The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-07
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK
independence for the philippines.

To the Editor of The Journal.
The press has lately contained numer
Gus illusions, editorial and otherwise to
the recent remarks of GeneraS Luke
Wright regarding the harm done by the
discussion in this country Of the ques-
ton of independence for the Philippines
We are constantly told that all discus
sion of independence leads to futile hope
and irritation. I wonder If any Of you
editors have read the paper Of DR.. David
H. Doherty Of Chicago, presented to the
Fifty eighth congress-, by Senator Hoar,
and published as Senate Document No
ITO. -- -...- -.
After spending five years in the study
Of the Filipino language and literature,
DR.. Doherty spent three months in travel
and social intercourse with all classes of
the natives, and in this paper gives his
observations. He acknowledges that his
views have undergone some changes and
that he now believes that the United
States was justified in taking over the
islands from Spain and that the civil
government of the Philippines is a justi-
fable expedient." DR.. -Doherty, how
ever, condemns the administration of JUS
tice in the lower courts, the treatment
of the natives by the military and the
harsh, ignorant and unsympathetic treat
ment of laborers. He condemns the pro-
declares that 1.-The Filipinos can and will
work faithfully and properly when they
are managed intelligently.'' So
AS regards the Benguet affair." which
has been mentioned to the -disparagement
Of the Filipinos as laborers, it is declared
that the offerl of only Is cents a day to
the Filipino, while. the American laborer
was paid 81, was not equitable. Besides,
| they were subjected to such outrageous
conditions that had Americans been sim
| ilarly treated "they would most probably
not only not have worked, but would per-
haps also have mobbed the persons re-
sponsible for their predicament."
| At Fort San Pedro in Panay, the quar-
| termaster paid his Filipino laborers go
cents day in silver while the American
| laborers received $3.50 month in gold,
with soldiers rations. The foreman is
quoted as saying: .zfWhenI see thin goo
COOS bucking up hay. in that loft I know
we're doing them dirt, for they can't live
| on pesetas a day." ,a. u" :.
| DR.. Doherty found the Filpinos sober,
clean, domestic, hospitable. and religious.
! Nobody stole from me and the only peo-
pie who lied to me Wore Americans" r.
! The administration Of law in the higher
courts is commended but with the Jus
tice courts and the constabulary the ma
| tives have small show for Justice Among
| the causes of this condition, Dr. Doherty
mentions the following: First, the lack Of
a definite political status; second, the irri-
tation caused fhy the tabulary, the
yellow press, the commercial, pirates and
the ex-soldiers; third, the social taboo
which some Americans Especially from
| the southern states) enforce against the
brown man, and the oriental habit OF
abuse of servants; in which many have
| already become adopts. .>>..z>' ~ , - ~
/ AS. remedial measures of prime impor-
lance, the following recommendations are
made; ~..., -- >.- .,..-. e..
First-Remove or greatly reduce the
Dingley tariff as against the Philippines
. Second-Settle definitely their polittca
status, because such a course will be ar
act of fundamental justice, remove doubts
as to the future, which hampers botf
American and Filipino business men, ant
y restore true peace and moral security tx
the islands. All that is necessary is {
definite pledge Of q plebiscitum on the
question Of annexation or. independence
to be held, say ten years after the organ
ization Of the legislative assembly.
If the people of this country could gen
orally read this paper of DR.. Doherty's
they would rise up IN indignation ant
:, force. congress to do justice to the Philip
pines. ~, -.
You will remember, Mr.. Editor, tina
, when the Philippine bill was before con
! gress, Mr. Mccall Of Massachusetts, urge
a definite pledge Of independence on tn
ground Of the difficulty of securing sucl
, action at some future time, when Amer
, lean financial interests" should have be
come strongly entrenched in the islands
Of great interest in this connection /
the recent statement, ascribed to a prom
inent lunberman, that the finest timbe
and mining lands In the Philippines ha
already been secretly acquired and tina
q there was not the slightest probabilit
Of fho ic1o nd nm n
the United States. -s. III.
1t seems to me that, in view Of the evi
- dence presented by DR.. Doherty, thos
men who are unwilling to give the Fill
pinos the benefit Of a definite promise fc
the future status Of the islands. hay
> much more to do to satisfy their claim
= Of disinterested benevolence than tn
l. most radical anti irnperialists who dc
II mand for the Philippines immediate indie
IS pendence. Edward J.. Brown.
COTTT n READ RETWEEN THE TIME