Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-06
I.-Uplift-
ing the
Filipino.

MANILA.-It is only a little more than
eleven years since Admiral Dewey fought
the battle of Manila bay. 1t is not quite
eleven years since the occupation Of Ma
Mia by the American government was es-
tablished in the islands. The achieve
ments of American rule in that short
time have revolutionized the life of the
islands from the topmost circles of So
ciety in Manila to the everyday life of.
the dog-eating. head-hunting savages of
the mountains. More has BEEN done in
a decade than Spain accomplished in over
three centuries.
America found a subject people which
had absolutely no part in the govern
ment, and which for years had been in
a constant state of insurrectiOn against
the authorities. America brought about
peace, by making war effective. and put
down the bandits and thieves as well as
the political insurgents. Today the Phil
ippines enjoy a tranquility never before
dreamed of in the islands The FilipinOs
have been granted almost complete au-
tonomy in municipal affairs and have
been granted a large share in the legis-
lative, executive and judicial government
of the islands.
America found a people which had new
er enjoyed free speech or a free press.
Men who spoke for the liberty of their
countrymen were executed without trial.
Persons who complained of the corrup-
ton of the government we're cast in moi
some prisons. All that has been changed.
The press is free, the right of free
speech is guaranteed, the right of petit
ton is assured, and men may talk OF
independence as much as they please I'M
less they advocate riot or rebellion.
America found the church and state so
combined that there was great difficulty
IN demarking the province of one from
the other in government. Complete sep
aration has been accomplished. the right
of every man to worship as he sees fit
Is guaranteed, the lands of the religious
,rders were prchased and held for set
dement, by free holders. And all of this
has been accomplished peacefully.
Anne RIGA found a f1uctuating money in
use, and replaced 1t with a fixed and sta
pie currency upon the gold standards so
that in every part of the islands the
money IN the same and it's value known.
e
America found the highways of the
country in bad repair and few bridges
worthy Of the name. Many farmers had
no roads whatever over which to reach
the market. Wide rivers were unfordable
I'm the rainy season, and there was no
method of crossing them. The Ameri-
cans have constructed hundreds of miles
of highways and are increasingly pushing
the work OF new construction. They have
built bridges and culverts of steel and
concrete, and have connected widely sep
arated communities by easy transporta-
ton.
America found only one short railway,
antiquated in eqipment and manage
nnent, reaching a very small number of
the people. Up to this time more than
500 miles of good railway has been built
and as much more is in course of con-
struction so that within a few years the
principal islands will be adequately pro-
vided with good rail transportation.
America found 20 per cent OF the people
In absolute ignorance and a school sys-
tenn which offered no hope of lettering
their condition. An American public
school system now reaches half million
pupils out of the total population of sew
en- million. The percentage of illiteracy. is
still large. but the next generation will
see it greatly reduced. The English Ian
guage has already become common in
many parts of the islands and II is spok-
en- by a greater number of natives than
is Spanish.
America found a pitifuIly inadequate
postal system. This has been extended
and improved until now every town and
village is supplied by a regular mall city
delivery is established in the larger cities.
anG m some sections even rural delivery
has been ;naugurated The telegraph
system is a part of the postal service,
one feature inherited from the Spanish,
and it has been extended widely. The in
ter-island cable service under American
rule reaches every important commercial
point in the archipelago.
America found Manila unpaved. filthy
and reelzing with disease. a condition
worthy of the 18th century. Today 1t is
the finest city in the Orient. Tive streets
are paved, the swamps have been turned
into beautiful parks. sewers have been
constructed, an ample supply of good
water has been provided, harbor and river
improvements have been made, sanitary
laws and regulations have been enforced
and now Manila is modern and clean.