Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-09-16
HARRISON As an IMPARTIAL OBSERVER

encouragement Francis Burton Harrison
Honolulu's guest today, has been appointed to
task considerably more difficult and delicat,
than merely that of administering the Philippin,
government. He is to he the representative o
President Wilson In the Philippine islands anc
to an important extent the representative o
Democracy.
Upon Mr.. Harrisonlss will largely de
pend the future attitude of the Democratic par
" toward Philippine independence The parity
policy, due largely to campaign pledges, ha,
leaned strongly toward early independence, bu
President Wilson sometime ago made it plaiI
that his own attitude does not necessarily CORE
spond with that of party campaign orators Witt
that individuality of thought already revealed
as one of his most striking qualities, he desire.
to know for himself the conditions in the Phil
ippines and he is sending Mr. Harrison as an oh
server as well as an administrator He dis
patched John Lind and Dr. William Bayart
Hale to Mexico when he wished unbiased infor
nation Of delicate kind, and Harrison's mis-
sion to- the Philippines is something III the ma
ture Of an investigation. Several of the presi
dents advisers, it is understood, have beer
urging upon him the desirability of granting
Philippine independence during his term Of OF
flee, but Wilson is not to besoxasily persuaded
It is hardly likely that he viii come to any con
clusion for year. at least, and then only aftel
his personal representative on the ground Ia,
gone over the situation with the utmost care
The appointment of Congressman Harrison
to the Philippine post has been received witt
very general appreciation. In one or two in
stances the wisdom of the choice has been ques
toned, and the Hearst newspapers made bit
Ter attack on Harrison. Some typical Hears
reason probably lay behind this attack But Oh
the whole the mainland press feels that the ap
Dointment was a good one and believes that thu
brilliant achievements Of w, Cameron Forbes
the retiring executive, will be carried forward
el.ergetically.
The Louisville Courier.J Journal calls Mr. Har
rison "a promising appointee';; the Indianapol
News is confident that he twill serve his countr.
well in the Philippines" and the Washington
POST shares this confidence. His "energy, char
ncter, and public services recommend him." il
the eyes of the New York Sun, which is no
afraid Of his making an unworthy successor t
the experienced Forbes, who sbefore becoming
governors general served on the Philippine Com
mission as secretary Of commerce and police il
the insular government and as yice-governor
general. The Harrison appointment, says tn
Chicago Tribune, ssaugurs better than was feare'
81 Democratic administration" So the Spring
field Republican, though netting that 3the un
flattering comments" multiply, concludes tina
ain view Of the fact that Mr., Harrison has hi
spurs to win in the Philippines, it is perhaps a
rood an appointment as could have been made
Senator Lodge is reported as pleased with tn
selection; SO is Mr.. Quezon, the Philippine dele
rate and advocate of independence: With per
sons SO far apart as they are approving tn
choice it may surely be accepted as a suitabi
one"
The New York Evening Mail believes tina
uthe function of Goyernor-genera Burton Harrl
son in the Philippines is expected to be to teacl
the Filipinos how to let go The Mail adds
however, that after few months in office, MI
Harrison will have learned afew things and ''hl
zeal for independence will abate with his knowl
edge