The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-02-26

from one viewpoint as the lowering
OF the infautile death rate and the
checking Of tuberculosis are from an
other. They are but types Of the
many measures which Americans have
forwarded with the fundamental idea
of making the Philippines better
place for the Filipino, and the Fill.
Pine healthier and more prosperous
in every way.
Educational Advancement
In the domain of public education
the years of American governmental
control have wrought tremendous
revolution. No mere hasty review by
an occasional visitor can do Justice 90
such theme. In many ways il is
the browning glory of American ad.
ministration. The splendid new build
ings for schools in many a province,
the carefully outlined courses of study,
the earnest enthusiasm Of the select
ed teachers, the high-minded intelli-
gence of the heads of the bureau of
education. are the external and visible
evidences of the successful working
out of a great idea. But it is the idea
itself that is inspiring. The children
of today are to be the Filipinos of
tomorrow. In saying to them, you
must be educated and trained in order
to accomplish the best results, in or
der TO advance yourselves as people,
American educating comes nearest to
the true idea of American occupation,
namely to prepare the FilipinOs for
nationality and independence in days
to come. 1t has not been the usual
plan in colonial administration to set
to work at once to better the intel
lectual condition of the people in or
der that they may the sooner attain
to national standards and so be pre-
pared for independence
Requisites to independence.
The order of the words is the one
which the casual observer must use
Nationality must precede indepen-
dence. To reverse the order and grant
independence first would be fatal No
hasty impression can make any one
think the islands ready for self-gov-
eminent. The Igorot in his mountain
home and the Moro of the south have
nothing in common with the man in
the lowlands of LuZon. There is no
such thing as a Filipino except in
the very narrow sense of an inhabi-
tant of the Philippines. There must
be Filipino" with common ideals,
common inspirations, common lsngu-
age and common ideas before there
/ can be a Filipino nation. Here is
where the bureau of education is do
ing the great work. # is furnishing
in English the common language. It's
courses of study work steadily to-
ward community of ideas and mental
processes. It's athletics are breaking
down tribal barriers and paving the
way to friendly rivalries which vii
bring better acquaintance and more
FREQUENT interchange of visits, with
consequent community of language
customs and thought. In fact the
bureau of education, if permitted to
work with a generations Of boys and
girls, is certain to hasten that senti
ment of nationality which must be
the foundation of true independence
Successful Colonial Policy.
American occupation of the Philip
pines has meant much to the people
Each year is certain to increase the
prosperity now enjoyed The Amer
lean visitor who takes a rapid triI
from place to place sees on every side
the evidences of American accomplish
ment. If he looks beneath the sur
face he discovers great forces in oper
alton working toward benefcent re
suits. American energy, American in
dustry American skill, American I'M
tiative. are tremendous powers Whel
Z. they are rightly utilized. The carr
ing critic may find easily occasion 10
, fault finding. One who looks at thing
, in the large, noting both difticultle
!, and opportunities cannot escape tn
:, feeling that the net results of doze
wears of American domination in tn
8 Philippine Islands are highly credi
= able to a nation whose heart is righ
so far as colonial administration
G concerned.
!. MAeOMRN In HAWAII.