The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1909-10-21
Great Mass of Natives in Philip
pines Satisfied With
Government.
SO DECLARES FORMER JUDGE
A. s. odlin, Former Judge Of Philip
pines, Declares That Only the Native
Politicians are Clamoring for Sep
aration-Favors Citizenship for
Those Whc Deserve II.

Mohonk Lake. N. Y. oct. 21.-"The
| Philippines" was the subject of dis
| cussion at the Mohonk conference to-
day. Members of congress. judges
| educators and men interested i'm the
| physical Improvement OF the islands
were speakers. A Filipino student was
also on the program. The opening ad-
dress was by X. w. Beardsley unai
recently director Of public works of the
Philippines. A paper by A. f. Odlin IL
Cleveland, formerly judge of the Phil
ippine court i'm the first instance.
was read by friend.
Mr. Odlin made the prediction that at
the end of two or three generations
there would be no widespread desire
among the Filipino people to sever the
bonds that then bind them TO the Uni
ted States. We hear each year less
from our own people about our with
drawal from the Islands, Mr.. Odlin
said and this change of attitude is due
to the fact that the control of the ISL
ands by the United States was an ac-
cident of war more beneficial to the
masses of the Filipino people than any
other result which might have fol-
lowed. "a
The local cry for independence comes
from a limited number Of the Filipino
people. They comprise the leading
men in the various islands who interest
themselves in political parties. possess
wonderful influence over their neigh
bors, and while not unfriendly toward
our government, eagerly yearn for the
time when the reins of power shall be
dropped from American hands. But
that element among the people who
are not keenly interested in politics.
but who are busy ON their farms or
occupied I'm commercial affairs of little
or appreciable Importance. realize the
incapacity of the natives for success
full self-government The possibility
Of japanese control even the native
politicians themselves would infinitely
favor us. Another element In the ISL
ands comprises the vast masses OF the
people who take little or no interest in
the government they have. Probably
two millions of them have no accu
rate conception of what independence
or government mean. In time. OF
course, they will learn. our schools
during the next decade will work won
ders. but at present any attempt to
enlighten most OF the people in this
group as to their duties and rights un-
der government of their own as
with their duties and rights
under the present government would
be utterly futile. Iils
The Filipino is rapidly reaching the
position where he also will clamor for
Shall We grant it To him?
aver? This most important question
will ere long press the conscience of
America for an answer. All patriotic
and thoughtful Americans must con-
slider it. l am one Of those who be-
iove that while the United States will
never attempt to govern those far dis
tant islands after the period shall ar
rive when our flag may safely be low
,rcd. equally am / convinced that we
will never drive away from the protec-
ng folds of our national banner any
leople who desire to remain under il.
| predict that when such time shall
'omc say in one, two or three genera
ions there viii exist i'm the islands
such a friendly feeling toward America.
lespite the racial differences between
he two people. that the decision will
,e overwhelmingly against independ-
nee.
Speaking merely as one individual
Who knows them well ] would vote to-
morrow to confer the boon of American
upon every native of the
stands who can intelligcntly take the
'ath OF allegiance to our flag.