New-York tribune., 1905-02-28
THEORY AND PRACTICE OF INDEPENDENCE

THEORY AND PRACTICE OF INDEPENDENCE
Through the courtesy of Mr. Henry /. Hig-
ginson, of Boston, we have received a copy Of
letter concerning the Philippine situation
written to him by Mr.. W. Cameron Forbes. of
the Philippine Commission. The letter which
was written in the autumn and belated by ac-
cident, deals at great length with some phases
OF the problem which were at that time es-
peclally acute owing to the activity of the
Boston anti-imperialists. Matters have ouieted
down since then, but it is worth while to note
the comments of Boston man who has been
upon the ground and compared academic theo-
ries with actual facts. Mr. Forbes, like another
Harvard man, Professor Atkinson the recent
Commissioner of Education, has found that
what is denounced by the anti-imperiaIists as
a policy of despotism and oppression is really
a policy of freedom and justice. To the mass
of ignorant Filiplnos independence means the
freedom of few to Oppress the many" and
our task as "OppreSsOrs' is TO protect the
mass of the people from being i'll treated by
murderous robbers smart enough to conjure
with the phrases kindly furnished them from
Boston
Mr.. Forbes in his letter pays warm tribute
TO Governor Wright as q strong, safe and tact
ful man, Democrat, whose instinct is always
on the side of liberality and clemency, and
adds:
went in to see him the other day and found
him much exercised because Of the action of the
anti-imperialists who. with mistaken zeal,
sending Independence" literature among tha
natives, which is translated and printed quite
freely in the native papers 1t is not the sort OF
tfing against which you want to legisate, but
If the people who do these things understood
what the practical effect Is they would not make
themselves so mischlevous.
After outlining the organization of the gov
orr nd t1a xKbir tIo
FiIipinos already take in its administration Mr.
Forbes proceeds to show the absurdity of try
ing to apply ant-imperialist theories to their
condition. lie says
AS an example of what independence means
to these people they tell of a native who told
his hearers that he would climb up into a tree
and bring down box with independence in It.
This he proceeded TO do, and suggested that
the people should pay linn money. He said
when he had received enough he would open
the box and let independence out. He had moth
ing but some old newspapers IN the box Later
he hanged for numbering some of his
neghbors. Another man who was captured was
asked why he had not come in, and he said he
was waiting until he had got independence
When he was asked how he going TO get il
he said his captain had gone over to another
island and going TO get 1t and bring it back
with him. II seemed to have an idea it was
coming back in his pocket The long and
short of it is that there have always been a
great many robbers or bandits, who, unwilling
to work. have preyed upon those who are work
ers These people, under the guise of lighting
for independence to give themselves a
creditable name. band together and threaten the
working people with all sorts OF atrocities if
they do not give them money and supplies
Comparing these patriots" with the imag-
native pictures painted in Boston. he is led to
declare;
Fisk Warren and other men who believe as
he does have told that these outlaws are
PATRIOTS and that they are. like George Wash
ington and the Adamses. hghting for their coun-
try. AS a matter of fact. they are, as a rule
criminals who fighting for their pockets
II they can get started in any province with
say twenty-five guns. they compel whatever
men they want to Join them, using variousy
eioquence, promises of commissions in a. new
republic. orders OF nobility. booty and other in