davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-20
MOROS GIVEN CHANCE
FOR SELF.G0VERNMENT
U. S. Troops To Be Withdrawn,
Leaving Only Natives for
Police Work.
From TIE Tribune Bureau.

Washington. Dec. l9-To the Moros Of
Nndanao, who have caused American.
administrators about as much trouble az
all the rest OF the tribes of tho Philip
pines put together, is being given an on
portunity 70 prove their fitness for self
government without the aid and pres
cnce OF the armed forces OF the United
/ States.
The American soldiers now in Mindanao
ere 20 be withdrawn and the police work
= 10 b. done by the Philippine scouts
and the constabulary. both organizations
Of natives. although with white officers.
The civil governorship OF the province
will continue with Frank w. Carpenter,
until recently Executive Secretary OF the
government in Manila.
II is also the intention OF the admir-
lstration shortly TO withdraw from the
islands one of the two regiments OF cav
airy now stationed there. This regiment
will proceed to Honolulu.
Until now there has been one regiment
of cavalry and one of infantry in Min
dauao, under the command OF Brgadier
General Pershing. who now has been or
dered home. The troops will be trans
eerrcd &C. another part OF the islands.
While the American soldiers are being
withdrawn the administration is not TAX
ing too many chances and five additional
companies OF constabulary will be sent
into Mindanao to bring the police power
up 10 where II needs to be-
The experiment is considered one Of
great importance and will go far toward
proving whether the Filipinos have made
material progress toward the point OF
scf-control necessary to independence.
II was said tonight by army officers IA
n!liar with the islands that the admin
istration shows considerable courage in
starting OFF the experiment with the
Moros OF Mindanao
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-20

The speaker highly commended the
work and policies Of ex-President TAFT In
the Philippine Islands. as he did also the
work Of former Governor General FORBES
in that territory. He declared that. in mis-
opinion, the natives OF the islands were
not yet ready for self-government and
that the duty still rested on the United
States government 10 guide and protect
them until they were prepared to take
up the rens.
II am skeptic about the Philippine
proposition" said Justice jerks. ''or.
rather. an agnostic We have given mucn
and we have taken some, and that is how
the situation now stands. The Philippine
Islands were discovered by George Dewey
and founded by William Howard Taft. /
have heard a good deal about social con-
dtions there, and should Judge that the
society in those islands is perhaps a MKT
ure OF Coney Island and Blackwells
Island with that enjoyed I'm Siberia and
Stonington. Conn. 1t is difficult to learn
the true state Of affairs in those remote
regions from those who have been there.
but some day some man will return and
turn states evidence.
Some one has said that people become
dangerous" continued Justice jerks more
seriously only when they arc seeking
their rights. but in this case. to my mind.
their rights are wrongs ]. for my part,
am for that statesman who gives slowly
and with that giving keeps always n
mind the muniicent power OF the state
and proceeds thoughtfuly and wisely.
81 am not an Imperialist or an antrim
perialist: there Is no debate between these
two sects The problem is not one OF
that kind. II Is a problem OF humanity.
and we are the keepers OF our brothers
Il is not for us to go back or TO stand
still. but to 90 forward along the road
of duty as il has been shown TO rs ~
such men as eN-President Taft. Mr.
Forbes and others, who have studied the
situation"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-20

merely and purely as work animals Tor
tho cultivation Of our fields.
Do Not Know Their Rights.
"It seems 20 me that what I have SAID
throws a light on the real political senti-
rneut OF the educated and well-to-do po-
litical Filipinos and the sincerity % their
ioyc Of civil liberty and democratic gov
crnmcnt Think Of it, \ small directing
or governing class large class or mass
that has learned to obey and Chinese
animal ,lleg that has learned to work
The great body Of the adult Filpinos
to-day. stcepcd iu ignorance. DO not know
their own rights under the government
under which they arc now living That Is
tho reason Why slavery and rcouage con
uuuc To- exist as social features in many
parts Of the Philippines"
Civil War Would Reign.
"Now. what are We to do: Arc We 10
let these islands go and turn them over
to an oligarchy of eloquent and attractive
orators. who really believe In aristocracy
and who have no real conception Of civil
and individual liberty, and certainly no
capacity by training and education FOR
successful popular government Tho min
utc that the strong background Of a pow
crful government is withdrawn the differ
cuce between the Filipinos and tho Moros.
who are mutinous and have no sympathy
with the Fiipinos and have racial ha-
tired for them. will al once develop.
THE Moros have notified Us that they
will not stand Filipino government. and
the Filipinos say they canot take over
the islands unless they take over al Of
them. II is true that the Christian Fiji
pinos have a homogoneity greater than
might he expected from q difference In
dialect in the sixteen or seventeen dlf-
ferent dialects that they speak and their
separation into different Islands hy the
sea. but they are very different IN their
sympathies and IN their suspicious OF
each other They all have capacity for
political intrigue and Tor the institution
and maintenance OF instruction and con
tention for power.
For US 20 leave tho islands and 10
guarantee to the nations Of the wor d. IN
exchange for the treaties 81 neutrality
with respect 10 the islands. that law and
order will be preserved and that there
will be no civil commotion In which law
and order cannot be maintained. would be
an evidence of lack OF sanity that can
not think the American people would ever
display. II they should. II would not be
a year before We would have 10 30 oack
into the islands I'm order 10 maintain the
peace that we had guaranteed TO the
world.
As one prominent Filipino expressed 1t
10 me. Your vessels carrying away your
government would hardly get through
the passage between Marravales and Cor
regidor. In sight Of Manila, but ia" throat
cutting would begin.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-20
KEEP FAITH" IS
FORBES'S PLEA

An analysis Of the Philippines situation
with the conclusion that We must keep
faith with the little brown brother and
not turn him loose prematurely. TO be-
come. maybe. prey TO other nations, was
made by W. Cameron Forbes.
"The United States" he said, has been
working nov trinc over fifteen years
In the effort TO make a progressive. pros
porous and happy people Of that conglom-
GRAFTON Of races in the Philippine Islands
known az Filipinos.
II have never tried Ia discourage the
very natural and proper desire FOR inde-
incidence which is almost universal among
these people. II shows they have soul and
ambition and are worth working for. J.,
norsonallv. am not believer I'm the
United States permanently holding an
alton people I'm subsection against their
Will
Neither am ! believer In the United
States abandoning job which II mas
once undertaken. turning IT'S BACK upon
IFS manifest duty. taking the hand from
tbo plough. and for reasons or selhsh
nature. either because OF expense or trou-
BILE. or because Of apparent inconsistency
with our institutions Should we desert
those Tilipinos who have been loyal 10
US. abandon those American citizens VINO
have cast their lot in the Philippine ISL
ands or fail 10 fulfil our promise 10
the world-that We mean 10 assure the
permanence Of democratic INSTITUTIONS ih
those islan1s1
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-20
MUST GO FORWARD,
JENKS DECLARES

Mr. Taft introduced Justice Almet +.
jerks as one who had never been To the
Philippines. Besides being the presiding
justice of the Appellate Division. of the
Supreme Court. Second Division, he was
yale, '7j," Mr. Taft said. Justice jerks
proceeded in n humorous vein to tell
something of what he did not know about
the Philippines. He declared he knew
absolutely nothing about the islands or
the people. except on hcarsay evidence.
but that he was willing To place the best
construction on the situation, as what in
formation he had came from such men
as Mr.. Taft and Mr. Forbes. who were
well experienced In Philippine affairs
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-20
WORCESTER SEES
HOPE FOR M0R0S

Not tho smallest problem faced in the
PHILIPPINES. i'm the mind OF Dean &.
Worcestc.. is that Of the civilization OF
the Moros He said he had confidence in
tho ability of the United States 10 do
the work. lut that 81 would take years
OF patient ondeavor The stand Of
Bishop Brent as to the wild tribesmen he
heartily Endorsed.
when We acquired sovereignty over
tho Philippine Islands he said. I'VE
acquired varied assortment OF prob
lens. 81 these some have already been
solved some .are IN process Of solution;
some We have rs yet hardly attacked.
The Moro problem belongs In the sec
ond Of those classes.
With tho lapse or years We have sue
cocded I'm rapidly improving conditions In
many partc Of the Moro territory. MI
mcrous schools have leen established
for the children. who prove 10 he apt
pupils II has been practicable 10 en-
list many bright young fellows as sol
dlers in the Philippine Constabulary. and
thus use the Moros themselves for main
tanning Law and order in their own coun-
try.
THE seas IN the southern islands have
been very effectively rid Of pirates. and
I'm many regions, such as Iamhoanga'
Cotahaio and Davao, We have succeed
cd in winning the good will OF the chiefs
and Of the common people AZ well. IN
other regiors. such as the Lanao dis
trict and in the Island Of Jolo. We have
not only failed TO win the good VIII OF
tho hulk Of the Moros. but have aroused
bitter hostility on the part Of many OF
them.
MY personal experience in dealing
with the people Of this tribe has been
limited to the Island Of Palawan, one
81 tho i've so-cplled special government
provinces. which came under my eXecu-
tive control as Secretary Of the In
,aripr"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-20
Not Model Citizens.

AR Worcester wont on 10 say that the
Noroq OF the island were for the most
mart renegadcs. driven ont Of other Moro
settlements because of their criminal
,o,dcp,ios As the Moro AZ hts best has
won no prizes as mcdel citizen MI
yyorcos,cr felt he need not cXpatiate
further on the character or the problem
nregcntcd by this province. And yet ne
won tho regard Of these difficult people
IN such a degree that To honor him their
chiefs received him IN the company oi
,boir wives and sat down 10 dinner win
him and his escort eating from the
same dishes. something unpreccdcnte"'
far no Mahometan may eat win
cbrietian. nor may he use the dlSheS
which q Christian has dciiled II was IN
all modesty. therefore. that he added.
"Au I'm all II seems that our plans Tor
tho bcttermcnt Of the Moros at fala"an
are beginning TO bear fruit.
81. is my personal opinion that the lack
NJ uniformity observable in tho results
obtained i'm dealing with the people In inc
dIncrcnt parts OF the Moro province Is
chiefly due TO tho frequent changes wnlc'i
have beer mace in the men through WhohI
governmental control has been eNercisep'
Heretofore the district governors nave
almost invariably been army officers or
copstabulary officers. The Moro knows
nothing OF policies but understands in
dlyIduals uncommonly we'll and In deaf
ing with him the personal equation Is o.
vital importance.
TOO often It has happened that just as
man vas reaching his maximum II
usefulness and had Established friendly
and helpful relations with the Moros
under his charge. he has necessarily
been ordered elsewhere.
"The case IL Colonel Scott. for time
Governor Of Jolo affords an Illustration
IN point. He has had wide experience IN
dealing with the Indians in our own coun-
try and knew Just how to attack the Moro
problem. lie was always willing to spend
unlimited time in friendly conference With
Datos who had questions which they de-
aired him 10 settle.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-20

ture Of their achievement in telling Of
the strides made by the ''' brown
brother" and Of their rt.. N this
American triumph. They held all this
I'D with an eloquent appeal that IT he
not set at nouCht through either an i'm
practical theory concerning the right
of the FIlipinos to govern themselves
or an unworthy desire on the part of
the American nation TO shirk plain
duty toward a dependent people.
Il am most sincerely anxious said
Mr.. Taft, that no step be taken which
shall put us in the attitude of giving
III this task which we as a nation have
sot ourselves and in the performance Of
which we have made such splendid
beginning
The former President paid glowing
tribute ~ Mr.. Forbes and Mr. Worces-
fer and 10 all. himself excepted, who
had had a hand in the good work Mr..
Forbes repaid him i'm kind, and includ-
cd I'm his panegyric Mr.. Worcester and
Jacob NJ. Dickinson, his immediate SUI
pcrior as Secretary of War. Ex-Judge
Dickinson sat nearby at the guest table,
also lending his Democratic presence 20
the cause.
Mr. Taft said:
We are seeking no partisan advan-
tage in attempting 20 make the public
acquainted with the problems and OPP
portunities for splendid accomplishment
in the islands. We don't wish TO at
tack the administration in anything IT
does All We wish 10 do is TO help II
by pointing out a few Of the pitfalls
which men Of eighteen years expert
ence IN the islands. Of ten years ex-
perence and Of eight years experience
have found TO exist there.
Il know what | am saying when |
assert there is no other desire in the
soul Of Cameron Forbes than that the
problem shall be worked out we'll He
doesn't care, and Mr.. Worcester doesn't
care and / don't care who does it, so
long as II is done in the interest Of the
Filipinos and TO the credit Of the Unit Fl
States"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-20

going 10 have international complications
Of a most embarrassing kind. let MS not
therefore abandon the control We have
exercised over the affairs of the Islands,
and let us keep good faith with ourselves
and with our friends and give 10 the
Philippines the blessings OF the institu-
tons from which We ourselves have so
much benefited"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-20
Won Their Admiration.

when n band OF hostile Moros estdo-
,isbed themselves in an old stone fort,
surrounded by thick underbrush, ne
uromptly proceeded against them and ran
an 20 the fort before he knew he VAS
near II. lie ~aised his hands in indica-
lion NJ his friendly intentions only 10
hayn them torn to pieces with charge Of
buckshot. :, g,
amer having first aid bandages applied
,o sIinped his right arm through the
,,r,dIo If his horse. took the trail OF the
man who was responsible for his being
.hot and followed it until he got the man.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-20
Too Soon to Frse Them.

That the Filipinos were emphatically
unprepared for sclf-government as yet
was the burden Of both Mr.. Tafts and
If Mr. Forbess addresses. Mr.. Taft
illustrated with humorous stories the
attitude Of the small percentage of the
Christian Filipinos having had the adj
vantsges Of an education toward popu-
lar government.
Mr.. Forbes cited instances Of absurd
legislation by the lower house Of the
present government. Mr.. Worcester
added to the picture by his description
Of the Moros and the problem which
their presence in the islands presented.
on the other hand there was no in
desired a permanent American suzer-
ainty i'm the islands. In fact, Mr..
Forbes in so many words opposed the
conception. praised the Filipinos for
their desire for independence and ex-
pressed the hope they would show
thmselvcs fit for il in the future.
But with all the success Of the
American occupation in educating the
Filipino and making him prosperous
admitted he could see only a gradual
approximation OF this ideal state Inc
problems still remaining TO be solved
were all but overpowering.
Those who, either by their presence
"a: the dilncr or their activity In It's
behalf added their individual weieht 10
the aggregate protest against the Phil
ippine policy ~ the present admins
tration included such representative
Democrats as Charles Francis 8dams,
Norman Hapgood. Colonel George Har-
vcy and William Church Osborne. None
Of these men attended the dinner. but
all were included in the membership oil
the invitation and reception committee.
Herman Ridder was another. He not
only served on this committee. but at
tended the dinner and applauded with
the best Of them the points driven home
by the speakers.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-20
Others Would Get Them.

The IaboTing classes would he given
bare living and nothing more. rcduccd
TO "A condition bordering on serfdom from
which they are just beginning TO emerge.
and the United states would be placed
in a position Of doing one of two things.
either entirely abandoning the islands. In
which case some other power would
Iunp i'm and take possession Of them. or
of keeping other powers out and making
ourselves responsible for the stability
of = Government over which we retained
no control and which I'm the very nature
OF things can't be expected 10 he stable
because It has none of The elements of
stability.
"The proportion of lltcracy or the peo'
ple II multiplied by three would still be
way below the amount necessary 70 IN
sure stability The accumulated wealth
and the rate OF taxation paid by the peo-
pie, or which they are able 10 pay, are not
nearly enough TO support even an army.
TO say nothing of a navy, and the ma
ioritv of the officers old enough to hold
the rcins of the various entities Of gov
ornment-insular. provincial and munich
pal-have been brought up In the old
school I'm which the salaries paid were
email and the officers expected to exc out
their meagre receipts by extortion and
graft.
Are wee TO support these oppressors
ZIONIST tho objections OF an outraged peo-
ME or are we to let the masses rise and
drench the land with blood? And what
,re We to answer To those other nations
of the world who tell ny that they have
road in the platforms OF both parties
,ha, a stable government would be es-
"a hlisbed and maintained in the Philip
pine Islands?
"ts uo are not going to have two Mex
icos TO deal with at once II We are not
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-20
Islands SeIf-Supportlng.

There is much confusion as to the cost
OF the islands 90 the United States, ana
II does not yet seem TO be generally
known that the Islands arc self-support-
ing. The only cost of the Philippine ISL
ands to the United States Is the cost or
maintaining the small army Of Philippine
scouts and of transporting a certain por-
ton OF our army To and from the Philip
zine Islands. fortifying a few points on
the islands. and certain expenses I'm CON
nection with the navy. all these expenses,
It will he seen, being military in their
nature, and not ciyil.
THE Kernel Of the whole Philippine
proposition to the people OF the United
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-20

The Moros liked him all the better for
the courage thus displayed, and when re
left Jolo many Of the old Datos wept over
his departure
The recent substitution of civilians for
army officers as district governors is a
move in tile right direction. because civil
ians can be kept in office indefinitely II
they are successful I'm their work, and the
retention i'm office Of men who have demon
strated their ability successfully TO han
die wild peoples is matter OF funda-
mental importance in dealing with them.
1T is a very encouraging sign OF the
times that Bishop Brent has personally
interested himself so deeply in the i'm
provement Of the condition Of the Moros
II wish not only to indOrse but
strongly emphasizes the importance OF
several Of the recently published state
ments of Bishop Brent concerning this
work. He says:
Here Is mans mission-religion eS-
pressed in work. II would he futile at
this juncture. except in unusual circum-
stances TO preach 10 the Moro. The his
tory Of his race has been such as 10 close
his mind 10 christian appeal We must
1--we our Christianity with him. The hos
pital. the school and the playground must
be our pulpit
Clings to His Faith.
NO truer words were ever spoken. one
Of the main reasons why Spain failed
successfully 10 deal with the Moro was
that she insisted on forcing her religion
upon him at the very outset. His faith
Is the last thing that a Mahometan gives
up not the first Let me strongly urge
you, the members Of the Harmony Club.
to heal the body OF the Moro and 10 edu-
cate his children. but for the present let
his religion severely alone If you would
win ultimate success.
NY own experience in dealing with
primitive tribes has not been small, and
want TO say 10 you that would a thou
sand times rather undertake TO better the
condition Of race Of determined fighters
who take n hand in shaping their own
destiny than seek to help the people OF
a broken-spirited. discouraged tribe, who
fold their hands and leave their fate to
Divine Providence.
II make my own the words OF Bishop
Brent when he says:
The Moro Is by nature aggressive.
Ills powers, daring. mental shrewdness
and manual skill put him far ahead OF
most men Of Malayan origin. lie has
characteristics which. when properly
trained. will be an asset TO civilization.
He is a man OF action rather than an
idler. The only way To convert him is to
convert his energies. to teach him the Joy
of productivity. and so to inspire him
with self-respect.
There should be tho fullest and most
hearty cooperation between all Of those
interested in the welfare OF the Moro. in
carrying out this sane and wise policy.
which, II persisted in. will result in the
winning of abundant success in the end.
but fear only after long years OF patient
after the overcoming of many
grave obstacles; after the bearing OF
many disappontments; and after the
sacrifice of not few valuable human
lives
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-20
Those Who Were Present.

There sat st the speakers table. be-
sides the four speakers themselves,
Amory G.. Hodges. j. Van Vechten
olcott, Bishop Samuel Fallows, Clinton
l. Riggs. Jacob NJ Dickinson. Chan
eAIIAr Henry Mitchell MacCracken,