The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1909-05-29

provinces and gave the first signs of
general cohesion in the conferences Of
governors held in Manila. 1t was or.
ganized and put upon its feet for the
assembly election and with shallow
but popular platform carried ma
Jority of the seats. 1t demanded i'm
mediate independence, charged that
the American government was extrav-
agant and expensive, condition that
i; promised to reform, and, despite the
fact that the great majority of the
offices In the government have been
voluntarily turned over to Filipinos, in
sisted that more Fflipinos have office.
Like Its teacher. it proposed to work
backwards; 1t wanted immediate indie.
pendence, and was willing to take the
chance of learning afterwards how to
use 1t and how to maintain it. But
these were popular cries in the limited
number who are active in politics and
the party scored a victory. 1t has a
reckoning, however, when it again
faces the people, because its promises
OF independence simmered down to a
vote in the assembly on the abstract
demand or even request, that the
Filipino people aspire to independence
and that they are capable of conduct
ing an independent government The
fact Is that a great many of the men
who voted on the abstract resolution
know that their people are not capable
OF self-government and would have
preferred to have not voted. The Is.
sue was raised by one OF those mis-.
chances that happen in every legisla.
ture, and they voted on 1t and for 1t
because they must account to their
constituents. They also found that
the American government was not eX.
travagant and failed on their financial
reform program. They did land some
political offices for members of their
party, us Governor General Smith has
decided for the principle of recogniz-
ing the dominant party in the appoint.
ment of public officials The party
has in Speaker Osmena developed one
man Of conspicuous ability and a mum.
Der OF men who show marked ability
and capacity for government.
Labor has organized in Manila and
elsewhere and has taken some part in
politics. but evil leadership has re.
tarded the movement. The labor lead
ers have generally been disreputable
professional men who have taken a
part only for what there is In 1t for
them. But labor is learning and will
In time develop leaders who will lead
for labor's sake and not their own.
There is 4 great conservative class
which has kept aloof from politics and
politicians. In some instances they
have given active aid to the American
government. but the great majority OF
them seem TO be awaiting eventual
ties. They are not antagoniZing the
active politicians for reasons that are
obvious-their interests would be at
the mercy OF the politicians II the Uni.
ted States should withdraw from the
Philippines. and they are what the
American politician would describe as
being right" There are many indica.
tons that they favor maintenance
OF that security TO life and property
and that protection TO credit which the
American government has esiab.
| lishcd.
The active electorate is so far a lin.
tied one, ms the following figures will
show: Population. 1856. i26: qualified
to vote. 500. 7Oi: voted In the last cleo
ton. i5s.G55.
| But small as II is. II II very active,
and the politicians and the editors who
represent 1t have made independence
the chief issue and the only one that
amounts to anything because II en-.
braces the whole question Of Ameri.
can participation. II is largely limited
to the fiat demand and contemplates
practically none OF the important sub.
sidiary questions involved You tell
the advocates that II can only come
by voluntary act OF the American peo.
pie and only when the American peo.
pie are convinced that they may with
security take the responsibility in.
volvcd In starting them alone. and they
answer by seeking to further antag.
onizc American interest and bclittlinH
the mission and accomplishment Of
the American people here. You point
out future difficulties of maintaining
their craft In the stormy sea Of Oricn.
tai politics and with n confidence that
IN seemingly ignorant Of the simpler
facts OF the situation they tell you
they cnn take care Of themselves.
You urge that they are 20 peoples
without "a common means of commu
nicniion and they tell you they are
unit. Th. fact In that the Tagaio.s