New-York tribune., 1905-06-15
PHILIPPINE POLITICS.
Radicals IN Federal Party FAVOR I'M
mediate Independence.

~ -, Occasional Correspondent OF The Trfbuno)
Manila p l. May 9-The Ffpinos, encour-
.sed by the tendency on the part OF the Aiiie'-
tran people to push them forward as rapiois aS
possible are again agitating quick sepai'
,ion from the United States. Whie there h1s
heen no great gain I'm their capacity Ioi SCI
r,,,,o,,r,ant since American occupation, and GER
sainlv not enough to warrant their belief in their
administrative capabilities, there exists through
a., ,,e islands a feeling that they are able 10
stand upon their own legs. and not only carry
~, Int as well improve upon. the paternaI anu
,,a,.,ran+ government now given them uhoer
American administration
%or &c II strange that the insertion, against
,,e wishes of the entire philippine delesatioi
of 2 p,ank in the Democratic PLATFORM eaiAiiAs
for ;heir immediate independence, the mlssuioeu
speeches made by prominent anti-lnipe' laii','
fine different receptions given the flllpiiio 4o"
1rar,- commissioners in the course or tneir NiSi'
70 the United States last year and the uh"ise
,,t+erances of the Democratic press Iliiousio
the last Presidential campaign should nave ieo
The Filtpinos to p more exalted Deilei III 'heii
own capablties and Importance than is SHOWN
\. 4,air performances in the past or their out
look for the future
= .7o.,-aa6 however is the growth Of the
.a,-a,aarce sentiment that it has threatened
Iii. IN tho ranks of the Federal party that may
1ea6 "a its disruption at least to serious lif
pafrrnent of its power for good
To grasp more fully the exact slgnificance OF
the Independence movement as connected WIN
,he Federal party, one must know its origin anu
declared purposes The Federal party was Vi
ranized in 1901 under the direction of Dr- Paroo
de Tavera. Senior Benito Legarda ana Senior
lose Iuzuriaga (now members Of the Phlilppine
commission) and Don Cayetano Arelano' no"
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Of the Fhliip-
nine Islands. Its purpose was declared 10 secure
a peaceful recognition Of the sovereignty OIL inc
1-ritad states in the Philippines. and its growth
was rapid
From its inception the Federal party worked
,n seeming harmony with the military and civil
governments in the islands, and took no small
mart in the general scheme of pacifcatlon Ii
reached its greatest power at the latter end OF
+he Taft regime when it seemed 10 dominate
not only the Filipinos, but, TO a certain extent
the Philippine Commission. Its outlook was
bright and its leaders confident
At his time many Of the party were appointed
to the honorary commission heretofore men
tioned and during their absence in the Onlted
States occurred the first rift which was TO mar
the party's harmony In Manila certain macon
tents were availing themselves of the absence OF
the party leaders to gain control OF the party
They met and resolved, and adjourned 10 meet
and resolve again. and, without gaining any ad-
vantage for themselves, succeeded IN So"lhs us
cord in the party's ranks.
In the United States several Of the conamls-
Eioners who had listened to the unwise speeches
NJ the "anti'' agftators were induced to attend
the Democratic convention in st. Louis. where
they saw the Philippine delegation unseated py
John Sharp Williams under the ruling tnal the
Supreme Court had decided that the Philippine
Islands were not a part OF the Cmted STATES
They listened to the reading OF the plank callng
for the independence OF their country and coulo
not understand the peculiar attitude OF the
Democratic leaders.
Probably the best expression of their feelings
was the remark made by Mariana Trias, who
ranked next to Aguinado in the Philippine in
surrection, who said:
II would seem that we ex-insurgents are more
loyal TO the United States than the gentlemen
who framed the Philippine plank in the Demo-
cratic platform
Thus. fostered by the unwise utterances of
Democrats and 'antis" began in the hearts OF
the Filipinos most capable of appreciating
American institutions a distrust Of Americas
singleheartedness in her expressed intention of
lifting the Filipino people TO a level with herself
Since the return of the commissioners to the
islands the continued refusal Of Congress to re-
duce the customs tax on tobacco and sugar, and
ITS avowed Intention TO extend the United States
coast trading laws to the Philippine Islands have
been other causes OF dissatisfaction among the
prominent leaders of the party, who have at
times expressed their opinion that while in real
ity the Philippine Islands are part of the
United States they being wrongfulIy de-
pTlved of the natural market for their products
and a. The same time are being selfshly exploit
ed by group of Washington politicians
This being the state OF affairs the more radi-
fCal element is anXiOrS fO te
possible from the United States and set up its
own form of government beneath the protection
OF the American flag
The conservatives still are inclined to await
the action Of the next Congress- as they expect
great results from the visit OF Secretary Taft
ailo party this summer. They are preaching pa-
hence aad endeavoring with certain amount
OF success 10 keep the dissatisfied element with
an the partys lines until the arrival of Secretary
CanEnEI,s-c