Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-01-03


25O,OO0 inhabitants, is destined to become
the great oriental distributing center for
our manufactured and raw products. Only
the magic touch of American capital and
enterprise is needed to convert millions
of fertile acres into smiling fields of golden
rice, hemp plantations, cocoanut orchards
and tobacco fields.
Before the Spanish American war, few
of the natives could read or write, as
shown by the government census of 1923.
The educational institutions of the islands
were practically confined to Manila and
two or three of the larger provincial towns.
With the exception of the wealthy natives
and the mestizo class, few of the inhabi-
tants enjoyed the privilege of education,
although Spain had attempted on several
occasions to organize public school sys-
TEN for the masses, which had been frus-
trated by the controlling authorities. Dur
ing the centuries of Spanish domination
and misrule, the slogan had ever been,
"Amuse the Indian, but keep him ignorant"
Generally speaking, the domestic envi-
ronment of the Filipino was confined to
a two or four-room nipa house, elevated on
bamboo poles eight or ten feet above the
ground. His furniture was primitive and
simple, and rarely included chairs, tables
or bedsteads, while the Illumination was Sc
cured through tallow or cocoanut oil dips.
Rice and fish formed the staples of his
dietary. and homemade straw hat, cot
ton shirt and trousers his wardrobe.
Drinking water was taken from infected
wells within few feet of the kitchen door,
surrounded by a setting of garbage, filth
and human excreta. The family caraboa,
hog, dog and domestic fowls were dOmi-
ciled under the house, and the adjoining
fences Overgrown with weeds and dank
vegetation. The sanitary conditions and
habits Of the people at that time might
very aptly have been compared with those
of the Pueblo Indians of Arizona and New
Mexico.
Practically all Of the country people lived
in small poorly-lighted towns and villages
with wretched streets, and it will take no
stretch of the imagination to realize the
dreariness and monotony of their surround
ings. There were few social distractions
or amusements to make life pleasant, be-
sides they were deprived of the elevating
and entertaining influences of education,
he nd nd
was no wonder that they had become tired
of their old masters and were willing to
accept any other government fate CHANGED
to send.
Much that is contradictory has been said
and written of the characteristics of the
Filipino as a race. He has been charged
with intelligence and incapacity, virtue
and vice, veracity and mendacity, honesty
and roguery. fidelity and treachery, indus
try and laziness. In this connection it
must be remembered that for over three
hundred years the Filipino had been
vassal of Spain and the monastic orders,
and what he was at the time of American
Intervention can be safely laid at the door
of his exemplars and masters.
During five years sojourn in the Philip
pines had abundant opportunity to study
our little brown brother from a mental.
moral and physical standpoint The recent
educational system established by our gov
eminent over there has proven that Fill
Pine children are mentally bright and re-
ceptive, and much more anxious to learn
than American children. From a moral
standpoint they compare very favorably,
class for class. with Americans. The COM
mon law wife, or "querida." was general
among them in 1898, but was due to lack
Of the anti-nuptial fee required by the
church. This institution has practically
disappeared under American administra-
ton.
Physically the adult Filipino is small in
stature, wiry, active and capable of great
endurance. With no incentive to work
before American occupancy, they were
regarded as lazy. Since they find labor re-
munerative, they have surprised everyone
in the development of their industry and
have proven excellent day laborers.
The young men are especially valuable
as Wallets. housebOys and coachmen and
are generally employed as such by Ameri-
cans living in the Philippines. regard
the better type Of Filipino boy quite as
valuable for service as the Japanese. and
much more so from the standpoint of tenn
permanent and disposition. They are faith
full. industrious, amiable and become easily
attached to members Of the household in
which they live. ! strongly recommend
the Filipino muchacho as a valet or house
boy to the American people
Naturally light -hearted and with love
of home. family and music, the Filipino
may be regarded as happy people upon
whom the responsibilities Of life sit lightly
While not fond Of work, one never finds
the able-bodied Filipino beg9ar For cen
turtles he STAGGERED under the exacting
labor of rice-paddy. forest or mine, without
reward or compensation save the brutal
oaths or lashes received from his task mas
tiers. the Spanish encomenderos.
Should he by chance have acquired edu-
cation. independence Of thought and wealth,
he was not left long to enjoy il. Swiftly
and surely he would awaken some morning
to find himself under the ban of filbuster-
ismo, his property confscated and SEN
tence Of Punishment awaiting him to some
distant penal colony from whence he never
returned.
With no incentive to acquire property.
he preferred the sports Of the gaming table
and cockpit, the entertainment Of church
professions and festas and the relaxation
afforded by the numerous saint day holi-
days. During the lapse Of these cruel
centuries Of ill-treatment the FILIPINO has
ever maintained strong racial qualities Of
pride, ambition and Independence, and IL
is through these characteristics that he is
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