Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-17
RIGHTS OF F|L|P|NOS
Discussed in Letter From
Former Revolutionist.
WRITTEN TO GEN. WOOD
Tolosa Presidents Opinion Of Coun-
trymen's Character.
THEY ARE EASILY MISLED
At the Mercy Of INSCRIPTIONS Poll
ticians-Prejudice Against Gov
eminent Being Encouraged

native Filipino and a former revolution
airy officer, it might naturally be pre-
sumed to express sentiments quite the
| contrary to those which 1t contains.
Starting with regrets that he was una
voidably prevented from accepting the In
y:tation to meet Secretary Taft, to whom
he wished to make known his personal
views generally and specifically upon
questions then pending, because of Sc
rious illness in his family. Mr.. Romualdez
wrote in part. follows:
Il do not wish to convey the idea that
nv opinions are infallible. but l consider
1t my duty to state what I think and feel
about these matters to the mar who,
am convinced, constantly has the welfare
of the Philippines at heart. / am not. nor
do l desire to be, a politician. l could not
be one, as l do not understand politics:
but 1 am native of this country and
have formulated ideas upon this subject.
Referring to the change In the aspect
of affairs In the Philippines since the cleo
lions of July 80 last, the result of which,
he said. was obviously the manifestation
Of the independence idea and not the vol
untary and sincere manifestation or the
feelings of the masses he adds: For this
reason l CO nnot agree that the result was
or is proof that the Filipino people de-
sire immediate independence Contin-
uing, he states that In his opinion the
masses do not desire anything connecteo
with a political condition, because they
are only beginning to understand these
conditions, and 1t Is unlikely they would
really want what they do not thoroughly
understand.
Filipinos Easily Misled.
He refers to their credulity and how
easy 1t is to make them believe that i'm
mediate independence is "a panacea OF
-o,I1
Filipinos to hold public office" They
not only believe this" SO the letter states.
but they actually defy the person who
thus basely deceives them The prop
osition that an American should know
the Filipino. he states, is more dlff1cult
than 1t is believed to be. He compares 1t
with that Of a person who wishes to know
same as he would a grown person. The
child pretends to believe what Is said to
it, but doesn't in fact. understand
word. In its effort to present its good
qualities 1t is defeated by its ignorance
of what qualities are good and what bad.
and consequently drifts unconsciously into
falsehood, hypocrisy and vanity. IT
hears of rights" he adds. land asks for
rights: 1t hears OF liberty and asks TOT
liberty. and eventually 1t asks for the
world" This example. he thinks. Is ap-
plicable to the relations now existing be.
tween the Americans and the masses OF
the Filipino people.
Say to the ignorant tao OF T. noun
tains that he is a great politician. and.
without understanding the meaning OF the
word, he will believe you. Truly" he de-
clares. "credulity is the child OF igno-
rance. This credulity has sustained for a
long time the revolution In the Philip
pines For from two to three months the
people Of the mount aims and country we're
held together by hopes of independence.
The handspring of pulajanism and other
organizations which have been the shame
of this country Is credulity." 1t Is not
confined to the masses only, ne claims,
but extends to those who call themselves
illustrates" the self-styled leaders OF
the masses.
He states that from the beginning Of
the revolution his people began to drink
in prejudice against the Americans, In
spired partly by Spanish teaching and
partly by their own erroneous Judgment.
I'VE imagined that an American was In
capable Of humanitarian sentiments: that
his only desire was to seize the Philip
pines and enslave the inhabitants. These
prejudices were spread and sown among
the masses. who believed their fears con-
flrmed by the freedom of religious wor-
ship then existing. by the epidemics
among animals and by the successive
misfortunes which overwhelmed the
this" he claims. was attributed to the
Americans, except the first. The more
intelligent still believe the Americans
are here for the exploitation OF the coun-
try"
Deeply Rooted Prejudices.
He states that these prejudices are more
deeply rooted than they seem to be.
many of us not having sufficient pene-
tration or discernment-1 was going to
say common sense-to ndo and abandon
them in the face of the reality OF things.
He charges that advantage has been
taken Of the liberties granted by the gov
eminent TO form an anti-American body.
unfortunately assisted by few American
democrats. which, wearing the MIX OF
a political organization. and on the pre-
text Of exercising granted liberty, has
given free rein to the passions which
have been excited by that fatal prejudice
already inoculated into the masses"
Continuing. Mr. Romauldez says that
he deems it his duty to communicate the
facts to those who have the welfare Of
his country at heart, that the proper
remedy may be applied. Referring to
the wish OF some Americans, who de-
sire the abandonment Of the philippines.
he declares 'If I were an American and
tude not for tho salvation of the Philip
pines. but for the good of America. But
do not think that any true American.
who feels sorry for us. and who defends
but that of others as well. the American
who realizes the responsibility assumed.
the American who really and truly has
the welfare Of the Philippines at heart.
as we'll as that of the United States.
should become alarmed. but should. with
a better knowledge OF circumstances.
work for the adoption Of a system more
suited to the conditions OF the country.
I would propose that the democrats and
republicans unite upon the question OF
the future of the Philippines. because
the responsibility that has been assumed
was not assumed by the republicans
alone. but by the whole American ma
ton"
The "Bill Of Rights"
He states that in his opinion the Phil
ippine bill Of rights Is a good thing. In
fact too good. Good to have individual
rights held sacred as long as the people
are capable of approaching them; but ne
fears that only a small number of the
.'ilustrados' understand those rights. and
consequently do not always utilize them
to the advantage of the masses, out
rather to their prejudice. He states
that the election law and right of SUI
frase are causes Of social disturbances
and violent preachings In which the pres
tige of the American government and the
American people are always ridiculed.
The encouragement OF the pre1udlces
against the American government. he
alleges, has always been a convenient
means of getting votes. because the I'M
fortunate masses believe that the dema-
gogues constitute a national power which
the American government and people are
afraid of. and 1t takes a great deal OF
common sense to undeceive them.
He sums the situation up In this man
= IL hit