Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-20

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may know what to expect and what they
can depend upon. :
~. American control must not enslave the
native, but insure him the fullest opportu-
ural resources Of the Island.
The Islands for the Fiupinos.
These two axioms are entirely consist
ent. That the Philippines are for the FIJI
pinos' means that the government is to be
30 administered that the native will get the
greatest possible benefit out Of the land he
inhabits, and that he is not to be robbed Of
these advantages for the benefit of citizens
OF the ruling nation. Shortly before ne left
Manila Governor Taft discussed this Ques-
ton before a literary society here, and as
serted that the carrying out Of the princi-
pie of the Philippines for the Filipinos did
not necessarily involve the independence Of
the Filipinos, nor any particular degree Of
autonomy 1t is entirely consistent with
the principle Governor Taft said on that
occasion, to object to an immediate extern
sion OF popular government on the ground
that we are going too fast for the political
digestion of the people. and that 1t Is not
therefore, for their good.
Governor Taft also declared that the
doctrine Of the Philippines for the Fill
pinos did not exclude the encouragement Of
American enterprise or the investment of
American capital in these islands. He
spoke with great emphasis on that point,
and said: There is nothing which Ameri-
cans can bring and do not except educa-
ton or a free form Of government, which
can do more for the elevation and the civil
ization of the Filipino people than the in
vestment Of American capital in the mate
rial development Of these islands. Nor is
1t to be expected that capital will be in
vested here unless 1t is assured of an ade-
quate return. The profit must be LARGE to
a N n fhn iclx run hot DC
the way Governor Taft looks at 1t. and he
Is regarded as the most advanced advocate
of the dostrine Of the Philippines for the
Filipinos
vestments of American capital will most
certainly secure these benefits for the Fill
Pine. Not tie Spanish system; not some
crude system devised by unframed and in i.
experienced natives. but that system which
has made the United States commercially
great-the American system. The great
cfvflizer is commerce. The government pro-
poses to furnish every facility for COM
merce. That includes a secure government
safety of life and property, certainty Of
title, absolute equality in opportunity, good
transportation facilities and education by
precept and example that will teach the ma
to add to his store out of the natural re-
sources at hand.
Transportation the Greatest Need.
Al present the greatest Heeu VI tIle ilil-
ippines is transportation. The islands are
capable of producing several times as much
rice. copra, hemp, tobacco. sugar and other
products as are now grown. Hundreds of
thousands of acres are uncultivated, be-
cause there is no way of getting the prod
ucts to market except at a prOhibitive cost.
They are now brought In by bullocks 1t
costs as much to haul hemp twenty-five
miles as it does to raise it, so that away
fvn ctr nd 10 no
land in the world Is absolutely worthless.
A first-class railway system, supplemented
by the proper water transportation, VIII
solve the problem and ought to bring about
almost instant prosperity to the people. 1t
will certainly increase the exportable prod
ucts many fold and there is a demand for
everything that can be raised here.
There are other considerations also. "A
railway from Manila to Bagio would take
people out of the tropics and in six hours
put them into country as cool. healthy
and attractive as the AdirOndacks. But
good hotels are equally necessary. The gov
eminent can afford to sink s1500OO year
in encouraging the establishment OF GOOD
hotels, for without them you cannot get
people to come here, and as long as people
will not come the islands Will have a pad
reputation AMI the much-needed immigrant
with capital and energy and brains Will
stay away. And he is needed mere very
badly If we are allowed to build the pro
posed railways we will put up good hotels
as a part of the railway system at every
place they are needed and will see that
they are well kept
MY Investigations have been confined to
Iuzon" continued Mr.. Swift and before
I make my report to my associates at nome
| do not care to go further into details,
but l can say that we are willing to under
take the proposed railroads. we nave that
much faith in the future Of these Islands.
Filipino Labor Praised.
Have you any anxiet: on the labor ques-
tom | asked.
None whatever" replied Mr.. Swift. Our
experience with Filipino labor has been sat
isfactory We have had from 500 to 5000
ratives working for US for nine months, and
they are as good a concTcting and track
laying gang as you can find in the United
States. We pay them about 40 cents day
gold; theytwork nine hours. an average of
five and a half days in the week, and every
day except religious fcstas. The women
come around Saturdays and get their hus-
bands pay and make them keep at work,
because they need the money. Their wants
are beginning to expand, AND they take the
trouble to get hold of the money before
their husbands lose it over the gambling
table or at the cock fight The Filipino
laborer is a good deal like a full-grown
child, nd you have 20 treat him gingerly.
He is It'll of whims and vanities, and is
unlike any other human being. But under
the dire elton of men VINO understand his
nature he is tractable. obed!ent and indus
trious. He is very fonG of novelties, and
many poople attribute our success in han
ding the native wOrkmen to the fact that
we give them lunch in the middle of the
day. It is a novelty to them. They never
heard If such thing before; it touches
their vanity, and, while 1t costs US very lit
tie. not more than cents a day per capita
II III thousands of tollIr RS -