Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-20
INSULAR EDUCATION
EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS IN
PHILIPPINES DISCUSSED.
Noted Addresses at Today's Session of
Mohonk Conference.-The. Atkin-
sons Remarks.


LAKE MOHONK, N. Y. October 90
The morning session of the Mohonk Indian
conference was devoted to the considera-
ton of problems in the Philippines DR..
Fred w Atkinson of the Brooklyn Poly
technic Institute who organized the
American public school system in the Phil
ippines. was the speaker today. He said
in part;
1.-The Philippines should not be a party
issue. and the action of both republicans
and democrats in refraining from review
Ing the story of our acquisition of them is
cause for feeling of satisfaction. The
problem is larger than any party.
Democratic principles of government
must be considerably modified when the
people to be governed have the racial quail
tiles. traditions and history of the Fiipinos
The difficulties of the problem we are only
now learning to appreciate, and until the
conditions are better known we should be
less prone to destructive criticism of the
pioneer service now being performed
Incapable of Self Government.
1.-THE F'illpinos are incapable of self-gov
eminent; in their affairs they are managed
by few leaders They have not yet cul-
tivated a sense of fair play and tolerance
for those who differ in opinion. They are
chlldlilSe and do not know what is best for
them. independence is their cherished
ideal. and that they may ultimately realize
that ideal is, | believe, the uneXpreSSed
purpose of those who have undertaken the
tutelage of these peoples. How far re-
moved is this realization ii is beyond our
power to predict the proximity or distance
of 1t must remain matter of opinion. For
some time to come their political depend
ence upon the United States must be very
real.
what is best for the Filipinos Is the
foremost consideration in the administra-
tion of their affairs, and the desire to put
their interests first rather than to foster
American exploitation has animated The
United States Philippine commission in all
it's acts. The commissioners have erred,
If In any direction. in giving too great de-
gree of self-government in both provincial
and municipal affairs.
Interesting Experiment.
From a purely scientific point of view
the experiment is interesting as an attempt
to do what has never been done before with
an oriental race of Malay origin in the
tropics. The Filipinos will become Ameri-
canized only in the sense that they will
speak English and adopt American innova-
lions, as individual characteristics will be
retained. The Filipino himself will always
remain such as he was under the LatiniZlng
process of the Spaniards. With this in
view, the commission has attempted to es-
tablish firm and strong government, but,
on the other hand has interfered just as
little as possible with the customs. man
ners, ceremonials and beliefs which go to
make up the individuality of people
among the greatest difficulties that the
promoters of free education have found to
contend with are the apathy of the lowest
class and the antagonism of the highest.
In the Philippines the masses have learned
little else than the catechism and the higher
classes have acquired hardly more than
veneer. Education is now desired appar-
emily with great eagerness, but when the
novelty wears off and hard work Is re-
Quired, attendance decreases. For the pres
ent at least purely utilitarian view of ed
ucation must be accepted, yet the ideal for
the future must be a higher one-namely,
development of physical and intellectual
powers. strengthening of moral character,
widening of sympathies, and, incidentally,
preparation for citizenship.
Popular Education Helpful.
81 can not agree with the view that pop
ular education in the Philippines Is likely
to do harm rather than good. and that the
people would remain better and happier
without it. My liking for the people and
knowledge of their character arouses me In
the hope; my belief in the ability tact and
courage of the American teacher creates in
me the faith. and my observation and judg
ment confirm me in the conviction that pop
ular education of the Filipinos IL not I'M
duly hurried. and If conducted along prac-
teal lines, will prove an ultimate success"
DIR. Atkinson was followed by w. Leon
Pepperman of the bureau of insular affairs
of the War Department.
Mr.. Pepperman's Remarks.
Mr.. Pepperman said in part
THE problem of the savage races of the
Philippines is not the same problem we
have to meet In this country among the In
dams. With the exception of the Moros
they are not particularly warlike, and do
not combine in large numbers for offensive
purposes. Most of them have welcomed
the school teacher among them, and in
time 1t is hoped they will take on the hab-
Its OF civilization"
After describing In detail the general form
of government under which the Philippines
are now controlled, Mr.. Pepperman con-
tinued:
I'm addition, an educational system has
been established with over 1000 schools
in the Islands: a monetary system which
affords fixed medium of exchange has
been adopted and effectually substituted for
the former debaSed currency; an efficient
postal service has been established; the
islands have been gridironed with tele-
graphs and telephones and tied together
by cables; extensive harbor improvements
are under way; highways are being con-
structed the islands have been placed in
d sanitary condition; the first census of the
islands has been taken. and the garrison
of American troops has been reduced to
twelve thousand officers and men, aside
from the Filipino scouts.
"AU OF the expense OF the adminiStra-
ton of the government and all the re-
suits already attained. heretofore enumerat-
ed, have been met by the revenues in the
Philippine Islands. 1t will be seen that
many public improvements which in this
country are paid out of federal funds
have been met out of the revenues OF the
insular government
ut will doubtless be a surprise to many
to know to what extent the F1lipinos have
voice In the present government of the
islands Without going into detail 1t may
be stated that while there are about 1,JOO
Americans in the civil service OF the general
government and about $500 Fllipinos in the
general government service. there are only
100 Americans and over 1900 Filipnos in
the provincial and municipal governments.
This does not include teachers In the edu-
cational department of whom 1000 are
Americans and upward of $500 are Filipi-
What has been done in the Islands has
been accomplished by the most careful con-
sideration of the good of the people and the
growth and development of the race: but
the commercial and material prosperity OF
which the islands are capable cannot be
brought about without additional congress
slonal legislation.
Whatever may be thought about the po-
Ntical future of the Philippines or their re-