New-York tribune., 1903-01-30
CPHOLDS PRESIDENT.
SHEPARD m -4ccord 7cith Has Philip
nine Recommendations.

pine Recommendations.
Edward NJ Shepard President schurman, of
Cornell University member of the first Philippine
Commission. and Professor Felix Adler discussed
conditions in the Philippine Islands before
a large audience at Cooper Union last evening
President c G. Birmingham. of the Board of Edu-
cation. who presided in the absence OF Rlcnaro
Watson Glider. announced that the meeting was
not intended for anti-Imperialistic purposes. put
called account of the extraordinary lndif-
ference to the Philippine problem.
Mr.. Shepard. whose subject was Present Needs
Of the Philippines said in part:
There is Philippine question past PhIpp1me NJ Gn5e
He are All in siW Wa1 depent and Vet they are
so allied that it is quite impossible to deat VIII IN
one without coming into controversion WIN the
n as haye to the sy prn tondn a9f Of he Pppne
Islands They distressing beyond any power
lions Of the patriotic Americans who had seen n
good TO humanity.
After discussing information given in President
Roosevejt's messages and speeches, which he sald
optimistic and facts given in Secretary Roots
and the Philippine Commissions report. Mr. shep-
ard said:
The productive. conditions of the islands are in
vastly impoverished condition The exports OF a
mani oT1es+in 7n1snd u go63 lTiih ali the ad-
vantages which were able TO give in increased
dnced $1so0oo00 or slscoOoo0 dollars.
Quoting from the report of Secretary Root and
the Philippine Commission Mr Shepard depicted
the deplorabe conditions which exist at present IN
the i<:ands, and read from Governor Tafts re-
port. further narrating the extreme hardships OF
the inhabitants of the archipelago. Continuing, ne
said:
doubt if in the annals of political literature you
petition 1 remember three years ago. spea king
from this Platform in defence of Agunaldo iE1 we1
him except rniscreant and enbezzler I am glad lad
him in official circles except respectful attention.
made TO Congress by the President and by -, Seefe re-
tsry Root in his report But in making s1ch IN.
and deny or retract any Of the contentious which
have made in the past discussion Of the ] ]Pnlli2,
at the Mckinley birthday anniversary reviewed
f6T foT bsto viii eonnec a9f it h McKneS life
And much as have seen which considered eyl.
the recommendations of the President to Congress.
6 s5 to T een % It tha heR iTR that tey grasp
the n as9 to aks of t6e Phppines p
Professor AdIer's subject "Coolie Labor
He said in part:
This is proposition to restore human slavery IN
the territory of the United States: Great changes
made up their minds and meantime meant those Tnq a1as
want II push II I nc SO w. and hill for the
introduction of cooe labor. passing the house ana
Senate. and meantime people have not mace up
Why is it that the proposition is made? Why
coolie labor in the Philippines? WY not sIarI S.
campaign OF education? The people are @ clfvea' 6
{
veop them along the lines of handicraft and make
them ters OF the soil? Why not be pa tlent FOR Tor
i fifteen twenty years until the schools have done
their work? -,
We have gone into the Philippines with high
moral professions do ethical work upon A
national scale Duty sent US thither We must
! elevate and develop great people, but there mas
been ali along another wish in our hearts. and 1
am afraid that that. the event shows, was the
primary wish make money out Of the Philippines;
That is why we cannot wait That IS why We We are are
insisting Chinese coolies That IS why we 90 hos
shrink from reopening the cicatrized wound OF
human slavery.
President schurnan in discussing American
Ideals" said in part:
1t is easy enough to deal with the physical Ills OF
the FIipinos ENORMOUS taQush 9 Ie basI tbee suffer
ings, and lack not trust. the good VIII TO Apply
ereignty over the Philippine archipeago-with that
spirit Of freedom. of independence that energe.lc,
restless aspiring spirit of freedom and lndeendenfe
by which the Filipinos universally and in daily
increasing measure inspired and anima ed?
This is the supreme and All iTrlpor
problem And il is now coming TO stand out clearly
cste with cognae Questions which in recent years
have stirred mems passions and distracted % rne3r
judgments. The past and the curtain
rises serenely upon the closing act OF our short
By force the FiIipinos may be worried and
harassed: but force will not mitigate or destroy
I possibly be convinced that the American people
desire TO break the spirit of the Flplnos Ior II Is
the same spirit that has made America +.
Shall We give up the Fiipin9s? Are Te, tsi tasn.
holding the tiiplnos IN bondase II So I
true state of the case: The Philippines belong TO
the Filipinos; hold me islands as guardians and
trustees pending the political pupage Of the FIJI;
pinos; when they set up for themselves tney VIII
the earliest possible moment TO grant them their
independence. Shall We give up the Filiplnos? Why
/ assIredIv " shall just give up our children
when they are capable OF caring for themselves.
That is my solution Of the great Philippine prob
lem which confronts US You must either coerce the
Filipino spirit Of liberty and independence or You
with il am confident the American people are
opposed to coercion. Let UNHAPPY Ireland warn US
Of the desires and sentiments Of its people.