The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-12-09

on" stay Iii the Philippines must rest upon
the good We are able to do. do not over
look that In the development of our in
forests i'll the Pacific. the Philippines nav.
played and will play an important part.
But our chief reason to hold them must
be mat we in good faith try to do the
snare OF the worlds work imposed upon
us by she war with Spain. The problem
presented to us in the islands is akin to
pioolciiis presented to other powers In the
orient. There are points of resemblance
to the work of the British in India and
EGYPT, the French in .Algiers, the Dutch
III Java, the Russians In Turkestan. the
japanese in Formosa: but more than any
OF these we are endeavoring to develop the
natives 10 take an increasing share in
the1r own government. There are COM
missioners. Judges and governors who.are
filipinos. and who have exactly the same
snare in the government as have their-col-
leagues who are Americans. while In the
lower ranks the majority OF public SER
wants are Filipinos. Within two years.we
snail be trying the experiment of an cleo
tive lower house in the Philippine legisia-
thrc. The Filipinos will misuse this legis-
iature II mslcd by foolish persons here ar
nome INTO starting an agitation for indie
pendence, or into any factions or improper
action. In such case they will stop for the
'lme all effort to give them a greater
snare In their government. Bul if they act
o'''N 'HShi it'fti uiltt tIlcS EfI
rest assured that an Increasing measure
of recognition will be given them. Their
prime needs are moral and Industrial, not
political. 1t is n good thing to try giving
them a legislature, but it is better to give
schools. roads railroads., honest courts.
honest constabulary. and all that tends to
produce order, peace. fair dealing and
habits OF intelligent industry and thrift.
III they are safeguaracd against opprcs-
sion. and IL their real wants are studied
lnteliS"ntiy. much.nore good will he done
than by any effort to give them political
power.
Attitude of Officials.
Meanwhile our people should remcmbr,
thai thcr" is need for the highest standard
of conduct among the Americans sent to
t'ie Phllippincs. Because ] feel this / have,
refused to permit discrimination for po-
!iucal reasons. and have insisted that in
choosing public servants consideration be
paid so.cly to the worth of the men chosen
anu tic needs OF the ISLAND So far as
possible these men should be given a free
hand, and their suggestions should re-
ceive htarty backing. Unfortunately,
hitherto. people al home who have special
Is claimed to he the champions of the Fill
pinos have in reality ben their worst
This will continue as long as
they strive to make the Filipinos inde-
pendent, and stop all industrial develop
ment by CRYING out that capitalists must
not exploit" the islands. Such proceed
ings are unwisc ai,l harmful 10 the Fill
p.nos. who DO not need independence at
all. but who do need need good laws. good
public servants, and the Industrial de-
velopment that can only come if the in
Nestment Of American and foreign capital
is favored.
Every measure concerning the islands
should he taken With a view to their ad-
vantage. We should certainly give them
lower tariff rates to the United States: il
this is not done it will be wrong to extend
our shipping laws 10 them. I hope for
laws to ensourage American capital to in
vest in the islands in railroads, factories,
plantations. numbering and mining.
Theodore Roosevelt.
The White House, Dec. 5. 1904.