The Washington times., 1914-12-27

TRENDS among the natives that he
thought the anniversary of the martyr
! dom of Rial ought to be made a ma
uonal holiday, and the stories of the
nigh patriotic motives and unblemished
character of the man should be made
the subject OF addresses and memorials,
so that the Filipino children would
nave a fine example of pure patriotism
always before them.
Mr.. Taft even went so far as to Sc
cure an appropriation for the construc-
uon or monument in memory of
Klzal-to be erected at the spot on the
Luneta where he was executed
Having thus set up a hero for the
people TO serve as an outlet for their
| emotional patriotism and at the same
time shine forth in radiant contrast TO
the sef-secking politicians who so fire.
quentlT posed as patriots Mr. Taft
established the national holiday and
was Inc principal speaker at the first
cclcbratlon. Now, while Dr. Rial WAS
very important parsonage, and today
IS known and revercd in every section
OF the Philippine Islands, it is a fairly
safe statement that when Mr. Taft
1ound his life history in the government
archives. there was not more than one
person IN every 1000 of the Filipinos
VINO had ever heard Of DR.. Rial. or. II
they had heard OF him, remembered
anything about him
thlnk DR.. Rial was a member of
inc katlpunan-lm fairly sure he was
and II is only natural that when the
.eleporatlons OF Rial Day grew in pro-
portions the matter of carrying tho
hatipunan flag in the big parade which
ioiIhs part OF the ceremonies of the
celebration was naturally agitated. But
ihe kaunpnian flag. had been forbidden
ny the Government. and could not nc
carried IN the carly Years.
Agitation Over Flag.
This gave rise 10 all sorts Of agita-
ton among the Filipinos. The fire
brand type of orator would harranCue
the people on the street corners on the
matter OF the tyrranical American
Government which came preaching lib
erty. but would not let the people celc-
Drate their hero's great anniversary in
inc way they wanted to celebrate IL.
Inc matter of the Katipunan flag
formed topic Of annual debate. and
usually ended by the temporary confine-
mcnt Of particularly bitter orator or
two until after the Rizal Day excite
ment had completely subsidized The
speeches made by these men are sedi-
tlous and really reasonable. but if
made in the United States would attract
little attention, except by heir absurd
lues. But, As stated, the Filipino Is an
emotional person and susceptible TO fLc
wiles of such orators
IL IS customary among those OF IA
who have lived i'm Manila, TO EXPECT "A
discussion of intense character to arise
IN connection with the preparations fer
the Rial Day ceremonies. The flag a.
ways furnished a big topic for the ora
tors 10 dwell upon until one day the
Government withdrew its obicctions
Then the matter of the people who
should take charge OF the affair cana
in for as bitter debate Every one Of
these things led 10 the injection Of ma
bonal politics into the discussion with
the result that some orator would go
beyond the limits Of even the law to-
GRANGE Of the American Government and
some one would 90 to Jail on charge
Of sedition-called seditiOn in this case
because the simple charge Of dlsord.rIy
conduct did not give the authorities the,
scope 70 zeal with the situation as they
should.
Next Thursday Rial Day.
Today is the 9th Gay Of December.
Next Thursday Rial Day will be cel,-
brated. The preparations for the cello
bration have about reached their
height. The fr"uZicd orator. has about
reached its height. Also there are =
number Of wealthy interests ihat do not
want The Jones bill To be- ,ass-d by
the Senate and thus cuactcd into a
law. II ~ only reasonable to suppose
that this combination Of circumstance
could be utilized under the careful man
agement Of a Skillful manipulatOr Il
news at the further end Of 100 miles
OF submarine cable
As stated in the beginning the ger
tlemen who are stage managing tine
revolution are certainly favored by
most propitious circumstance. ,