Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-12

having no responsibility to the Ameri-
cans i'm any way, the assembly is made
TO share in every positive act of the
government. Nearly all the politicians
of influence are either members of the
assembly or aspirants for membership.
They cannot adversely critcise the ad-
ministration i'm the islands without re-
flecting upon their own body. AS part
and parcel of the government, the
assemblymen are forced to defend the
administration. AS nearly every inn
portant measure was passed with prac-
tical~ unanimlty and without party
strife the entire assembly is thus held
in pledge.
Among the people, also, this division
of responsibility has it's effect. Instead
of asking why the Americans do not do
thus and SO, they ask why the assem-
bly, does not act. The people write let
ters to the assemblymen rather than to
the American commissioners. In this
condition lies the beginning of the end
of opposition to American rule, and
the promise OF the ultimate success of
the American theory of colonial gov
ernment.
This theory is attacked by two
classes of Americans In the islands.
One is that element in the army which
regrets the abrogation OF the military
government. The other is composed
of that class of Americans who, as bus
mess men, wish to exploit the Islands,
or those American politicians who de-
sire a control of the offices for Ameri-
cans. fortunately, this class Is not
very large, and even more fortunately,
1t has almost no influence. There has
been no disposition in the United States
to regard the civil service of the Phil
ippines as an asylum and pension for
young men not otherwise provided Tor,
and the attitude of the English toward
colonial civil service is unknown In the
Philippines. 1t is this feature of the
American policy which is most puzzllnS
to the English.
However desirable exploitation and
Office holding by Americans might be
in some respects, It must be remem-
bered that the Philippines are the nat
ural home of the Filipinos, 1t must be
remembered that the civil government
of the philippines Is self-supporting'
and 1t must not be forgotten that the t
Filipinos pay practically all of the
taxes. The American government has
remembered this. Under the military
regime, even the driver of mule team
had to be an American, the theory oe-
ing that no Filipino was capaDie OF
driving a team. All that has disap-
peared long ago, of course ana now
fees and clerkships. Americans as
rule are not trying to stop their prog.
ress and onlv q sufficient number or
American officers are retained to keep
the direction of affairs we'll in hand.
II is true that the Filipino has not
manifested much gratitude. He PROB
ably doesn't think 1t necessary when
he is obtaining only that which he
thinks is his very own. But with the
masses of the people the difficulty Is
the unfamilarity with popular and
benevolent government. The Suffrage
is limited by both educational and
property qualifications. yes very
small proportion of che qualified voters
availed themselves OF their opportunity
at the assembly election. They were
not interested in something so far
away. They have been quick to take
advantage of the gift OF municipal
autonomy because they can understand
that.
The final triumph OF the American
policy. q policy whcih proceeded IN
essence from William H. Tart, may
not be expected in this generation. AS
| Mr.. Taft has said, the question OF
ultimate independence of the Philip
mines probably will be decided by an
other generation both Df American
and Filipnos. And while 1t is too soon
to make confident predictions, the con-
! dition of affairs in the Philippines TO-
| day warrants the prophecy that when
the time does come that the Filipinos
are fitted for government, they
will themselves choose a relation like
! that of Australia or Canada to the
home government of England rather
than entire separation
In the meantime it behooves Ameri-
cans to take more interest in the policy
of the government in the Philippines
Regardless of difference of opinion as
to whether or not we ought to be In
! the Philippines at all, all Americans
will find reason for just pride In the
record of what we have done ana what
we are doing there-reaso son for con-
graduation on the establishment or the
most fair and humane theory of COL
| onial government the world has yet
| seen.
! Tomorrow: America in the Philippines
xIIT-s"The Little Brown Brother"
and had his pictures in his old prison