New-York tribune., 1906-11-11
PHLLIPPINE CONDITIONS.

Mr. Erving Winslow, secretary Of the Anti
Imperlalist League, sends TO The Tribune a
translation OF a letter recently received by him
from a Filipino gentleman Of character, means
and influence" which he thinks may posi-
bly enliChten'' this journal and :ts readers "as
TO the fact that there is no reason for discour-
"agement in the Philippines" The letter does
not appear 10 have been intended for publica-
ton. at any rate in full and its length would
preclude such treatment Of it in this place. The
gist of II IS, however. properly. If not very
profitably 10 be set forth and considered.
Mr. Wnslow's Filipino correspondent states
that until few months ago he belonged TO the
Federal party and looked "to improved eco
nomic conditions before independence" but that
now he belongs 20 the Independence party. as
he thinks most F1pnos do and every good
Filipino should, and seeks the immediate inde-
pendence OF the islands under an international
guarantee OF neutrality. He argues that the
Filipinos are exceptionally fitted for indepen-
dence because Of their Inmate qualities of do
cility and love for good order" as shown In
the fact that In Philippine revolutions mot one
"hundredth part Of the disorders and crimes
have occurred which usually mark revolutions
among nations called civilized" He believes
that ''the protective system which prevails in
the United States is incompatible with the
economic progress OF the Philippines and he
deplores "the painful spectacle OF the reversal
'of the instructions Of the lamented Mckinley
that a government of Filpinos assisted by
Americans was 10 be established"
We regret 10 say that this letter does not af-
ford us. and is not likely TO afford our readers
any particular enlightenment save rs TO the
individual mental attitude and opinions of
Mr.. Winslow's correspondent His statements
concerning the conditions prevailing in the
f-.v,fr,n ,op
and, with all due respect to him, are not TO
be accepted further than may be found Judi
cious in comparison with other statements from
other sources just as respectable and authorita-
tive. With his remarks about the protective
system we are partly In sympathy. Nobody
has urged more strongly than we the desira-
bihty Of reducing and, indeed, abolishing the
tariff restrictions between the Philippines and
the United States, and we have faith to be-
lieve that II Will before long be done. Mean
time IL might be Well for this correspondent
and his colleagues Of the Independence party
10 inquire what would be their chances of gain
ing free access to the markets Of America and
Of the world II the islands were made lndepen.
dent Can they imagine that this country would
be any more ready 10 abolish its tariff on Phil
ippine goods then than IL is now? On the con-
uary, the giving OF independence 20 the islands
would necessarily mean the imposition of our
full tariff rates against all Philippine goods.
But even under the present system. which. we
repeat we should like 10 see radically revised
Philippine commerce seems 20 be prospering
The islands are now selling 10 the United States
two or three times as much as they did in the
years before the war. and their sales 10 the
world ar large are also increasing-in 1899 they
were sl286e912 in 1902 they were s2s.s27.e .e7e
and In 1905 they were S32,852,6I5
Courtesy forbids us 20 challenge the CORE
spondents eulogy upon the inmate qualities"
OF his countrymen, though perhaps We might
call into question the mathematical accuracy Of
his estimate that Philippine disorders and
crimes in revolutions have been mot one hun
dredth part as many as In other lands. Just
one hundredth, or even one ninety-ninth vould
be highly creditable record. But we cannot
help recalling the fact that the Philippine Isl
ands are occupied by a number OF tribes or
races, radically differing In blood. In speech. in
religion and IN political institutions and IDEAS.
II is, We believe. a fact that In tho past there
have been bitter conflicts among these. and we
have had strong expressions OF opinion from
patriotic. intelligent and sincere Filipinos that