Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-08
AMERICA i'm THE PHILIPPINES
VTII-Adopting the English Language
By Frederic u HaSkin --
By Frederic j. HaSkfn

partnership as contrasted to domina-
tion."
That there has recently been in evil
dence certain amount of opposition to
the adoption of English is the natural
result of the activities of demagogc
Filipino politicians of the "ilustrada"
class. These agitators talk of immedi-
ate independence and urge the useless
ness of learning the language of the
Americana. AS a matter of fact, IL
the Americans were to withdraw Inn
mediately after having made English
the common language, the Filipinos
would be in possession of a valuable
asset. Spanish has never been their
language, and, If learned, would never
be as useful to them as English In
communication with other nations.
That there has recently been a falling
off in the interest of adult Filipinos In
English Is pointed to as an evidence OF
the unconquerable dislike of the is
landers for the Americans, and an IL
Illuminating demonstration of the Fill
pino's total lack of gratitude. But the
bureau of education insists that this
condition is closely related to the fall
ure of the insular government to pro-
vide sufficient money to keep open the
night schools established FIVE years ago
in the larger towns of the archipelago
AS the Manila night schools still re-
naming open are well patronized, the
bureau of education seems to have the
better of the argument. The post
ponement until 1911 of the adoption or
English as the official language of the
courts, which was occasioned by the
unfamiliarity of a number of lawyers
with English, also had its effect in less
ening the interest of the older Fill
pinos.
Some interesting and unlocked for re-
suits have followed the effort to give
the Filiplnos language that will pro-
mote their prosperity and cause the
upgrowth of their national spirit.
There is, for example, a stimulated In
terest in Spanish. Discussion of edu-
cational projects has paved the way
for the opening of many private schools
and in these institutions Spanish is
usually taught. 1t is stated by persons
in position to know that there are
more Spanish speaking natives than
there were ten years ago. AS knowl-
edge of the two languages is useful TO
persons in commercial work in the is
lands, as well as valuable to anyone
aiming at scholarly attainments, the
American educators are delighted to
observe the growth of this bi-product
of their industry.
There has sprung up recently, espo-
cially In political circles, an interest IN
the preservation of native dialects. Few
the most sentimental, advocate the re-
tention of all of them, but a number OF
native tongues have their champions in
the forum. One assemblyman has gone
so far as to introduce bill providing
that the language of each tribe should
be taught In the schools within the
scope of its present employment. The
Joker in the bill was a clause giving
municipalities the power to decide
what language should be taught" AS
this might have resulted in the aban-
Comment of English in some provinces,
the bill was not passed.
1t has been proposed that Tagalog
should be made the Philippine Ian
guage. The idea is chimerical in view
of the fact that only about 20 per cent
of the Christian natives speak Tagalog'
and the pride of the various tribes
would probably arouse fierce opposl-
tion IL an attempt were made TO ex-
tend this language throughout the
archipelago.
As the probability of the members OF
eighty-four tribes agreeing to talk rag
alog is about as remote as the proDa-
bility of the Bontoc Igorotes becoming
Nohammedan Moros. or Christian VII
sayans adopting the language and GUS
toms of the savage Negrttos, the only
onportunity for the many peoples or
the archipelago to become one, ana TO
build up a national strength Dased on
internal peace and a common desire FOR
development. Is to adopt a foreign Ian
guage. English is the best suited to
their needs, and 1t is the only lingua
franca that anyone has provided. Wl-Qe
Filipinos in politics insist upon early
Independence, their class alone at
ternpts to stand in the way OF the ac-
ouirement of English throughout the
Philippines.
But for the fact that the members OF
the present Philippine assembly have
Spanish as a common language, IL
would be impossible for the assembly
to transact business, and therefore I'M
nossible for 1t to exist. The assembly.
men are ofth e small INDUSTRIOUS
class who owe their illustriousness in
no small measure to the fact that they
nosses what America Is now trying to
give to the whole Filipino people, re-
CARELESS of trace, color or previous
Condition of servitude." The "illustri-
oIIs,, nolitician who protests against
fine adoption of English is, therefore,
in q. queer Vosition as patriot. AS an
advocate of independence he stultihes
himself completely.
Tor,orrow: America in the Pbilinnies-
Ix. Great Agricultural Resources