The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-12-20
F|L|P|MOs ON
GOOD BEHAVIOR

Or. Biakesiee, Professor of History
In Clark University. Worcester, Mass,
arrived here by the Siberia and has
remained over to make some studies
and observations here. While he Is
making a tour OF the world. his prin-
cipal purpose is a study OF the Amer
lean possessions in their relation to
current history, as q concrete part OF
the subject of history. and for the
light IL may throw on the history
which is being made each day.
DR.. Blakeslee spent considerable
| time In the Philippines, going pretty
thoroughly over the group. He was
there for a considerable time before
Secretary Taft arrived, and he re-
mained there for some time after the
Philippine Assembly began its work.
| OF the Legislative Assembly he says
that the members more fully repre-
sent the better classes and the bet
ter education and ideas OF the peo-
pie than the average American legis-
lative assembly represents the same
elements In its constituency. Most OF
| the men have been educated in the
colleges of the Philippines and have
taken degrees, mostly in law. in ad-
dition. considerable number have
been educated. in part at least. in
Spain or the United States. One men,
Der is a graduate OF the law Depart
ment of the University OF Michigan
The ''old families and the prouder
and more substantial element ara
largely represented.
The members of the legislative as
sembly,''s says DIR. Blakeslee, ARE so
impressed with the belief that the
eyes OF the world are upon them: that
they must demonstrate the Filipino
fitness for elf-government; that they
are on probation and must acquit
themselves we'll: that. barring some
unheralded and wholly unexpected out
break. it is safer tc predict sane and
sensible results from this legislature
than from any legislature, almost, in
the states.
The president of the assembly Is
vinces have elected their governors. He
was governor OF one of the provinces
elected.-for it must be remembered
that for the past four years the pro-
vinces have elected their governors He
was chosen at a somewhat critical
time. He did a great deal for public
instruction. He put down brigandage.
He restored and maintained order. and
he did much in the way OF public
works. When there was a council OF
governors of provinces called in Ma
Mia some time ago he was chosen to
preside over it. and his record was SO
good that he was elected by acciama-
ton president of the legislative as
sembly.
The most radical man at the legis-
lative assembly is an American-Eiske
Warren, one of the original ant-im-
perialists. He comes Of a good Boston
family. is a man of means. and went
out 10 Manila to be present during this
legislative assembly. He is seeking TO
stir up radical action and TO create
opposition to the government of the
United States.
while I was in Manila, one OF the
most striking incidents was Taft's
speech at the Quill Club dinner. The
Quill Club is composed Of the leading
Americans of the place. It gave a
dinner to Taft A man by the name
of Rossiter, a Presbyterian minister
presided. In the speech at the din
ner. which was witty and clever and
bright, after saying lot of nice things
about Taft. he said in effect. that after
all ii must be recognized that in seek
ing the welfare of the Philippines, the
welfare of the Americans OF the Phil
lpDines was OF first consideration. and
the welfare OF the Filipinos would fol-
low.
Secretary Taft, in replying, travers-
ed this and insisted that the welfare
of the Filipinos was first in considera-
ton. The Cablenews-American took
Taft strongly to task for this. while
The Times defended him There can
De little doubt, however. that Rossiter
spoke the sentiments of.the large ma
ority of the Americans.
I have been much interested in the
problems you have to solve here. II
seems to me that conditions here are
most interesting. i am seeking as far
Is / can to study them
SeeS>sSSscS>SSSSSS>>s S>>sSS>>>c>ee>SsesssS
ng station well within $500 miles. as
his IS, OF every point Of our coast
Inc from Puget Sound to Mexico.
We're there many others available we
night find ii difficult TO exclude them
al There is. however, but the one.
shut out from the Sandwich Islands as
coal base, an enemy is thrown back
or supplies of fuel to distances of
'0OO or 1000 miles-or between 1000
md 5000 going and eoming-an i'm
,edIment to sustained maritime opera
Ions well nigh prohibitive
1 Is rarely that so important a faeter
n the attack or defense of a coast
lne-of sea frOntier-is concentrated
U single position, and the eireum-
tanee renders doubly imperative upon
s to secure it if we righteously can
In 1873 the United States insisted
s one Of the considerations for its
eeIproeity treaty with Hawaii that the
after should not in any way grant any
peelal privilege or right in any port
Q any other government; and. upon
ne extension Of the treaty in lss7.
nat the United States should have the
xelusive right to enter Pearl Harbor
nd establish naval station there.
TINE FOR ACTION.
60 much for past opinion. The rapid-
expanding commerce Of the Pacific
ne approaching completion of the Pan
ma Canal the rhauouoon.I -