Graham guardian., 1910-12-09
PHILLIPINE, ISLANDS
People Are Progressive, but
Not Yet Ready for
Self Government

The report of the Secretary Of
War upon his recent visit to Che
Philippine Islands has just been is
sued by the War Department, Dur
ing the secretary's stay in the
islands, from July oath to Septem-
Der Sd, he inspected practically all
the public institutions and army
posts and held many public hear
ings. The administration OF the
various departments were found to
be in a generally satisfactory con-
dition.
The Secretary of War speaks
very sympathetically of the aspira-
tions of the Filipino people for in
dependence and says that the pub
lie expression is very general in
favor of same, but that many Of
the conservatives and most substan-
tial men would view such result
in CONSERVATION.
Referring to the fitness of the
Filipino people for self-government,
he says:
There are very many highly edu-
Gated Filipinos-many men OF tai
ent, ability and brilliancy-but the
percentage in comparison with those
who are wholly unframed in an un-
derstanding Of. and the exercise of,
political rights under a republican
form of government is so small, and
under the best and most rapid de-
velopment possible under existing
conditions will for a long period
continue so small. that it is a de-
lusion, if the present policy control
of the islands by the American peo-
pie shall continue. to encourage the
Filipino people in the hope that the
administration of the islands will be
turned over to them within the
time of the present generation.
Peace, law and order prevail
throughout the islands. Ladrones
or robber bands are almost if not
entirely suppressed and the head
hunting tribes of Bontoc, who a
year ago were engaged in taking
heads, are now devoting themselves
to agriculture and other peaceful
pursuits and enjoying the comforts
of life. All the wild tribes are be-
ginning to see and appreciate what
is being done for them.
The Legislative Assembly, though
controlled by the Nacionalista Party,
which was organized in opposition
to those who favored American con-
troll, has enacted laws for the pro-
motion of development and progress
along lines advocated by the Gov
ernor- General, showing that respon-
sibility steadies action. They have
been liberal in their support of ed
ucation and internal improvement.
I A very deep and widespread in
terest is being manifested in educa-
ton on the part of young and old
and the burden of taxation for edu-
cation is cheerfully borne. Good
progress is being made in learning
the English language.
The secretary dwells at some
length upon his Investigations rela-
tive to the recent sale of friar lands,
which was given much notoriety in
the last session of Congress and the
public press, but found no basis for
the extreme statements then made.
The number of Filipino employees
in the civil service is shown to be
steadily increasing and that OF
Americans proportionately decreas-
ing, it being the policy of the ad'
ministration to proceed as rapidly
as the good of the service will per-
NIT in increasing the Filipino en-
Iployees.
| Artesian wells in the islands now
number 429, and a marked improve
ment in the health conditions is
noted where these wells are in use.
There has been a marked develop
ment in the disposition of the peo-
pie of the islands to exert them
selves and to assume tax burdens
} for the purpose of securing good
roads. There are now 3,lO0 miles
of roads under the administration
of municipalities, S62 miles of first
class under the control of provinces,
and 46 miles under that of the in
sular government. Many miles of
mountain trail have been construct
ed, which promote intercourse be-
tween people of the various Sec
tions. and in that way have civil.
izing influence, besides affording 8
ready means for the movement OF
troops to sections hitherto almost
, inaccessible.
| The financial condition of the
islands is very satisfactory, there
being a surplus of $6, 1874, 1913. SO.