El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-11-09

ZASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. s.
VA The question OF independence
" for the Philippine islands is on
the point of definite consideration by
congress. There is going to be a big
fight over it. For the administration
is disposed to favor our reIinQuish-
ment of the archipelago, whereas, on
the other hand, opposition to such a
move is very strong among Democrats
rs well as Republicans.
1t is not merely matter OF business
policy, nor yet of patriotism. Among
all army men and civilians, who dur
ing the last few years have had to do
with the administrative control OF the
islands. the opinion IS practically
unanimous that we should hold on to
+ the IhiliDpinoS-EOt because we want
them: not for the reason that the Fill
pinOs are incapable of self govern
ment. but for the sake of protecting
the nOn-Chrstian tribes from syste-
matte oppression and merclleSs abuse
; This point has been brought very
. cOnspicuOUsly TO the front by the re-
cent exposure of the existence Of
system of slavery in the archipelago,
where, as shown by Prof. Dean G. W or
ceSter in his report on the subject, the
. helpless wild people are commonly
held by the Tagals in an involuntary
Servitude- When nOc actually bought
and sold, the wild people too frequent
y are compelled 20 do labor for their
masters under the atrOciOGs debt pay
ment play, which goes by the name Of
'pcOuaGe."
In the mountain province of Luzon
alone (Which comprises seven SubproV-
inces) there are about 100000 of these
wild people As race, they are IN
cOmparably superior to the TaSals,
i'-tySIcaliy and in other respects, but
as yet they are, most Of them, hardly
progressed beyond the tribal stage of
human development. They had no
chance to contend successfully against
the SpaniGrdS. who treated them most
cruelty: and this policy of maltreat-
ment has been faithfully initiated by
the TaEals
Wild Tribes Have No StandinG.
Under such circumstances the wild
people had no opportunity to get
ahead or to improve their condition.
The Ta@ais have never been disposed
TO regard them as human beings, but
on the slightest prOvOcation, or with
cut any, have hunted them ike wild
beasts. They have been, ruthlessly
rOOpe1 Of their cultivated lands or or
anything else they might possess that
was worth having In the civil courts
they have had no standing whatever.
1t is then, by no means surprising that
the Americans. when they took over
the islands found the wild tribes of
LuZon for the most part exceedingly
hostile, and suspicious of the intsn-
tons Of any stranger. The strangers
ticable.
All If this is now radically changed
The wild men generally entertain to-
ward the Americans feelings of utmost
friendliness, gratitude. and even affec-
ton. No wonder. indeed. that such
should be the case The Americans ac-
Jually treat them like human beings;
do not hunt them down like wild
beasts, or cheat them or rob them, or
enslave them and their children In
stead the Americans are trying TO
teach them trades, giving them new
and useful plants to cultivate, build
ing school houses for them. helping
them TO construct roads and bridges.
esta blishing trade depOts for them and
curing their sick in firstclass, modern
hospitals established for their special
and exclusive benefit.
The vaccination of the wild tribes
against smallpox has already done
much TO diminish the death rate Says
Prof. Worcester: The change accom-
pGshed in the condition of the wild