Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-14
CONSERVE SPIRIT OF FAIR
DEALING

Elsewhere we publish letter from
the Philippine Press Bureau at
Washington, taking exceptions to a
comment made on Governor General
Woods report of the conditions found
in the Philippine Bank. lie declared
the banks loss of nearly thirty seven
and half million dollars in six years
in addition to over fifteen millions. or
CT per cent Of all the Governments
deposits in the bank, is a part of the
price the Government has had to pay
for its policy of entering the field of
business"
The writer of the communication
would have us believe this banks
condition was similar to the condition
of many banks in this country. 1t
would appear that he is trying to
prove too much. We do not take
kindly in this country to a policy I'M
der which public officials and bust
ness are too intimately connected
through the medium of banks. One
might infer that part of the howl
against the Governor is because of his
treading on financial toes, already
sore from unwisely treading specula-
tive paths.
There is a spirit, it seems to us,
manifested in the attitude Of some of
those seeking to work their will in
the Philippines, which, though not
r;e;,, al i-
likely to prove mischievous. Because
OF the laxity of the Governor under
the Wilson administration, because he
shrked his responsibilities and weak
~ permitted the ambitious politicians
in the islands to assume responsible
ties which the results show they were
not fitted to assume, they now insist
these are theirs by right. General
cause he is insisting on exercising
this country's rights and prerogativcs
and they are demanding that he be
recalled.
Not only do they not propose to CO.
operate, they would compel Uncle
Sam to abdicate. An Associated Press
despatch from Manila reports the
president of the Philippine senate de-
clarng in public address: "our OBJ
ject is to reduce the Governor Gener-
al of the Philippine Islands to a mere
figure head" In other words he
would take advantage of the protec-
ton afforded by the United States, all
the efforts and money that have been
expended, and make a figure head of
its representative. The Speaker Of
the Philippine house also declared of
this occasion: I'VE have enroa HE'D
upon the rights of the Governor Gen
eral because in that euise liberties
are won' Evidently the Filipino's
ideas of good faith differ from ours
as much as do their ideas of banking.
We would not assume to know all
about the situation, but we have I'M
limited confidence in the integrity and
capacity of General Wood. He is not
there because he wished to go; he
had no investments to protect or pro-
mote, no desire to handle the funds
of the Philippine bank for his person
al ends. On the contrary he only
went out of a sense of duty and with
natural reluctance, leaving more in
vitng prospects here at home. He
knew about conditions in those is
lands. lie had had valuable expert
ence and marked success in similar
administrative positions. He knows
his rights. He may not be as concil-
iatory in insisting upon them as
might some, but we firmly believe
that the relations between the Phil
ippnes and this country and the well
fare of both will be best conserved by
cooperation with this splendid admin
istrator.
Evidently the Philippine agitators
expect something from the Democrats
and will work to that end but it may
be doubted whether their telling this
country where it gets off the Philip
pines will make desirable campaign
material for any political party in
this country. The country has con-
tidence in the honesty and the judg
ment of General Wood. 1t does not
know all the conditions there; it ma
turally sympathizes with the aspira
tions of those people but it does be
ieve they have this country to thank
for very much, a considerable part of
which they have not yet utilized to the
best advantage. 1t Furthermore is
aware that those who assume to
speak for the Filipinos really speak
for but a comparatively small part of
the population, that the other inhab-
itants are likewise responsibility on
this country. And while there doubt
less are many in this country who
would wish Uncle Sam could wash
N his hands of the islands, and possibly
some who would like to exploit, them
under the protection of our Govern
ment, there is generally feeling of
consideration. of kindliness, and de-
sire to be helpful predominates
throughout the United States 1t <ould
indeed be unfortunate for all to have