Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-12-06

IiI;1ot;as, e 4. - vi Vi building mn a
lilzation Of their own. l Grm,v up civ
t tnat we can help hem to rise b;ohs hoeiieve
higher IN the scale of civili1ass;ner and
OF capacity for self government and
most hrmly hope that in the oSs ana |
VIII De able to stand. if pot they
alone, yet In some such relatiou 0atrely
united States as Cuba now stond1 70 Ihe
end is not yet in sight, and ~ -. Inis
lndehnltely postponed if our may nay be
Foolish enough to turn the ottp'e are
the f1lipinos away from tho .tpn nraIi OF
OF achieving moral and material iiTDieins s
perlty, OF working for a stable PROS
ana just government and tow2,5 S'uerly
lsh and dangerous intripues Co.. Iool'
plete independence for which o. com
as yet totally unfit. '"ey are
On the other hand our ,oo.,-
keep steadily before their minds "'us' tIt
fact that the justification for onr IN! .ue
IN the Philippines must ultimatelv guy
ehieiiy upon the good we are able g. esI
IN the islands. l do not overIooL ~. uo
fact that in the developments of on. Iue
terests In the Pacific ocean and IL
the coasts, the PHILIPPINES have nIas.ns
and VIII play an important n,rt tSe1
that our interests have been sar,,o5 ~ ~
more than one way by the possoss;a"
of the islands. But our chief rooso, ''lou S,'
continuing to hold them must bo tbo4
we ought in good faith TO trv 60 5e
our share of the world Is work and az,
particular piece of work has baon r' ;,,
posed upon us by the results of tbo ,
with Spain. The problem presented "ta ta
us In the philippine islands is akin to
but not exactly like the problems nre'
sented to the great civilized mowers
which have possessions in the oriant
There are points of resemblance in onr
work to the work which is being done
by the British in India and Egypt hv
the French in Algiers, by the Dutch in
Java, by the Russians in Turkestap h.,
the Japanese in FOrmosa, but more dc.
tlnctly than any of these powers wa
are endeavoring to develop the natives
themselves so that they shall take an
ever-increasing share in their own GOV.
ernment, and as far as is prudent wa
are already admitting their represents.
lives to a governmental equality with
our own. There are commissioners.
Judges and governors in the islands who
are Filipinos and who have exactly the
same share in the government of the
Stands as have their colleagues who are
while in the lower ranks
If course, the great majority Of the
public servants are Filipinos. Within
wo years we shall be trying the experi.
nent of an elective lower house in the
philippine Legislature. 1t may be that
he Filipinos will misuse this legislo.
ure, and they certainly will misuse il
t they are misled by foolish persons
lere at home into starting an agitation
or their own independence or into any
actious or improper action. In such
ase they will do themselves no good
nd will stop for the time being all
urther effort to advance them and give
hem a greater share in their own gov.
But if they act with wisdom
nd self-restraint, if they show that
hey arc capable of electing a legisla.
re which in its turn is capable of tax.
lg sane and efficient part in the act.
al work of government, they can rest
ssured that full and increasing meas
re of recognition will be given them.
.bove all they should remember that
heir prime needs are moral and indus
'ial, not political. 1t is a good thing
try the experiment of giving them
legislature, but it is n far better thing
} give them schools, good roads, rail
'ads, which will enable them to get
leir proda aNa1 market honest courts,
4 honest NAd efficient constabulary,
ld all that tends to produce order,
'ace, fair dealing as between man and
an, and habits of intelligent industry
I'd thrift. If they are safeguarded
yainst oppression, and if their real
ant, material and spiritual, are studied
telligently and in spirit Of friendly
mpahy, much more good will be done
EN- than by any effort to give them
litical power, though this effort may
its own proper time and place be
oper enough.
Meanwhile our own people should re-
'mber that there.is need for the high
standard of conduct among the
nericans sent tothe Philippine islands,
t only among the public servants, but
long the private individuals who go
them. 1t is because. feel this so
eply that in fhe administration Of
ese islands nave positively refused
permit any discrimination whatso-
er for political reasons, and have in
ted that in choosing the public ser
nts consideration should be paid sole
to the worth of the men chosen and
the needs of the islands. There is
higher body of men in our public
vice than we have in the Philippine
lnds under Governor Wright and his
ociates so far as possible these
n should be given a free hand, and
ir suggestions should receive the
.rty backing both of the executive
of the congress. There is need Of
'igilant and disinterested support OF
public servants in the Philippines
good citizens here in the United
tes. Unfortunately, hitherto those
our people here at home who have
nially claimed to be the champions
the Filipinos have in reality been
II worst enemies. This will continue
be the ease as long as they strive 20
re the FlipinOs independent and stop
development of the islands
crying out against the laws which
Id bring il on the ground that capi-