Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-22
Mostly Conservative


''There are, of course. some members
who are likely at times to make speeches
containing violent language, but on the
whole there seemed to be during our stay
in the islands of two or three weeks after
the organization of the assembly very
earnest wish that the assembly should
show the conservatism which many of us
believe exists in the Philippine people.
rather than give weapon to the enemies
OF the people and popular government by
eXtravance and useless violence of
speech. This conservative course is the
more to be commended because there was
present in Manila some time before the
organization of the assembly, and all the
time L was in the islands, FiSke Warren,
member of the so-calfed anti-imperialist
party having its headquarters in Boston.
He was present chiefly and solely for the
purpose of encouraging the members of
the immediatista party to take those steps
which would prove to be most embarraSS-
ing to the government.
Issue at meetings of leaders of the
party was taken with Mr.. Warren by An
tonic Regidor. a Filipino patriot, who was
for years head of Filipino junta in Lon
don. whence he escaped from Guam, hav-
ing been eXiled to the island b. the Span
iards in 1870. Mr.. Regidor challenged him
to bring documentary proof of his author
ity to speak on behalf of the democratic
party. which. Mr. Warren said, would give
immediate independence to the Philippines
If returned to power. The proofs were not
forthcoming.
Favor Immediate Independence.
Many of the Filipinos." continued the
Secretary. favor theoretically immediate
independence without having fully consid-
cred what 1t means, and when they are
brought fact to face with the issue as
a practical matter they postpone putting
the theory into operation TO a more con-
venient time. AS party cry immediate
independence has much force, but my
judgment is that the inauguration of
the assembly and the transfer of real
power by giving to the party part of the
legislative control of the Christian prov
inces sobers their leaders with the sense
of responsibility. teaches them some of
the practical difficulties of government
and permits them to take the only course
which can vindicate their view in respect
to their fitness to govern themselves
completely, by exercising that power of
government which has been accorded to
them n way to make the people of
the United States and of the world be-
lieve that. when greater power is ex-
tended. they may be trusted to exercise
that with equal discretion and conserva-
real part of the government. Nothing
can be done affirmatively without the con-
sent of the assembly.
II do not prophesy that there will not
at times be radical action by the assem-
bly, which cannot meet the approval of
those who understand the legislative
needs of the islands. All 1 wish to say
is that the organization and beginning
of the life of the assembly have disap-
pointed its woudbe critics. and have
given great encouragement to those who
were responsible for its extension Of po-
litical power Elections were held while
I was in the islands by which governors
and third members of the provincial
boards were chosen. Party lines pre-
vailed, the total vote exceeding that cast
for assemblymen by more than 80 per
cent. and of the governors chosen fifteen
were nacionalista and fifteen progressista.
This indicates that the nacionalsta VIC
tory In the assembly election does not
point to a permanent majority of the
electors being in favor OF immediate in
depe ndence.
so far the assembly has not manifested
in any way that obstructive character
which those who have prophesied its fall
ure would be glad to see. and who are
equally disappointed with those who have
looked to the assembly as means of
brea king I'D the government"