The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-20
NO PARTY ISSUE.
DIR. Atkinson, Who Organized
Philippines School System,
Discusses the FilIpinos Before
the M0honk Convention.
PECULIAR CONDITIONS.
Are Little Understood In Amer.
lea He Declares.
Natives Are Far from Being Fit
ted for Independence.
PECULIAR CONDITIONS.

Lake MOhOnk, N. L, OCT. ZO.-IO-
days session of the Mohonk Indian
conference was devoted to 4he consid-
Grafton of problems in the Philippines.
DR.. Fred W. Atkinson of the Brooklyn
Polytechnic institute, who organized
the American public school system in
the Philippines was the first speaker
today. He said in part:
"Of the few countries where the old
order still continues with but slight
modification and where such a diver
sity of conditions, inteAests, and lam
guages exists as to make the problem
bewildering in the infinity of its
phases. the Philippine islands are
among the foremost; while in us
Americans who have assumed the tu-
.telage of these Oriental islanders, this
general interest becomes merged in
the feeling of serious responsibility
which rests upon us for the ultimate
successful accomplishment of the task.
There seems to be a dearth of ac-
curate, whole truth information on the
Philippine situation. At first it was
peculiar practice; habit or dialect
without labelling it with the exact 10
cality where found; for such was but
a far removed modified specimen of a
most diversified family and the error
lay in assuming that to be the generic
which was merely the Specific,-an err
ror which has led to a most unfortu-
nate difference of conceptions as to
what the problems really is, and what
the solution ought to be.
THE Philippines should not be
party issue; and the action of both
Republicans and Democrats in re-
framing from reviewing the story of
our acquisition of them is cause for
feeling of satisfaction. The problem is
larger than any party.
Democratic principles of govern
rx1-r-r, III n1f
when the people to be governed have
the racial qualities, traditions and his
tory of the Filipinos- The difficulties
of the problem we are only now learn
ing to appreciate, and until the condi-
tions are better known, we should be
less prone to destructive criticism OF
the pioneer service now being perform
ed.
THE F'ilipinos are incapable of self
government; in their affairs they are
managed by a few leaders. They have
not yet cultivated a sense of fair play
and tolerance for those who differ in
opinion. They are child-like and do not
know what is best for them Indepen-
dence is their cherished ideal and that
they may ultimately realize that ideal
is, believe, the unexpressed purpose
of those who have undertaken the
of these peoples. How far re-
moved is this realization is beyond our
power to predict; the proximity or dis
lance of 1t must remain a matter or
For some time to come Ine1T
political dependence upon the United
States must be very real.
What is best for the Filipino is the
foremost consideration in the admins
tration of their affairs; and the desire
to put their interests first rather to fos-
ter American exploitation has animated
the United States Philippine commission
in all its acts. The commissioners have
erred, if in any direction, in giving too
great a degree of self-government in
both provincial and municipal affairs.
THE details of the organization of
civil government need not be dwelt
upon now; suffice 1t to say that py
formulating civil and criminal codes
and organizing on a comprehensive
scale department and bureaus of gov
eminent. the commission has done much
in the matter of paving the way to I'LL
innate success.
LAS a result of our general policy,
there are signs of an increased friend
illness between Americans and Fillpinos
and much now appears to create a
feeling of cheerfulneSS. Bitter memories
of what have been naturally still exist
and there are Filipinos who view our
presence with a feeling of dislike, the
predominant reason for which is the
natural idea that through the Amerl-
cans they. have lost an independence all
but attained. Yet, without overrating
the intensity and permanence of the
manifestations of good will which have
greeted our efforts, we may feel that
the leading Filipinos. whether from ex-
pediency or real appreciation, are CO.
operating with the commissioners and
their subordinates.
From a purely scientific point of
view the experiment is interesting as
ali attempt to do what has never been
done before with an Oriental race of
Malay origin in the tropics. The Fill
ipinos will become Americanized only
in the sense that they will speak En-
glish and adopt American innovations.
the individual characteristics will
be retained. The Filipino himself will
always remain such as he was under
the Latinizing process of the Span
iards. With this in view, the commits
sion has attempted to establish a firm
and strong government, but, on the
other hand. has interfered just as lit
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