The Washington times., 1914-01-04
Growth of Parties.

Commenting on conditions in the is
lands, Mr.. Miller first sketched the
growth of parties since 1900, and showed
how the party of independence had
gradually grown
The American people," he said.
have never announced a definite and
permanent policy regarding the islands.
1t is due the Filipino people that such a
policy be announced and that thew be
| told what rs going TO be done The
idea of independence has been growing
among the Filipino Christianos and
lately the agitation has been kept up so
strong that many men have been elected
to office who belong 10 the independence
party.
when the Democrats wor the elections
in 1912, the FilipinOs expected great
things: When Harrison arrived, there
fore, they thought the time had come
for some blessings not before enjoyed.
The message of President Wilson 20
them and the. policy Harrison iuaugu-
rated gave them something they had
never dreamed J1. majority of the
commission. II is my opinion that The
leaders were at heart disappointed II
soon became apparent what that meant,
and they soon saw they had been given
form of government very difficult to
handle. ] am pleased to see they are
trying 70 make the most of it.
DeSlleo 10 help.
The Americans and Europeans in tine
islands at the outset were desrous of
helping Mr.. Harrison carry out his
policy, whatever it might be, hoping
that it would be the best for business
conditions, and desiring to help for the
sake of the honor and dignity of the
American people. But when the fun
possibilities of this change-whrreby the
entire Legislative branch of the govern
ment is put into control of the F'iiipinOS
and TIL governor has no vetO-became
apparent. the Americans and Europeans
werr stunned, knowing as they do the
Filipino character and knowing what is
likely To- happen
THE Americans and Europeans are
all very much alarmed. / think there
Is a disposition on the part OF the Amer
leans in the islands to give the FiHpinos
just as full participation in govern
.nent as they can safely be intrasted
with / ConVeTSCd with all the prInci-
pal American officials. More told me
they were Democrats than Republicans
! found the American officials inspired
by a desire to give the natives a good
clean, efficient government and help
ernment of the islands which has hith-
ertoo prevailed has been more efficient
more economical. than Americans have
established for themselves in any State
many men not in political life who have
been thoroughly acquainted with the
Philippine Islands ever since the Ameri-
cans went there. Naturally. there is a
great deal Of apprehension over any
system that threatens to knock to pieces
all the structure and all the work built
up through a period of Years.
AS matter OF fact, tn" FiIpinoS
have been filling nearly all the offices.
They have had all tho municipal offices,
all the provincial offices but that Of
trea suTcT. all the members of the Philip
pine assembly. and four OF the nine
members Of the commission Now.
they have the majority of the comrnis-
tuntiy to administer their affairs, eX-
cept there was complete check on NC
part of the Americans when there was
need of il. The change whereby they
take control of the commission removes
the check After making careful in
uuiry. | have every reason to believe
that the exact change effected was made
for political purposes, g $ a political cXl-
genCY.
The present structure Of government
will never work in the islands, and lead
ing FiIipinos know 1t, and Washington
ought to know it. After becoming
throughout the islands and ascertaininS
the sentiment OF the Filipino leaders,
have myself devised a plan which will
much more nearly meet the wishes OF
the Filipino people, plan that will
take into consideration the conditions N
the islands and the capacity of the
people to participate IN their govern
ment and will work successfully
i have been led 10 think along this