The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1907-08-16
the PHILIPPINES.
A South Dakotan who Returns from the Islands
Presents Some Interesting Facts

The Aberdeen News recently
contained an interview with j.
Q. A. Braden, an Aberdeen man
who has spent nine years in the
Philippines, and who is at pre-
sent treasurer of one of the pro-
vinces in theislands. The inter
view throws more light upon the
Philippine question than any
thing we have seen in current
literature, and it is we'll worth
reading. 1t will dissipate some
erroneous impressions which
many of US have formed in re-
gard to these island possessions.
The article is as follows:
J. @. \. Braden, who is at present
visiting Aberdeen, his American
home. after nine years spent in the
Philippines. is of the belief that the
islands will remain American pos
sessions until the end of time. Mr.,
Braden likes the Philippines. He
says he realizes the force of kipllng's
sentiment: "O.take me east of SueZ.'
anu "l'lV lC CdilIoI II llo "CCl
ton, he knows it is there.
To the News. Mr.. Braden says that
he believes America will come out of
it's administration in The PHILIPPINES
its first foreign possessiOn-as the
ideal colonizer. teaching the older
nations the correct theory of how to
govern an alien people and win their
hearts.
Older nations have governed 10y
force, while America is taking the
higher ground of governing by kind.
ness. and by pointing the way of pro
gress to higher conditions of life.
This, Americas first experiment. as
serts Mr.. Braden, is proving a sue
cess and it is becoming more and
more of a success every day.
Mr.. Braden is treasurer of the
province of Amos Camarlnes, and IS
in an exceptionally advantageous posi-.
ton to see the development of the is
lands and it's people. In speaking OF
the development of the Flipinos,
Mr.. Braden said to the News:
1t is really surprising the way these
people have advanced since American
rule was established. The Filiplnos
realize. too, that they are being bene.
fitted and they are taking hold OF the
new ways the Americans are teach
ing them. A good many, | under
stand. have believed that the Filipino
would never rise above Il low
level and that the efforts of the Amer.
leans to educate him would prove
futile. that he. would simply go back
to the stage where his education
started. This is beil.g proven every
5 day to be a false impression.
The Filipinos on the contrary. are
showing an eagerness for educator
!, and there is not one that l have heard
of but who is anxious to learn Eng
llsh. They grasp he opportunity and
when they get it they learn rapidly
There is a good deal OF ability III the
makeup of the Filipino and he is not
Il hope ess proposition by any means.
The only drawback at present is
that we have not money enough al
our command to extend the educa
tional facilities as they should be. St
far there are not enough native
teachers available. but that will he
remedied with time. About Loo
teachers are employed in the islands
and as many native teachers are Sc
cured as possible.
'An schools have some industrial
feature. and this branch of education
is having a marked effect upon thu
natives. One school in the province
in which | live. makes a speciality OF
chair. which is manufactured an
sold. Some considerable remunera
ton is received from this branch
Other schools have a basket industry
Others sewing work for girls, and 81
forth.
I'm all schools the girls are laugh
cooking and domestic science. /
this line YOU would be surprised a
the very apparent effect such teaching
has upon the Filipino home
Through it the native is improve
domestica.ly. These girls see wha
their white sisters do and they q
their level best to initiate the Amer
leans in home life. 1t is maxim
things brighter for them and proves at
tractive to the men of the race. tn
matter of sanitation is given specl;
emphasis and is being needed Clean
illness is becoming appreciated and