The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-08

are respected fully as much as In conti-
mental Europe, Her influence is felt in
industrial and political life, as well as In
the Church. At one reception a lady law
student delivered an excellent address.
ABLE MN AMoNG THE FILIP1Nos.
Under Spanish rule education was con-
fined to a few. In fact, one Of the indict-
ments brought against the friars by the
natives WAS that educational facilities
were denied to the masses. This, too,
brought the Jesuits, the friends of educa-
tion, into conflict with the friars.
Compa ratively few Of the people en-
joyed tie advantages OF higher educa-
ton and these were a controlling influence
in their respective communities. AS in
Mexico and In Cuba, the cultured men and
women Of the Philippines are thoroughly
refined and polished in manner.
The American Government has had no
dificulty in finding men competent to fill
the Offices which have been assigned to
the natives, three of the seven members OF
the commission and three OF the seven Su-
preme Court Judges being Flipinos. The
Governors and Mayors are nearly all Fill
pinos, as are most Of the Judges Of the
lower courts.
AS there is no satisfactory service by
private boats, the commission furnished
US a coast guard steamer for a tour of the
islands, the passengers paying the cost OF
subsistence, and we were thus enabled to
visit the principal cities. At each OF these
places We found a group OF intellectual
and public spirited men.
At Iloilo, Baoolod. Cebu and Santa Bar
bara there were addresses Of welcome and
public receptions. and the views Of the resi-
dents were presented in clear and we'll
chosen language. At Malolos, the first cap
ital Of the Aguinaldo Government, which
we visited as the guests Of u committee OF
prominent Filipinos, similar speeches were
delivered, which met with the approval OF
the assembled crowd.
At Manila a public dinner was given by
a number OF representative Filipinos,
headed by Mayor Roxas, at which speeches
were made by Filipinos distinguished in
official and professional life. The adj
dresses delivered on these several occasions
would compare favorably with speeches
delivered under similar circumstances in
the United States.
While some Of the persons who took part
in these meetings showed traces OF Spanish
blood, others were Enthusiastically Filipino,
but the racial differences could not be dis
tinguished by the n in which they
performed their parts.
MEETS A~GUIEALDo.
While at Manila I met Gen. Aguinaldo.
first at the reception rendered ts by the
Elks, and later at his own home in Cavite.
Since his capture he has been. living in re-
tirement and has conducted himself in suoh
a manner as to win the appreciation Of the
American officials.
He is small in stature, modest in deport-
ment and manifests a deep interest in the
welfare of his people. He has twice APP
pealed to the Government to establish an
agricultural bank for the relief Of the
farmers, calling attention to the scarcity
Of money and to the high rate Of interest
(sometimes 40 or so per cent charged the
farmers on short loans.
The agricultural mi was referred to by
several speakers during our stay on the
islands, and it Is certain that from an in
dustrial standpoint the Government could
do nothing which would be more bene-
fetal or acceptable to the people.
Duh SCHOOLS COMMENDED.
DR.. Apacible, the head OF the Hongkong
junta during the insurrection, now a prac-
Using physician in Manila, was selected by
the Filipino reception committee to accom-
pany us on or trip, and being personally
acquainted with the leaders of thought he
was able TO bring us into contact with those
who reflected the opinion of the people,
while Capt. Moss, Of Gen. Corbin's personal
staff. and Collector Shuster. representing
the Insular Government. kept us in touch
with the Americans in military and civil
life.
We found everywhere commentator OF
the educational system established by the
Americans. 1t is the one department Of
work instituted by our Government which
seems to rave avoided serious criticism.
| presented this universal commenda-
ton as evidence OF the good intentions Of
our people. pointing out to the Filipinos
that people are apt to assert their rights
in proportion as they increase in intelli-
gence, and that our people would not be
foolish enough to encourage education
IL they really intended to do injustice to
the F%ilipinos,
The large increase in the number Of
students and the interest taken in the es-
JaDllbTIle0J VI SCHOOlS IuuSJ Do bdhSh INV
consideration by any one who attempts
to forecast the future Of the islands. In
many communities there are more people
speaking English to-day than could ever
speak Spanish. and the multitude Of dia-
lects will soon b. dissolved into q common
language.
FILIPINos EAGER TO BIZ EDUCATED.
One superintendent of schools told me
that In his district the attendance was
more then so per cent above the school
population, owing to the fact that grown
men and m with children insisted
upon studying. Another superintendent
reported that she could not find teachers
for all the villages which offered to erect
schoolhouses.
An incident was related by still another
teacher which illustrates the ambition of
the Filipino youth. A Filipino boy who
was working in the home Of an English
woman notified his mistress that he wanted
TO go to school. Being anxious TO keep
him, she offered to raise his wages from
20 pesos a month to 40, but he rejected
the offer, saying that he loved wisdom
more than he loved money.
Besides tho public schools, primary,
,aoo,lary ipJ,ctrial and normal thara