The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-06-15

ident of Oahu College, before an
Amherst gathering. 1t is entitled
Americas Attitude Toward People of
Lower Civilizations"
Last spring while in Washington, at
the conclusion of a long discussion, the
writer asked a distinguished Congress
man from a New England state wheth-
er in his judgment we are able to gov
ern the Philippine Islands with any
measure of success. He replied No
that under our political system, with
the unavoidable delays necessary for
consultation in a popular government
and the constant interference attend
ant, we cannot successfully cope with
the difficulties of provincial administra-
ton. His advice was to sell to Japan.
The following evening without allud
ing to this interview. the writer en-
gagged in conversation with Representa-
tive Cannon of Illinois and ventured
the same question. Sir" said he.
there is nothing the American people
cannot do"
Before discussing the subject it may
be proper to relate an incident in the
career OF a wealthy and benevolent man
not unknown to the public. Some time
since a small child-not an infant but
yet quite young-was found upon this
gentleman's doorstep. 1t had come
from the lowest stratum of society as
evidenced by its condition, foul clothes,
evil smell,-and bad tendencies develop
ed later OF course it was an annoying
question, What to do with the waif?
Certainly il could not be left to suffer
from cold and hunger. No hospital or
orphange was at hand. There were
neighbors, to be sure, but none so able
to provide as our friend. Differences of
opinion were expressed in the family.
Some were in favor of keeping the lit
tie fellow. regarding his coming as a
kind of providence; others of caring for
him temporarily; the suggestion was
made that the boy might soon be capa-
BILE of earning his own livelihood. The
nedo OIL the house 1lu IlOl SApA lis
views but thus far has kept the boy
and with great patience has borne with
his unruly conduct, wisely restraining
him from time to time, carefully super
intending his education and fitting him
to become a useful member of the COM
munity. Again and again has the boy
rebelled and even attempted TO run
away from his good home. AS often he
has been brought back and subjected to
restraint. Our friend justi- |
fies his course-strange that it needs |
justifying-with two reasons: % the
boys own good and % the well-being |
of society, for left to his own evil ten
denotes, he will certainly join the
criminal class.
This homely parable is readily inter
preted. The benevolent gentleman is of
course Uncle Sam and his household is
the American people. The boy may
represent the eight million. more or less,
Filipinos l. e., Tagalos, Visayans, Ilo-
canos, Moros, Nigritos. ct aiii. Is the
parable a fair presentation? Is the
analogy correct?
The world is growing smaller every
year Nations are being drawn closer
together by traffic and travel. by steam
and electricity, by bonds of mutual de-
7endence. and civ:lize countries can
not allow any sent-oarbaroIs people
20 to live as to Oe a mena.:e TO the
est.
If I have an offensive pig-stye or
,esspool upon my premises, injurious 10
he health and comfort Of my neigh
,ors, the community compels me by
aw to abate the nuisance. There IS a
recognized right Of the government 10
interfere. If a man beats his wife or
buses his children albeit in his own
,ouse, the law interposes. The same
light exists in the community of ma
ions. This right and duty of inter
erence was recognized when the United
states arose in arms against Spain III
,ehalf of Cuba The Cuban people are
10 longer subjected to a tyrannical gov
rnment, out of date in this epoch, out
Z place in this hemisphere. \ better 4
-overnment and better conditions now :
xist. Havana is no longer a center I
rom which germs Of yellow fever radi-
re. threatening the Gulf and Atlantic
tiles. But Oriental ports should not be I
ermitted TO spread Asiatic cholera and
ubonic plague over the globe. Condi-
ions in China, Macedonia, Armenia
INLAND. Morocco, and elsewhere warn
: of further duties for civilized powers.
=. o1-D.c+ much of the high court of
rbitration at The Hague and from the
eveIopment of international law NO
ne nation, least of all ours, can al
ord to adopt a selfish policy and lead