South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-04-17
Charles Edward Russell Relates
Investigation Findings
on Island.

Are the Malays OF the Philippine
Archipelago growing larger as a di-
rect result OF the benevolent con-
tact OF Western civilization? II is
certainly a sensational idea that
marked ard measurable improve
ment should be noted in one genera
ton. yet Charles Edward Russell.
who has been IN the Philippines en-
jOying some OF the best and clean
est baseball in the world. and Incl
dentally investigating the govern
ment, politics, economics. social,
racial and educational aspects OF the
islands. testifes in his recent book.
The Outlook for the Philippines,
that many informed persons believe
this 10 be so, and quotes 20 that
purpose the superintendent Of the
Medical Division OF the Philippine
Consta bulary, WHO bases his opinion
on the result OF measurements Of
900 men.
If this Is so, Il Is one Of the most
remarkable results in human history
OF course. IL is well-recognized
fact that the Orient in general is
under-fed on a monotonous and re-
stricted diet, that il pays little atteH-
tion 10 hygiene Except in cases
where some asrect OF it is con-
nected with religion). and that the
Oriental practically never exercises
for exercise sake. II is therefore
conceivable that the introduction Of
foreign foodstuffs and foreign ideas
Of dietary, of measures affecting
public health. and Of athletics on a
large scale, should produce an i'm
mediate effect.
II this is indeed so. IL is OF course
not a case of a miracle increasing
the physical possibilities Of a single
generation. but one Of supplying the
| conditions necessary 10 enable the
small brown man who has taken so
violently TO American athletics TO
reach something Ike a fulfllment Of
potentialities of growth already
there.
In a chapter entitled THE Filipino
| at Play" Mr. Russell tells what a
/ fire athlete the Filipino makes. lit
tie as ii could have been expected
from his physique. Judged by
| North Of-Europe standards" Mr.
! Russell comments. the Filipinos
are an understood people. all Malays,
by the same token. are understood.
I should suppose FIVE feet three
/ inches TO be the average height of
| the adult male. and if we are 70 APP
praise men by bulk and thews only
we shall give off-hand no great
] place TO the ISLANDERS Nothing is
| easier than these bravura valutions
by avoirdupois; yet shall we forget
that the Filipinos are as tall as the
ancient Romans, and Imperious
Caesar himself must have been OF
about this stature?
But in the case OF the Filipino
TO estimate physical rrowess by
subits is particularly unsafe, for de-
spite his comparatively small size
he has turned out 10 be one OF the
most remarkable athletes in the
world In scarcely another country
is physical training so diligently
sought, in the schools and out OF
/ them"
Our Little Brown Brother"
| Then, remarking that former
Pres't Taft referred TO the Fiiplnos
as "our little brown brothers" Mr..
| Russell observes that future Ameri-
cans may have to revise the phrase,
and goes on 10 note the extraordin-
airy fact that IL is believed that they
are growing in inches.-that the
| physical exercise and hygienic and
| dietetic ideals TO which the children