The Washington herald., 1913-11-09
United States Releasing Is
lands Would Result IN
Abuse and Oppression
from the Tagals.

Washington, Nov. '&-The question OF
independence for the Philippine Islands
is on the point Of definite consideration
by Congress. There IL go ug to be big
fight over it. For the administration is
disposed to favor our REIMBURSEMENT Of
the archipelago. whereas. on the other
hand. opposition to such a move is very
strong among Democrats as well as Re
publicans.
1t Is not merely a matter Of business
policy, not yet OF patriotism. Among all
army men and civilians. who during
the last few years have had to do with
the administrative control Of the islands.
the opinion is practically unanimous thai
we should hold on to the Philippines
not because We want them; not for the
reason that the Filipinos are incapable
OF self-government. but for the sake OF
protecting the non-Christian tribes from
systematic oppression and merciless
abuse by the Tagals.
This point has been brought very con-
spicuously TO the front by the recent ex-
posure of the existence of a system OF
slavery in the archipelago. where, as
shown by Prof. Dean c. Worcester In his
report on the subject, the helpless wild
people are commonly held by the Tagals
in an involuntary serviture. When not
actually bought and sold, the wild people
too frequently are compelled to do labor
for their masters under the atroctous
debt-paymant play. which goes by the
name Of 'peonage."
Stiil In Tribal stage.
In the mountain Province OF Luzon
alone (which comprises seven subprov-
inces) there are about 10000 of these
wild people. AS a race, they are In
comparably superior to the Tagals. ply
sically and in other respects. but as
yet they are. most Of them, hardly more
than savages. They have not pro-
gressed beyond the tribal stage Of hu-
man development They had no chance
to contend successfully against the
Spaniards, who treated them most
cruelty; and this policy Of maltreatment
has been faithfully initiated by the
Tagals
Under such circumstances the wild
people had no opportunity to get ahead
or to improve their condition The Ia
gals have never been disposed to re-
gard them as human beings, but on
the slightest provocation. or without
They have been ruthlessly robbed OF
their cultivated lands or Of anything else
they might possess that was worth hav-
ing. In the civil courts they have had
no standing whatever. II Is. then. by
no means surprising that the Americans.
when they took over the islands, found
the wild tribes of LuBon for the most
part exceedingly hostile, and suspicious
Of the intentions Of any stranger. The
49,
get. II practicable.
All of this Is now radically changed.
The wild men generally entertain toward
the Americans feelings OF utmost friend
illness, gratitude, and even affection. No
wonder, indeed, that such should be the
case. The Americans actually treat them
like human beings: do not hunt them
down like wild beasts. or cheat them, or
rob them, or enslave them and their
Instead, the Americans are
trying to make them happy-teaching
them trades, giving them new and use
full plants to cultivate. building school,
struct roads and bridges. establishing
trade depots for them and curing their
sick In first-class, modern hospitals es-
tablished for their special and exclusive
benefit.
Death Rate Decreased.
The vaccination OF the wild tribes
against smallpox has already done much
TO diminish the death rate. Says Prof.
Worcester: IF the charitably inclined
In the United States could form the
taintest conception &C the good which
physicians and surgeons have accom-
Dlished among the non-Christian peoples
of the Philippines, and of the gratitude
which the latter feel and show toward
hose who cure them of their bodily ills,
hey would certainly be glad to aid in
this splendid work"
The change accc cmplished in the condi-
ion of the wild tribes during the last
ZEN years Is nothing short of astonishing.
all parts of the great Noun
ain Province. where there was hardly
70 much as a practicable trail, has been
opened up by roads. This alone has
snabled the tribes to get acquainted
With one another, and thus to abandon
lncient feuds. No longer Is head-hunting
/ popular form of amusement. The
villages are not constantly at !
var. each with its near neighbors. The |
women and children are able TO WORK |
in the rice fields, unguarded |
Is of old by the men and boys watching |
aiding parties armed with lance and |
iead-axe.
There is, in fact. vastly less crime in |
he Mountain Province OF Luzon today |
han In any area of equal size in the |
world, of equal population. The towns |
ire vying with each other in building |
Iood roads, in constructing substantial |
ridges, In the erection OF attractive pub |
ic buildings, and in making other |
ivilized improvements. Their population |
S growing steadily as the wild people |
'ecome convinced of the desirability Of ]
the savage mode of life and |
oming in and settling. Regular markets |
re established in the larger towns, with ,
ne or more market days each week. |
deanwhile the areas devoted to the pro-
uction OF food crops are steadily extend
ng.
Superior to TagaIs.
The wild people are not only one of
he finest races in the world. physically
average a head taller
han the relatively feeble Tagals-but |
hey are exceedingly bright and clever.
the Americans have had to !
each them they have picked up with |
tmost rapidity. But it must be remem-
cred that they are savages still. The
rogress Of thousands of years cannot
e compressed into a decade or a gener-
ton.
The chief thing the Americans have
one for them Is to teach them indus
ry. They have learned to make roads,
nd bridges. to build modern houses of L
rick and stone, and TO practice a va
iety OF handicrafts from carpentry to i
reaving. All very valuable but the up-