The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1912-12-07

Philippine Islands contains in
formation sufficient to kindle
anew the keen interest of the Ameri-
can people In their island possessions
between Australia and eastern Asia.
The Philippines have belonged to the
United States for a dozen years, ana
the contrast between the Filipino pop
yS..on as . whole at that time and
the present affords a striking parallel,
the achievements of our civilizing In
f~luerces and efforts offering a COM
pensation for whatever trouble these
D:hnds have been. And 1t was reason
abe to expect that Uncle Sam would
have his troubles. for the archipelago
ras overrun with wild savages. Even
now the savage element is strong in
number. as shown by the United
states census giving the population as
1.635.426, 8 per cen of whom were
savage. There are something like a
million semicivllized inhabitants. But
for all that, marvellous progress has
been made.
When this country acquired The
Philippines, head hunters swarmed
throughout the islands, but the Ameri-
can governors Of the tribes state that
the grewsome custom has almost en-
tirely disappeared. Another encourag-
ing statement recently was made by
Major Henry Gilsheuser, governor or
the Davao district. He said that the
Bagobas of Mindanao had quit killing
their fellows and taken to farming.
1t formerly was a rule that a man or
the Bagobas could not marry until he
had killed a human being. Major Oils
heuser's news is particularly cheering,
as some of the dozen or more tribes of
the Mindanao are SO savage as to be
almost hopeless.
A BETTER GENERATION
While they are improving, the Bago-
bas cling to some of their savage Gus
toms, such as fling and blackening
their teeth. They are ~polygamists.
Their human sacrifices, which Major
Gilsheuser says have been abandoned.
were attended with praying to the
mountains. The Bagobas have always
raised hemp, but now that they are
OttOLulAB DCltCl AhNy 80
growing 1t in larger quantities. Large
numbers Of the Bagobas have been as
sembled in villages which have
schools, and scouts and the police
teach the savage children in other sec
lions. Boys of the surrounding tribes
are now coming in to attend the agri-
cultural and Industrial school in their
town of DavaO.
The report of the director of educa.
ton for the islands, covering the school
year ending April 1, 1912. shows very
encouraging results were obtained In
all lines OF school activities. Indus
trial instruction has been organized
and developed 10 a greater extent than
In any previous year. and a large mum
Der of permanent school buildings
have been completed. \ decided i'm
provement is reported in the teach
Ing force. both Aperican and Filipino.
In the past year 1Gl Filipinos have
been assigned 10 positions rs s%upervis-
ine and assistant supervising teachers
Specialization begins with the first
vear Of the intermediate grades. five
courses being provided the general
course. the course for teaching. the
course in farming. the trade course.
the course in housekeeping and house
hold arts and the course in business.
This specialization is Incorporated into
the course of study in order that the
child may secure snch training as will
directly prepare him for Il useful life.
GROWTH OF EDUCATION
IN furtherance of tie policy Of pro-
vfdins adequate school accommodations
standard plans based upon the unit
system Of construction. which allows
additions To be made n necessity may
demand without Getracting from the
or utility of the original
structure. have been prepared. Each
unit * o class room Of STANDARD size.
7 by o meters Plans have been adopt
ed for buildings Of from one TO twenty