
ment. The object of his visit TO the United
States is not known, but he probably will
confer with the government authorities
| at Washington. No doubt he can give
much information as TO conditions in the
Philippines. but as he is loyal to the Ameri-
can cause it will not be of a kind to please
the Democratic insurrectos in the Senate.