The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-07-02
INDEPENDENCE FOR
. FILIPINO NOT YET
A PRUDENT ACTION
Lawrence Smelser, a Rich
mond Young Man, Who
Has Taught on the Islands,
Presents His Opinion.
Continued from Page One.)

the islands, and done most Of 1t on
horseback, able to speak their langu-
age to a degree, and Spanish when
that failed. And while was doing that
! noticed this:
i What He Noticed.
/, That those millions OF Filipinos, the
real Filipinos, taos-the fishermen, the
farmers, the frequenters Of the cock
pit (this includes all OF them)-are
contented, don't want independence,
and moreover don't even know what it
means. The tao land the one speak
OF Is any one of eight millions)
knows only what he sees. He saw ev-
erything taken from him in the old
Spanish days; himself forced by
threats and punishment to build mar
velous cathedrals for the friars in
every corner Of the islands; robbed,
dishonOred and tossed; a holiday at
the cockpit on some Sain's day for
recompense. Then came the Ameri-
canos. The oppression stopped. He
could work in peace. and play in peace
He made more money with less work
and so found more time to play. No
one troubled him. He could move
about in safety. II any man injured
him he could obtain redress. and bri
| berry could not sway justice against
him, who was poor. Those terrible fri
ars were gone, or powerless, and he
could spend his time as he pleased.
be as filthy as he liked, ''in his nipa
+. balay, which served as a stable and
isty," and sleep on a mat, with the
bdogs and cats. and the rest of the fam
lilly near by" He is contented. He
doesn't know why this is, and what is
rmore, he doesn't care. He doesn't try
ito reason 1t out. He only realizes that
sthis pleasant condition came about
1.-THE same time the Americanos died,
tand somehow he connects these facts,
f'but he doesn't want independence for
rhe has right now what he wants. If
-he runs amuck and steals his neigh
fbor's caraboa. or cuts his friend up
rcourse he gets into trouble, but he
knows why that is, and doesn't think
ethat independence would better
fittings. He Is wiser than his philoso-
kphizing betters. He knows he is infer
Flor, but he doesn't care for that
eSometimes he kicks up muss and
kskips to the mountains when the
kAmericano concludes that there is dan
kger of smallpox and that he and his
tmust be vaccinated; but that doesn't
eargue for independence. He used to do
Ithat too when the priests came around
flor contributions, or Spanish soldiers
kfor mischief He doesn't like to have
fhis carabao quarantine for rinderpest,
FOR his poor bobtailed pony for surra,
lthat the Americana wills 1t. but he
fdoesn't blame the great American
bgovernment for his troubles. Life is
keasy; little work, lots of money, plen-
ksuperfuuity of neutrality-suspicious. :?
Perish the thot! In fact, he never
gives II a thot.
! The True Attitude.
! That Is the true Filipino attitude
LThere Is plenty of demogogues who
kclamor for freedom. and the Ameri-
leans are training up enough more of
bthese "shoe taos" (the young Filipino
always aspires to life without work,
band the collar and tie and shoe are
the shortest route to this. Hence the
lname), who want 1t. But There is not
lone per cent of these leaders who is
"a real patriot. Every politician is wOr-
fking for himself and the loot would be
Increased many fold were they given
free rein in a republic. They fight now
)for preferences like cats and dogs
The Filipino character is as unsta-
Ole as II is dishonest. and the original
theft was Filipino. True, his dishon-
kesty comes thue his lack of morals
me Is not immoral. but unmoral-but
bcan morality be instilled in the Malay
Nm one generation? There is a wonder.
ful advance already, but the time
kwhen the white man will not have to
bsuggest, lead, direct, and kick the
NATIVE, Ia generations off. The expert
lment has failed too many times alrea-
kdy. They can be trusted to do minor
tor routine work, but they have no en-
Iecutive ability. There will never be
p great Filipino. Their greatest men
Not small enough calibre at that are
always mestizos. or half breeds-I am
knot sure about Aguinaldo. He is the
kgreatest Of all. and shows it by stay.
hng out of politics. living on the, for.
tune he received for letting himself
kbe captured, and riding about in his
auto with the governor general
No Longer and Expense.
! The Philippines have ceased to be
p heavy expense to the United States.
bThe insular treasury pays most or all
Hts government expenses. except of
course our army and navy. When the
tAmericans develop the islands land
ut Is up to us alone TO do IL. or lose
'them), the taxes will be such a source
OF revenue as TO surprise one. The gov.
eminent approaches perfect autonomy
as nearly as possible. There is the
Governor General over all. and below
him the nine commissioners Give
Americans. four Filipinos) who act as
the upper house. corresponding to our
senate. and exofficia as cabinet off,
GERS. In charge of the various bu-
,reaus. The Assembly, consisting of
natives elected by all provinces tone
or more from each of the thirty eight
l.