Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-08-14
SUCCESS OF GOVERNOR MAGooN.
of the Proposed Transfer
to the Philippines.


Washington rumor has IL that the Hon
Charles E. Magoon, at present governor
of the canal zone in Panama. may
shortly be transferred from Ancon to
Manila. In a general way this announce
ment will please the rapidly increasing
number OF those who doubt the wisdom
OF American methods in dealing with the
F'ilipinos. Governor Magoon has evidently
succeeded in pacifying the disaffected ele-
ments on the isthmus. 1t is quite as evil
dent that the earnest and painstaking on
Gals who conduct the civil government
at Manila Just. now, or have been dis
charging that delicate function in the last
two or three years, are in hotter water
than they were at the outset, with every
reason to apprehend a particularly active
ebullition in the near future. Governor
Magoon, on the other hand took charge
OF the canal zone at time of bitter popu-
lar discomfort. Almost the entire body Of
the natives was in eruption. They disa-
greed among themselves. no doubt. but
they were as one in hating 1.-The American
Intervention" From Panama to Colon, the
whole zone was seething with eabals, black
with scowls, vocal with imprecations,
brooding conspiracy.
This condition. however, Mr.. Magoon
speedily transformed. Within a few
months the clouds lifted. The Panamans
discovered, to their. astonishment and de-
light. that the new governor had no de-
s!gns on their private comings and goings;
no intention OF regulating their personal
morals; no wish to order their dress be-
havior, customs, ideas. thoughts or aspira-
lions. He exhibited not the slightest ten
dency to lecture and discipline them. He
respected their traditions. recognized their
right to individuality. and In all other
ways appealed to their confidence and SYM
pathy. He applied. in fact, that touch of
human nature which never fails to reach
the heart; and the result is that he pre-
sides today over a territory and a people
that have never known real content be-
fore. He has achieved in Panama what the
Navy department. maintaining the wise
initiative Of Captain sebree and Captain
Tilley. has achieved in Tutuila-reconciied
an alien and a subject people TO a regime
of law and order, without the smallest
invasion Of its amour propre. The United
States has not been wholly happy In its
efforts toward benevolent assimilation, and
Il is natural that those who have watched
the course and intelligently appraised the
triumphs of Governor Magoon In Panama
should take heart from the suggestion that
he be sent 10 the Philippines. where the
conditions are practically identical with
those he found awaiting him on the 18TH
mus a year so ago.
We are by no means confident, however
that this transfer will be crowned with
equally benehcient consummation. II
seems TO be understood that Mr. Masoon
is TO go TO Manila as a subordinate, as
lieutenant governor. In fact. II that be
the case, It Is much too soon TO make
halcyon predictions. Unless Mr.. MaEoon
is TO be invested with supreme authority
and permitted to formulate and execute
his own policies. 1t is difficult to see why
he should be sent to the Philippines at
all. Arguing the future from the past he
would transplant 10 Manila the same meth
DDS he has exploited with such remarkable
success In Panama. BY the same token
however, those methods would find scant
favor under the existing dlspensation. 1t
is conceivable that rumor. on this occasion
as on countless occasions In the past, may
have no serious foundation. There is lit
tie doubt however. that the situation IN
the Philippines sorely neecs a man OF Mr.
Magoons wisdom ana disoSs-.an