The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22
BY WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN.

- ~
-i-h Copyright, 1906, BY Joseph b. BotGss,
z Copyright In Great Brftatn-AH Rights Reserped.
SrNaAPoRE, Jan. 22.-Having in previous
articles discussed the conditions as l found
them IN the Philippines, let US consider
what the United States should do in regard
TO the Flipinos and their islands.
4 First, as to the northern group Of islands,
the islands north OF Mindanao. Have the
Fiipinos a right to self government? Do
they desire self government and indie
pendencee Have they the capacity for
6eh government? " .
The first question must be answered in
the affirmative, IL our theory Of govern
fneft Is correct. That governments derive
their just powers from the consent OF the
governed is either true or false; il true, we
cannot deny its application TO the Filipinos;
II false, we must find some other foundation
for our own Government.
90 The second question / I'm able to answer,
Yes. Ny visit to the Philippines has settled
shis question in my mind.
~ have heard people in America affirm
that the intelligent Filipinos preferred
American sovereignty to self government,
but this Is u~nqualifedly false. Capt. j. A.
Noes, a member Of Gen. Corbin's personal
star, recently made a trip through the
provinces OF Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and
Pangasinan and published a journal Of his
trip In one Of the Manila papers upon his
return. He concluded his observations as
follows:
sThe discharged soldiers who are mar
Red TO native women and who are growing
up with the country and are, therefore, in
q most excellent position to feel the native
pulse, all told me the great majority. OF
the natives have no use Tor us. Ex-inter-
preters and other Filipinos with whom l
was on intimate, cordial relations while
serving In the provinces told me the SAM
thing.
II have, therefore, from the foregoing;
come to the conclusion hat the Fflipinos
may be divided into three classes: (d) The
precious few comprising those who are
really friendly toward the Americans and
think our Government beneficial to the
Islands; o. those who are in some way
beneiciaries OF the Government and enter
tain for US what may be termed 'expedisnt
friendship; (o) the great majority, who ha 70
absolutely no use for us and to please whom
We cannot get out OF the islands any too
coon"
BRLIN FOB INDEPENDENCE.
The conclusion drawn by Capt. Moss
10 warranted by the facts and the feeling
for Independence is stronger in Manila, II
possible, than in the provinces. talked
with Fiipinos, official and unofficial, and
while they differed in the degree of friend
illness which they felt toward the United
States all expected ultimate Independence,
The college students of Manila in the
various law schools, medical colleges and
engineering schools, numbering In all about
1000, prepared and presented to me a me-
mortal Of more than fifty printed pages.
This was prepared by subcommittee, and
afterward discussed, adopted and signed
By the students.
II presented an elaborate review OF the
economic, industrial and political situation,
viewed from the standpoint of these young
men. It criticized certain acts OF the Ameri-
can Government thought to be unjust and
cot forth arguments in favor of self gov
ornment and Observation-Disclosures 80
fundamental and 30 consistent with Ameri-
can ideals that no American statesman
would AVE publicly disputed them ten
years ago,
MKRICA LACK OF SYMPATHY.
The Flipinos point out that the Ameri-
cans lack that sympathy for and interest
in the Filipino necessary to just legisla-
ton and this argument is no reflection
upon the good intentions Of Americans.
In fact, good intention Ia generally ad-
mitted, but Americana at home recognize,
a. do Fiiipinos here, that good intentions
ere not all that 10 required.
We have in the United States mel OF
equal general intelligence but differing
- =. .-~zothu that M amount 0f ROnd
intent can keep one from doing hat the
other regards as unjust. Take, for IN.
stance, the representative capitalist and
the average laboring man; neither would
feel that the other, however well meaning
wss competent to speak for him,
The Filipinos also deny that the Ameri-
rams are sufficiently acquainted with Philip
pine affairs to legislate wisely. We also
recognize the force Of this argument at
home and we leave the people OF each State
10 act upon their W affairs.
THE people Of a city would resent in
reference in their local affairs by the peo-
pie Of the country, although identical in
race and language. They would resent
Just az much the attempt Of any group OF
men, however wise, to direct their gov
ernment during a temporary residence.
How, then, can Congress expect to legis-
late wisely for people who arc not only
separated from America by the widest OF
the oceans, but differ from the people OF
the United States In color, race, history
and traditional How can a body Of men,
however benevolent and Intelligent, hope
by a few months residence to so identify
themselves with the HHpinoe as TO make
rules and regulations suited to their needs'
r1 a. HIGu sALARIEs-
The Fihpinos also present an argument
against the eSpensiveness OF American
rule; and this argument is not only un-
answerable, but it is directed against an
evil which IL without remedy.
II Americans are to hold Office in the
Philippines they must be well bald. They
must not only receive as much % they
would receive In tho United States for the
same worA. but they must receive moro