The San Francisco call., 1906-04-14
FILIPIN0S NOT READY
FOR SELF-G0V
SAYS GENERAL SMITH
But the United States Works
to Prepare Them for
independence.
ISLANDS WILL NOT BE SOLD
ISLANDS WILL NOT BE SOLD

MY administration will follow the char
acter of those preceding me, in harmony
with the first instructions of President
Mckinley. backed by those of the present
President 1t will be along the principle
of the Philippines for the Filipinos, with
an implied promise of independence when
they are ready for independence, and an
earnest effort to prepare them for that in
dependence by education and promotion
of prosperity"
This was the statement made by Cen
eral Smith after his arrival yesterday.
General Smith has been appointed Gov
ernor- general of the Philippines, the ap-
pointment TO take effect on September 10.
That the Filipinos should be given inde-
pendenee when they are ready for it is
General Smiths opinion. But he is op-
posed to the setting of any time for the
granting of that independence.
The United States in all its dealings,
he said, must show itself absolutely hon
est. Its promises must be carried out to
the letter l think that the Filipinos
should be given independence when they
are ready for it. No set time must be
fixed in advance, however. Complications
might arise which might make the grant
impossible at the time set, and then the
United States would be placed in the d.
lernma of having either to break its prom
ise or grant independence at an unfavor-
able moment"
WANT INDEPENDENCE.
AS TO the desire of the Filipinos for in
dependence General Smith said: Taking
the great majority of the Falipinos, there
is no doubt that they wish independence
at some time. 1t is all question of time.
I don't believe there is one intelligent
Filipino that wishes independence right
away They realize that the great BODY
is not ready for self government and that
the wealth of the country is as yet far
from being what would be necessary to
conduct an Independent government.
They realize that they would need an
army; they realize that, with a coast line
longer than that of the United States.
they would require navy, and they know
that the present resources of the country
are inadequate for all this. The United
States, by educating the people as it is
doing and by promoting prosperity, will
bring the Filipinos TO the stage of devel-
opment when they will be worthy of in
dependence"
OF the general feeling Of Filipinos to-
ward Americans General Smith said: '.On
the whole have found the Fflipinos a
lovable people If you treat them right
they are your friends for keeps On the
other hand. if you treat them wrong they
are your enemies for keeps. In the first
years of American occupation they dis
trusted the Americans. The establishment
Of schools throughout the islands, the
large autonomy given to municipalities,
the equality of justice administered and
the granting of legislature, which will
sit for the first time next year, together
with the general character of our rule
has greatly allayed this feeling.
SUSPICION Is REMOVED.
They are now pretty nearly sure that
We will DO the right thing by them. a
scintilla Of suspicion, of course, remains.
They still watch Hs closely It is for
this reason that the failure to let down
the bars upon their sugars and tobaccos
is very regrettable"
AS TO the general prosperity of the
Islands and the chance for Americans
there, General Smith said that the pres
ent was time of reaction The first
few years after the occupation were goI-
den ones for the Americans there. he
said Since that reaction had come in.
resulting from the wars, the rhinder-
pest and surra, which had destroyed all
the agricultural cattle, and the epidemic
of cholera
"All these things" he said, have. Of
course, enormously decreased the pur-
chasing power of the people with conse-
Quent depression Last years crons
however, were very fine, this years are
also magnificent, and with another good
year the islands will have entirely re-
covered from the past calamities Lately
number Of young energetic Americans
have. settled in Mindanao and they are
making fortunes in hemp plantations
AS TO the uacifcation of the islands
IL ~
over by far the greatest part There
have been since the occupation three SEN
aratc causes of trouble" he said. "In
the provinces of Cavite and Bataneas
there were ladrone bands The chiefs OF
these have been nearly all exterminated
and few outlaws remain in the hills The
troubles in Samar are due TO the heredi-
tary feuds between the mountaineers and
the lowlanders and the situation there is
being surely mastered. In Jolo, Minda-
mao and Bohol the troubles come from
the fanatIcism of the Mohammedan tribes
and there punitive expeditions are having
a wholesome effect. On the whole an
American can travel alone nearly every-
where in perfect safety
General Smith placed no credence in the
report that Japan is seeking to negotiate
for the purchase of the Philippines "I
think there is absolutely no truth in the
report ne Sdlo-- IN the nrSt place, L
doubt If Congress would have the power
to sell the islands. Secondly, it would
be against all American principles to sell
the Philippines without their consent and
the Filipinos show no inclination to con-
sent to such a bargain. They are, in
fact very much worried over the rumor
and look upon the idea with undisguised
repugnance."
General Smith will soon go to visit his
parents in Cloverdale, Sonoma County.
Afterward he will probably go to Wash
ington. He will return to the Philippines
In August to assume the Governorship
on September 15.