New-York tribune., 1907-12-22

.r,f.s, determination Of a majority Of its eighty
members pursue conservative courses IN oeai
ing with public affairs -
.sMany successful candidates for the Assembly.
he said, seem have embraced the cause oI
the Immediatistas without having any se''ieu i
as how such policy could pe caii'e0 -
They Joined the party because its cry was popua.
and because they thought this was an easy u. ,ie.
Of being elected or, rather. because they thoush'
that without this election would be dWcuit' "hei'
the Assembly met II was apparent that 'he steH
majority were more anxious to vindlcate the,f
election dgnihed, common sense pa'iio''o
branch of the legislature than to MAINTAIN CON
sistency between their acts legislators ana Ieil
ante-election declarations: There are, OF cool ~
some members who likely at times 10 Hiaho
speeches containing violent language but on ,he
whole there seemed to be during our stay IN 'he
islands of two three weeks after the orgahiza-
ton of the Assembly very earnest "ish tha' .iie
Assembly should show the conservatism whlch
many of us believe exists In the Philippine people,
rather than give a weapon TO the enemies Oh 't''
people and popular government by extravaganza
and useless violence of speech This conservative
is the more TO be commended because taere
present in Manila some time before the or
Ganization OF the Assembly, and all the ume
was In the islands, Fiske Warren, mempef ci
the so-called Anti-Imperialist party having us
headquarters In Boston. He was present chiehy
and solely for the purpose Of encouragins the
members of the Immediatista party to take those
steps which would prove TO be most embarrassing
to the government. Issue at meetings or leaders
or the party was taken Will "oiASH ~ So
tonic Regidor Filipino patriot. who was for
years head of Filipino junta In London, whence
he escaped from Guam, having been exled 10 lhe
island by the Spaniards in 1870. Mr. Residor chai-
lenged him TO bring documentary PROOF or MS au-
thority to speak behalf OF the Democratic party
which, Mr. Warren said would give immediate In
dependence the Philippines, if returned to
power. The proofs We're not Forthcoming.
Many OF the Filipinos.' continued the Secre-
tary favor theoretically immediate independence
without having fully considered what 1t means,
and when they are brought face 10 face with the
issue as a practical matter they postpone putting
the theory into operation 10 a more convenient
time AS party cry immediate Independence has
much force but my judgment is that the inaugu-
ration OF the Assembly and the transfer Of real
power by giving to the party part of the legisla-
tive control of the Christian provinces sober their
leaders with the of responsibility teach
them of the practical difficulties of govern
ment. and permit them TO take the only course
which vindcate their view in respect TO their
fitness to govern themselves completely, by exer-
Csing that power of government which has been
accorded to them in way to make the people of
the United States and cs the world believe that
when greater power is extended they may be
trusted to exercise that with equal discretion and
conservative common sense. They are now real
part of the government. Nothing can be done
affrmatively without the consent of the Assembly.
81 do not prophesy that there viii not at times
be radical action by the Assembly which cannot
meet the approval of those who understand the
legislative need of the islands. All wish TO say
is that the organization and beginning of the life
Of the Assembly have disappointed Its would-be
critics and have given great encouragement to
those who responsible for its extension OF
political power. Elections were held while was
IN the islands by which governors and third MEM
bers OF the provincial boards were chosen. Party
lines prevailed the total vote exceeded that cast
for Assemblymen by more than 90 per cent, and OF
the governors chosen fifteen Nacionalista and
fifteen Progressta. This indicates that the Ma
cionalsta victory in the Assembly election does
not point to a permanent majority of the electors
being In favor OF Immediate independence
$50 far the Assembly has not manifested In any
way that obstructive character which those who
have prophesied it's failure would be glad 10 see.
and who equally disappointed with those who
have looked to the Assembly means of break
ing Up the government"