Evening star., 1925-01-15
Article II.

The F'ilipinos talk about independ-
ence as though we were withholding
from them an inestimable boon which
they had previously enjoyed. AS a
matter of fact, they were never free.
never have had political liberty and
have never been self-governed. They
have always been a subject people,
ruled by an external power. All that
they. have learned of government
they have learned since the American
occupation. We. have been too liberal
with them, too easy, and have de-
pended too much upon the supposed
regenerating force of education.
We thought that the schoolbook
could solve all problems. Gntorta-
nately, w e have given merely a asup per-
ficial education TO a cpnSjd srabie
humber of natives and half breeds.
the latter, residing aaiestiy in Manila
of Spanish, Chinese and native. mix
ture, have shown mental alertHess
and have developed into, supple poll :
| ticians, Glib lawyers and facfe
writer's. y
These people of mixed blood. are
the ones, in the main. who are nsk-
ing all the noise and tunult about in
dependence for the sinister and selfish
purpose of governing. and, 1t is gem
orally feared, Expressing the islands.
Philippine Bank Looted.
The Philippine National Bank fell
into the hands of the natives during
the Harrison administration. and was
looted to the extent of about $4,000
600 gold. The Fzilipinos, as ! say,
have a decided gift for public speak
ing and writing, but as yet have
shown no talent for administrative e
work or for patient constructive toll.
II -,
is that OF the Spanish colonial rulers.
who governed them to their own
profit for several centuries
It is represented to the people of
this country by the professional in
dependence proagandipsts from the
Philippines that the inhabitants of
the islands are A unit in favor of
independence. Such is not the case.
Many strong tribes, such as the Moros,
are heartily and wholly opposed to in
dependence. They say that they fear
the manfpulations, intrigues and
greed Of the professional politicians
In Manila who, they believe, are
seeking to get control of the Islands
wholly for selfish, corrupt ends.
1t is believed by intelligent for
eigners in the islands and by people
in the other parts OF the Orient who
give the question study that If this
country were weak enough to yield
to the demands of the industrious
shouters for Philippine independence
the islands would be plunged, within
six months, in hopeless revolution,
and that there would be no security
for the lives or property of Ameri-
cans and foreigners
Huge Stake In Islands.
1t would be great mistake for
the American people lightly to yield
to the arguments for independence
advanced by the Filipino junta in
this country. We have a deep and
varied interest in maintaining con-
troll of the Philippines; our soldiers
and sailors fought for these islands:
We have made shuge expenditures to
protect them for a quarter of a CEN
tury, and it seems only fair to those
American enterprises which want to
put capital into legimate projects in
the Philippines that they should have
an opportunity to do so under fav-
orable conditions.
Though the Philippine Islands are
able to supply this country with a
large part OF the tropical products
which we consume, they are not do
| ing so now because OF the dog-in-
the-manger attitude of the Filipino
politicians. who refuse to give Ameri
cans a square deal. il c2pltal IN TINS
country could be assured of fair
treatment in the Philippines, and
could know that the government
| would not be turned over to the
Filipino politicians within the next
| so years, the islands would be de-
veloped rapidly ard the well being
| of the people enormously enhanced
| There would be an abundance OF
work for all classes, substantial
wages would be the rule and the
! islands government, in turn, would
/ profit by this agricultural and In
| dustrial activity. Means of communi-
| cation would be multiplied; educa-
tion of the right sort would be made
accessible and sanitary administra-
| ton widely extended.
| international Danger Signals.
| There is another danger that must
not be overlooked in considering the
granting OF independence to the
I Filipinos. If the United States were
! to withdraw from the islands and
surrender its sovereignty, the Fill
pino people would be an Independent
nation. Straightway they would bs