The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-10-29

to- There are always exceptions. All this
has cost and is costing large sums OF
money, but emphasis should be given to
the fact that with the exception of the
money paid for maintaining the army
and navy, which is no more than it would
DE If stationed elsewhere, the total eX-
pense of making the improvements and
changes adverted to and maintaining the
same, as we'll as the expenses of adj
mnistration, including the civil govern
ment courts of law. salaries of APP
pointees of the United States govern
ment schools hospitals and everything
else of the kind, are and, from the start
have been paid from the treasury of the
Philippine government.
without the protection and assistance
Of the United States; without the eX-
perienced talent of representatives sent
from here; without the added energy
skill and invested capital of Americans;
If the Filipinos were again left to them
selves they would he unable to make
the progress in the development of the
resources of the country which is pos
sible and desirable; and the future of
the islands would be uncertain. They
would not long be permitted to drift to-
ward old conditions so as to be a men
ace to the health of neighboring nations
particularly interested. for the latter
would interfere and probably take pos
session and control.
The United States assumed a moral
obligation to the Filipinos and to other
nations when she took charge of these
islands. She could not shirk it if she
wished to do so.
Moreover, if the Filipinos desire it, as
believe they do, and if the United
States, as l think a majority of the cit
liens wish, shall decide to have the
ell in
part of the territory of the United States,
it would result in great financial benefit
to the islands and their inhabitants and
also to the United States; and all 9TH
! er nations would approve. Considering
| the interests of the Filipinos and the
Americans both, it would be a grave mis-
| take to sever the relations now existing
| between them.
There cannot be properly developed the
| immense natural resources of the coun-
| try and the resulting business with ade-
quate facilities for conducting the same,
| without large amounts of capital, and it
I is impossible to secure these unless and
until there shall be permanently estab-
| lished a government which is satisfactory
and will not be assaied. If the United
| States should abandon the islands, capt.
| tai already invested would be withdrawn,
| in part at least and additional invest
ments would be discontinued. The Amer
leans in the Philippines who have done
| and are doing much to advance the
| pecunary interests of the archipelago,
as well as the natives themselves, un-
derstand and openly recognize the fatal
result to the islands if they should lose
| our support.
CHINA
During the last few decades, at least,
China has not kept pace with others in
| the progressive march of nations. Pos
sessed by nature with extraordinary OPP
portunities, she has nevertheless been
retroactive in disposition and, to some
/ extent, has been exploited for the benefit
| of others With a population of 100000, 600
and a territory almost as large as Rus
STA, containing the richest and most pro-
ductive soil, variety of climate which
permits the growth and maturity of the
| principal grains and fruits and with an
abundance Of the richest minerals, she
has, Notwithstanding, become poor in
cash resources; and the normal and neces-
sary development of the country for the
proper utilization of the national assets
has been neglected if not ignored. Con-
sequently, in the consideration of ques-
tons relating to economic expansi on and
in other respects, CHINA has, for long
time, been well nigh helpless. 1t would
not be useful, nor does time permit, to
discuss the reasons for these conditions.
Many of them are well known 1t is
sufficient to say that China, with her nat
ural facilities, has the opportunity of
becoming one of the greatest and most
prosperous of nations.
Apparently, the leading Chinese states
men, the most intelligent and most in
fluential citizens and the best thinkers
are keenly alive to the situation and are
earnestly solicitous for the immediate
future of China. The present govern
mental administration and the Parlia-
ant q W
and energy to ascertain and apply
solution for the problems which interfere
with the growth and strength of their
country. They realize that there is need
| ed a new constitution which will estab-
| fish a concentrated, unified, though
democratic. government; new and mod
ern financial system which will be salts
\ factory to the financiers throughout the
world; an adequate, thoroughly trained
and fully equipped military force for de-
| fensive purposes; and the adoption of a
| systematic plan for the development of
| the whole country for the benefit and
| for the promotion of the welfare of the
whole population, The leaders are frank
and outspoken in declaring the desirable
| ty of a government such as l have indi-
| Gated; and they appreciate also the neces-
sity of having the friendship and assist
ance of all other nations. They know
| that under these conditions and with
this attitude on their part and not other
wise, they may expect to establish a credit
which will secure the loans necessary to
reorganize the affairs of government, and
| will put to practical use the instrument
talities for providing the money which
| is now lacking
| The present government is an honest,
unselfish capable, industrious and har-
monious organization. There are states
men in China of high intelligence and
I qualifications. 1t should be only a ques-
| ton of time when the internal strifes,
| that are prevalent and have done SO
much to obstruct and retard legitimate
lsgrowth and prosperity, will have ceased;
| when the peoples of the different prov
| inces will be pacified and possessed Of
spirit of genuine loyalty and patriotism.
| This is what is especially needed in
China, and this is what will be expert
| enced when there is clear and general
understanding of the motives of those
now in governmental control.
IN TRANSITION STAGE
China is now in a transition stage OF
activity. For a single and simple in
stance, the visitor to Shanghai may see
from his hotel window. within a space of
275 feet, the jinrikisha, the sedan chair
the wheebafrow carrying large load of
freight or passengers), cart drawn by
a caribou or water buffalo, donkey or
pony cart used as a passenger vehicle,
a bicycle an automobile, an electric train;