Evening star., 1912-07-07

"A distinct advantage possessed by a
student in Washington over one studying
in any other city, said he when discuss
ing the relative merits of the capital
and other American educational cities,
lis this: that the foreigner has here
magnificent opportunity of seeing the po-
litical and governmental institutions of
the United States in practical working.
While the Filipinos have not yet adopted
the democratic institutions Of your gov
ernment, being not yet permitted their
own independence I think 1t is question
of but a short time before the great
American people will grant us this inde-
pendence so ardently longed for by every
one in the Philippines; and this they will
do, regardless of the political moves OF
any particular party, bHt because they
will come to appreciate that we deserve
independence. Now, meantime, / think 1t
best for every young Filipino who has
his country's good at heart to learn all
he can of the details of the United States
government, absorbing all he can of Its
very best features.
"Then, when we come to erect our own
government. we will have quite q body
of young men who are familiar with the
institutions which make your country
here in America the leading republic OF
the world. | think it is tn wish or every
Filipino who comes to America to nave
a
federal system under which the United
States is governed. 1t is an 1ncaicuiable
advantage, therefore. that young FIN
pino has who acquires his advanced edu-
cation in the National Capital. And am
glad to say that. without exception, every
young man from the Philippines who
comes here for his education is very wide
awake to the advantages he has in thus
living in Washington. He absorbs' the
very atmosphere of the national govern
ment"
In what particular branch of study do
you think Washington offers unusual ad-
vantages? Mr.. QueZon was asked.
'tOh. the law by all MEANS" he replied.
Here is the seat of your most powerful
and broad lawmaking body. 1t IS an ad-
vantage that can hardly be measured
that a young Filipino. engaged In the
study of American law. should be able
at any time to step into the halls OF Con-
gress and see law In the making 1t
gives him a concrete hold on 1t that ena-
bles him to retain his knowledge far bet
ter than II he were merely obtaining an
abstract knowledge of the subject Of law.
You see, we expect. even after we have
our independence, to continue to use the
forms Of legal procedure that the Amer
ican people have instituted in the Philip
pines Therefore an acquaintance with
this procedure in city like Washington
is vastly beneficial to the Filipino stu
dent. And all this will be of great ben
eft vixen we have oLr independence"
The Filipino students lead a pleasant
life. They are by nature a gregarious
people, and their dispositions are opti-
mistic in the extreme. They have, per-
haps. more than any other foreign race.
a sense of humor of the American type.
A young Filipino who can with difficulty
make himself understood in English will
snap up the point Of joke like a trout
will fly. The students are fond Of con-
gregating in the apartments of one of
their number and spending their leisure
time in social pleasures Of mild kind.
Dissipation is practically unknown among
them. They will meet and have game
OF cards, or little dance, where they be-