Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-03-03

The coutcmptuous treatment Of the
Filipinos by the American officials in the
islands is disclosed in striking fash.
ion by Mrs Elsie CLOVIS Paron, who
recently visited the archipelago. She
is daughter Of Henry Clews, the New
York banker. and wife Of Herbert Par.
sons, president Of the New York Re.
publican county committee. She is a
lecturer and writer on sociology. and
a most capable observer Of social
conditions.
In an article published by the 1ndc.
pendent, Mrs Parsons says there is very
little sympathy between the Americans
and the Filipinosj that even the most
educated, refined and Travelled native
women Of Manila are lighted or ignored
by American society In that city The
barrier, she declares, is raised by The
Americans themselves Tho entertain
mcnt Of the Taft party is mentioned
as afording numerous instances Of
this Strange as ii may seem, not
Filipino girl or woman was invited 90
meet Miss Roosevelt, although In the
native society there are many persons
Of superior culture and charming man.
ncFa II appears the hospitality cx
tended by one Filipino lady was met
with the notification that she would
have 20 engage a Chinese cook II she
wished 10 entertain two members Of the
Taft party, as she had proposed. But
lct us hear from Mrs Parsons IN her
own Words
The daughter Of ono Of tho most
prominent native officials, cultivated
aHd distinguished lady, told me that
under no circumstances would she 90
20 tho Malaeahan (ths governors pal,
aee), as she understood that she was
not welcome there She added that all
her friends felt In the same way. In
pointing out the contrast Of past and
present 10 me, another Filipino lady
showed me with pride a photograph OF
herself aud NlTs, Taft, both 10 Filipino
dress."
A change seems 70 have come over
Taft. When governor Of the islands,
Il appears, he was very popular among
tho natives, treating them with great
consideration. Pghaps the artistic.
cratic air Of Washington and the In
huenee OF White House society have
changed him for the worse
The snobbeTy Of American officials
and their women in Manila appears
the more ridiculous and contemplate
when Il is known that these carpet
baggers, as rule, are OF an inferior
sort. Mrs. Parsons plainly says that
what is really needed in the Philip
pines is a higher type Of American
officials "if the Mckinley Taft e,nea'
tional policy is 10 have any chance Of
success" She adds in serious tones
'It would be wen II the character Of
a mans wife also played a part In his
qualifications as colonial administrator
IL certainly demands men aud women OF
the highest moral and mental ealibeT'
practical people, but people with faith
and enthusiasm. With few exceptions
the Americans al present in the Phil
ippines, in both Ofieial aud unofficial
life, are not Of this type. The Fihpinos
who have been in America appreciate
this fact, aud herein is naturally an
other source Of discomfort with AmeTi-
can occupation "
Assuredly the policy Of benevolent
assimilation" is not likely 10 be pro
NOTED by a set Of insolent, suPereilious
Office holders and their wives and
daughters, who consider the natives
beneath them. And it is well known
that il is customary FOR the American
soldiers in the islands to speak OF the
natives as "niggers " This is ePe-
eiallv the ease with the soldiers from
the south. These educated FliPinos are
not negroes. In their veins flows Cas-
tilian blood. In general they are well
educated, polite, courteous, kindly
eultivated-in every way far superior
70 the Americans who 60 over TO snub
them.
There are millions Of educated FIJI
pinos. and as a race they are all proud
and sensitive. Very naturally they re-
sent any Determinations founded on
race or color, especially when snoo-
bery is exhibited toward them BY
American once hOlders whose claims
nd lHrf n