The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-10-12
CASE or THE PHILIPPINES.

CASE OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Editor Providence News
At the request OF eastern friends whom
esteem II affords mo pleasure TO talk
10 you. and your numerous readers, from
A western standpoint, on the subject up
permost in every thoughtful mind during
the present presidential campaign, name
Is, the national welfare, without induls-
ing In any OF the vituperation or abuse
so dear 10 the hearts OF ordinary oppo-
nents, known as spellbinders. and who. I
presume. have never had occasion or OPP
portunity to bind anything respectable or
decent
The justice OF our cause requires neither
apology nor excuse. IL being simply neces-
sary TO refer To some Of the results OF
an administration. characterized by hon
esty OF purpose and beneficial work.
II would seem that one of the grounds
OF difference is the acquisition and pres
ent retention OF the Philippine archipel-
ago. The islands comprising this group
over 1900 In number. were acquired by
conquest from Spain. as consequence OF
the war with that country on behalf OF
the freedom OF Cuba. but preciptated by
the appalling destruction OF the warship
Maine while at anchor in the harbor al
Havana, then under Spanish jurisdiction.
Like all other additions TO the tcrritArial
jurisdiction OF our progressive and ex-
panding nation. they are n very valuable
aud necessary ACQUISITION.
The principal islands OF this group. or
rather archipelago, comprise Luzon. con
tanning II 2SS square miles; Samar. 54c
square miles Leyte. 27i3; Panay. i70s
Mindoro, a72: Palawan. 1887; Bohol 1889
Negros, 1854: Catanduanes. $50: Mindanao,
81. 237. and the Sulu group OF which the
island OF Cebu contains 142 square miles.
Tho entire archipelago. surveyed and
measured contains 1lS.542 square miles
and about 1000 square miles unsurveyed.
INHABITANTS
There are three separate and distinct
races inhabiting these islands.
The Negrltos, considered the native or
original inhabitants. physically and men
tally weak. who have been driven 20 the
mountains, by the invasion of Malsys.
Tho 1ndonesians. residing upon the
island OF Mindanao stronger and more
warlike race. and the unspeakable Malays
comprising about two-thirds Of the s.tirc
population OF fully s.oco,0oo ~ people in
habting these islandF.
The Iudonesian and Malay races are
divided into si seperate and distant tribes.
The Nisayans and Tagalogs. both Malay
an. are the most numerous.
The latter tribe has been the principal
and other partially educated and equally
unscrupulous men, whose main object
was power and plunder and not the es-
tablishment OF free government The
Igorrotes one OF these Malayan sub-divi-
sions or tribes. are physically and mem
tally strong. but barbarous race. In
habiting the mountainous parts OF north
ern Luzon. where head-hunting Is a laud-
able pasume and cannibalism is not un-
known.
The Morros inhabit tho Sallu group and
are very numerous on the Island OF Mon
denso, ruled by sultan and feudal chiefs
O.. 49, NJ
hamedans. polygamous, treacherous
and blood-thirsty race. for centuries aide
ing IN the depopulation OF the Island OF
MIndenao. by their inter tribal wars
waged for the purpose OF procuring
slaves for their own service and for sale
Continued on page Three.