Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-12-08
THE PHILIPPINES.
Making Progress, but Not Yet Fit.
 ted For Self Government.


 Islands. The gathering of Philippine legislative body and Philippine assem- bly, marks process absolutely new in Asia, not only as regards Asiatic colo nies of European powers, but as re gards Asiatic possessions of other Asi- atic powers, and indeed, always ex- ceptlng the striking and wonderful ex- ample afforded by the great empire of Japan, It opens an entirely new de- parture when compared with anything wh'h has happened among Asiatic powers which are their own masters. Hitherto this Philippine legislature has acted with moderation and self re- straint and has seemed in practical fashion to realize the eternal truth that there must always be government and that the only way in which any body of individuals can escape the ne cessity of being governed by outsiders is to show that they are able to re- strain themselves, to keep down wrongdoing and disorder. The Filipi- no people. through their officials, are therefore making real steps In the di rectior of self government l hope and believe that these steps mark the beginning of course which will con tinue till the Filipinos became fit to decide for themselves whether they desire to be an independent nation. But 1t Is well for them. and well also 1 for those Americans who during the past decade have done 50 much dam- age to the Filipinos by agitation for an immediate independence for which they were totally unfit, to remember that self government depends and must depend upon the FYlipinos them selves. All we can do is to give them the opportunity to develop the capaci- ty for self government. If we had fol lowed the advice of the foolish doc trinaires who wished us at any time during the last ten years to turn the Filipino people adrift we should have shrked the plainest possible duty and have inflicted lasting wrong upon the Filipino people. We have acted in exactly the opposite spirit. We have given the Filipinos constitutional gov ernment, government based upon justice, and we have shown that we have governed them for their good and not for our aggrandizement
 At the present time, as during the past ten years, the memorable logic of facts shows that this government must be supplied by us and not by them We must be wise and generous. We must help the Filipinos to master the difficult art of self control which is simply another name for self govern ment But we cannot give them self government save in the sense of gov ernng them so that gradually they may, If they are able, learn to govern themselves. Under the present system of just laws and sympathetic admin istration we have every reason to be- lieve that they are gradually acquiring the character which lies at the basis of self government and for which, If 1t be lacking, no system of laws. no pa- per constitution, will In any wise serve as a substitute Our people in the Philippines have achieved what may legitimately be called a marvellous suc- cess in giving to them government which marks on the part of those in authority both the necessary under standing of the people and the neces- sary purpose 10 serve them disinter- estedly and in good faith. trust that within a generation the time will ar- rive when the Philippines can decide for themselves whether it is well for them to become Independent or to con- tinue under the protection of a strong and disinterested power, able to guar antee to the islands order at home and protection from foreign invasion But no one can prophecy the exact date when 1t will be wise to consider tn- dependence as fixed and dennita policy. It would be worse than folly 10 try to set down such date in ad- vance, for 1t must depend upon the way fin which the Philippine people themselves develop the power of self mastery
 Porto Rico.
 l again recommend that America n citizenship be conferred upon the peo- pie of Porto Rico
 Cuba.
 In Cuba our occupancy will cease in about two months time The Cubans have h orderly manner elected their own governmental authorities, and the island will be turned over to them Our occupation on this occasion has lasted a little over two years, and Cuba has thriven and prospered under it. Our earnest hope and one desire is that the people of the island shall now govern themselves with justice, SO that peace and order may be secure We will gladly help them to this end. but would solemnly warn them to re- member the great truth that tho only way a people can permanently avoid being governed from without A to show that they both can and viii gov ern themselves from within.
 Jspansss Exposition.
 The Japanese government has post poned until 1917 the date of the great international exposition, tho act3on be- ing taken so as to insure ample time fin which to prepare to make the s1. position all that 1t should be made. The American commissioners have visited Japan, and the postponement will merely give ampier opportunity