The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-06
PHILIPPINE SENTIMENT.
Tho Present Administration Blamed
for Business Stagnation.

TO THE EDITOR OF IHE SUMMIT. My
interest in the Philippine Islands is a
purely business one. 1t covers a period
Of ten years az periodical visits. My
judgment OF conditions is formed from
meeting business men and hearing their
side of the present situation l COM
pare this year with previous ones. Bust
ness IL at n standstill from uncertainty
as to the future of the islands no one
will invest with the chance OF native
rule. The loss OF the Pacific Mail was
a blow to the people 80 that the pres
ent Administration, which they blame
for their woes, Is not at all popular.
1t is safe to say that during my last
trip extending from Baguio to Fam
boanga | did not hear a kim word for
the existing Government except from
ofiiceholderS. "All shot 10 pieces was
the usual expression One man OF long
experience there in business said he
really believed that the Governor-General
realized that the changes had destroyed
efficiency completely.
There are certain stories one hears
from all ID about how keenly former
Governor Forbes felt his Indecent dis
missal how he left Manila before the
arrival Of Governor Harrison and how
the new Governor refused to ride mp
from the pier with acting Governor Gill
bert and later declined any information
from him. Another story Is that
Manila was notified by wireless that Of
fetal dress for the landing you'd he
frock coat and top hat. Manila gasred
from astonishment, and later from
heat. at the order. FOR Prince Albcrts
and plug hats are as infrequent in
Manila as snow drifts. Two men We're
fortunate owners of the official dress,
but the rest went out on a still hunt.
Advertisements appeared in the daily
press. and whenever n plug hat was
found II was greeted with more or less
ribald laughter.
Men who have held positions under
the Philippine Government for years conf
plain that the attitude of the present
! Administration is TO disrredit their work
o tho glor!fcation Of the newly appointed
native. Take the customs service, for
instance. l came up from Sydney. and
at ~Zainboanga the first stop. VT were
boarded by n brown, lean American.
who had been out for years. and his two
native assistants. He old them Just
where to paste each label and how to
arrange the luggage. II was fine bust
ness, for it gave them a hand in tho
Government as well as in the treasury.
No matter what criticisms ono may
hear OF Mr.. Tafts administration, and
OF course you do hear them, nc one ever
says that he was not the friend OF h
native. or that he failed to safeguard
the natives rights. The song of the
soldiers about ths "Rrown Brother IL
illustrative OF this. Take the line "He
may be n brother of william II. Taft,
but ne amt no brother OF mine" Per-
haps there was too much dangling of
ultimate freedom IN the early days.
but II was the Jones bill that did tho
mischief. II the matter should he settled
permanently. the Filipinos would go
on as they have done for centuries and
lose no sleep. whatever flag waved over
the Palacio, II would hurt some pollti-
COS. but the rank and file OF the ma
tives are very happy to live under the
Stars and Stripes after Spanish rule.
That the Filipino has arrived AT the
period when he can be trusted to govern
himself no one who has any knowledge
OF the situation for u moment believes.
and that IL why capital Is so shy, am
reminded of what a sugar planter OF
marked pro-American leanlnCs told mo
our second occupation and he said
"The Americans should never n left
the island. for they must have known
what would happen" Then very i'm
pressively "Four hundred years OF mis-
rule Ia a poor school In which TO teach
n people self-government." The came
situation obtains In the Philippines in
the same ratio as to population and ex-
tent OF territory, for there are over
LOO islands aud almost as MAN. tribes
10 consider. pAcIrICo.
WFEDspORT December