Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-02
Progress in the Philippines.

Regardless of all other considerations,
the annual report of the Philippine COM
mission, an abstract of which is printed
in The Star today, shows that the Ameri-
can administration of the islands is max
ing for the welfare of the inhabitants. This
report discloses that the conditions in the
archipelago are better than at any time
previous and 1t ,goes without saying that
they are infinitely better than before the
Americans took Charge. Save for a few
sporadic outbreaks against the established
authority, caused almost exclusively by
thieves devoid of the least semblance of pa
triotc impulses. the islands are peaceful
and the people are tilHng the soil con-
tentedly. Some of the disturbers of the
peace have attempted to give their law
lessness the appearance of political agi-
Tation, but they have not been accorded
the approval of the people. The police
work has been so well done that in all
save the Moro provinces order has been
firmly established In those provinces there
remain some elements of unrest but the
work of winning the confidence of the
Moros has progressed satisfactorily, and
the administration has scored an unQues-
tionable gain during the year in this re-
spect
One of the best strokes for the mainte-
nance of kindly relations between the gov
eminent and the people was delivered. in
Samar. where the native local officials Of
the coast towns reverting to old practices,
have for some time been mulcting the peo-
pie in excessive taxes and using their po-
sitiOns to the ends of private gain by
forcing the planters to sell their hemp
crops at low prices. under pain of prOsecu-
ton on trumpedup charges This nefari-
dtions in Samar have consequently inn
proved steadily.
Such acts of good government must
make for a hearty appreciation by the
natives of the benefits of American occu-
patton, whatever may be the wishes of
the people with respect to autonomy or
independence. These islanders have been
rescued from the grasp of grafters, both
secular and religious. They have been
finally brought to the basis of established
order and immunity from constant insur-
reetions. They have been encouraged in
the adoption of improved methods of agri-
culture. They have been given access on
reasonable terms to great areas hitherto
kept out OF their profitable reach. They
have been given opportunities for education
infinitely superior TO those heretofore af-
forded them. They are being admitted to
a considerable share of their own admins
tration, with promises of extension as
rapidly as their fitness warrants. And
they are likely soon to be granted relief
from the unjust tariff which 'hinders the
marketing of their products, They are
raising larger share than ever of their
own necessities, as shown in this report
by the statement that while the exports in
creased by more than s., 100000 over the
previous year. the imports decreased by
more than 100000 due entirely to the
falling off in importations of rice. Other
wise expressed, the people of the Philip
pines. thanks to improved conditions, po-
litical and agricultural, spent s4,00O,O00 less
for rice than they spent the year before.
These are tangible, practical results of
good government, as contrasted with the
bad government of the past. AS the years
pass these results will multiply, provided
proper legislation is granted and the pro-
gram of improvements is not retarded by
unwise interference. Despite all the diff
culties, the American administration of
Philippine aairs is tustifying itself.