THE PHILIPPINES--NORTHERN ISLANDS AND THEIR PEOPLE.
While a deep interest in the political problems tempts me to deal
at once with the policy to be pursued by our government with
respect to the Filipinos, I am constrained to proceed logically
and discuss first the islands and their people. And in speaking
of the Filipinos, a distinction should be made between those who
inhabit the northern islands and are members of one branch of the
Christian Church and those who inhabit the island of Mindanao and
the Sulu Archipelago--people who are followers of Mohammed. While
a considerable number of Christian Filipinos are to be found in
Mindanao and some in Sulu, the Sultans and Datus have dominated the
country. Even Spanish authority never extended over the southern
islands and the garrisons maintained at the seaports were constantly
in fear of massacre.
Leaving the southern islands for the next article, I shall confine
myself at present to Luzon, Panay, Negros, Cebu, Samar and the
smaller islands which make up the Visayan group. These islands
contain the bulk of the territory, a large majority of the people,
most of the material wealth and practically all of the civilization
of the Philippines. Luzon, the largest of the entire group, reaches
north almost to the nineteenth parallel and is about six degrees
long. Like the islands of Japan, it is mountainous and well watered.
The other islands of the group are considerably smaller and extend
as far south as the ninth parallel. They, too, are mountainous,
but the valleys are fertile and support a large population. The
principal industry is agriculture, and the soil produces a variety
of cereals, fruits and vegetables. Rice, as in other oriental
countries, is the chief article of food, though hemp is by far the
largest export. The hemp plant looks so much like the banana that
the traveler can scarcely distinguish between them. Sugar cane is
also grown in many parts of the islands and would be cultivated
still more largely but for the low price of raw sugar. Sugar,
however, cannot be raised here with the same profit that it can in
Hawaii and Cuba, owing to the fact that it must be replanted more
frequently. Tobacco of an excellent quality is produced on several
of the islands and in sufficient quantities to supply the home
demand (and nearly all Filipinos use tobacco) and leave a surplus
for export.
The cocoanut is a staple product here of great value, and its
cultivation can be indefinitely extended. Of all the crops it
probably yields the largest income on the investment, but as the
trees do not begin to bear until they are about eight years old,
they are only cultivated in small groves or by those who can afford
to wait for returns. Copra, the dried meat of the cocoanut, is
now exported to the value of two and a half million dollars, but
systematic effort ought to very largely increase this export.
[Illustration: A FILIPINO VILLAGE.]
The methods of cultivation and the implements used are not as modern
as one would expect. The carabao, or water buffalo, is the one
all-purpose farm animal. Carabaos are something like the American
ox, but are more heavily built; they are uniform in color--a dark
drab--and have heavy, flat horns which grow back instead of forward.
The agricultural situation in the islands is at present most
distressing. The fields were devastated by war, and before labor
could restore what the soldiers had destroyed, rinderpest attacked
the carabaos and in some places carried away as many as 90 per cent
of the animals. We visited a sugar plantation which had lost more
than half of its carabaos during the two weeks preceding. Everywhere
one sees fields overgrown with grass which cannot be cultivated for
lack of plow animals. One can understand something of the rinderpest
calamity when it is remembered that these patient beasts do all the
plowing and all of the hauling in the Philippine Islands. We often
see them ridden, sometimes bearing two persons. In addition to the
ravages of disease and the ruin wrought by arms, the Filipino farmer
has suffered from the closing of his market. When United States
authority was substituted for Spanish rule, the Filipinos lost the
advantage which they had previously had in the Spanish market, and
then they were shut out of the United States by a tariff wall.
And to make matters worse, they now bear the brunt of the Chinese
boycott aimed at American goods. Every speaker who has attempted to
voice the sentiments of the people during our stay in the islands
has laid special emphasis upon the injustice done to the islands by
our tariff laws. This subject was also brought to the attention of
Secretary Taft and his party, and all of the American officials here
urge the importance of relief in this direction.
[Illustration: FILIPINO HOUSES]
The well-to-do Filipinos live in houses modeled after those built
by the Spaniards, but the great majority of the people live in what
are called nipa huts--light structures made with bamboo frames and
with sides and roofs of nipa palm leaves. The houses are several
feet above the ground and are reached by a ladder or steps. As the
temperature at midday does not change much the year round, the
main objects in building are to secure protection from rain and an
abundance of air, and the nipa hut meets these requirements. The
Filipino house is not only light and airy, but it is inexpensive; we
saw a school house at Santa Barbara built for five hundred pupils at
an expense of five hundred pesos, or $250 in gold. At some of the
military camps, which we visited, the Filipino style of building has
been adopted.
[Illustration: GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO.]
The Filipino dress is quite like that worn in Europe and America;
among the educated men it is identical. The men of the middle class
wear a shirt of a gauzy material outside the trousers. The women
wear a dress skirt with a long narrow train and a low-necked,
wide-sleeved waist made of jusi (pronounced hoose), or pina (penya)
cloth. A kerchief of the same material folded about the neck
completes the toilet. All the thin fabrics worn by the women are
manufactured on hand looms kept in the homes.
Iloilo is the center of the jusi cloth manufacture, of which we
saw many beautiful samples during our tour of the islands. The
pina cloth is made from the fibre of a leaf resembling that of the
pineapple. In the province of Balacan a fine quality of silk is made
on hand-looms--the weaving of fabrics being an accomplishment in
which the women take pride. There is a coarser cloth made of hemp
which is used for ordinary wear, and this is also produced in the
home and sold on market days.
[Illustration: FILIPINO BOYS WITH BLOW-GUNS.]
Such conflicting reports have reached the United States regarding
the Filipino people that I was anxious to study them for myself, and
I feel that I am prepared to form an intelligent opinion upon the
subject. I have seen representatives of all occupations in all parts
of the islands, in the cities and in the country. I have conversed
with students and professional men, visited the markets where the
rank and file meet and exchange their products, watched the farmers
at work in the fields and the laborers in the city, and I have made
inquiries of both Americans and natives. The Filipinos are a branch
of the Malay race, but there is such a strong resemblance between
some of the individual Filipinos and the Japanese as to suggest
the possibility of a mixing of bloods, if not a common origin. At
Hong Kong I visited a Filipino of prominence, and the young lady
who admitted me so resembled the Japanese that I was surprised to
learn that she was the daughter of my host. A few hours later I
noticed a young man attending to some business in a shipping office
and supposed him to be a Japanese, but found that he also was a
full blooded Filipino. The Filipinos are a little darker than the
Japanese and may average a little taller, but I have constantly been
reminded of the Land of the Rising Sun during my stay here.
[Illustration: GROUP OF FILIPINOS.]
It is frequently said in disparagement of the Filipinos that they
will not work, but this is answered conclusively by a patent and
ever present fact, viz., that they produce their own food, make
their own clothes, build their own homes and in other ways supply
their needs. They have not the physical strength of the average
American, nor have they the experience in machine labor or in the
organization of work, but they will do more physical labor than a
white man can perform in this climate and they have shown themselves
capable of doing the finer kinds of work when instructed. They are
also capable of successful co-operative effort when under efficient
guidance. One of the commission informed me that the street car
system lately inaugurated in Manila was put in at a labor cost of
40 per cent below the estimate, the work being done by Filipino
laborers under an American contractor. This is certainly an
excellent showing. The operating force is composed of Filipinos and
the cars are run very successfully.
[Illustration: IN THE PHILIPPINES]
The superintendent of the railroad from Manila to Dagupan, an
Englishman, speaks very highly of the Filipinos employed on the
road. He says that he uses natives entirely for the train service
and that he has not had an accident on the road during the thirteen
years of its operation.
A large company of men were unloading stone and gravel from barges
near our hotel, and they were as industrious and as cheerful a lot
of workmen as one could wish to see. They carried the material in
baskets and accomplished more, so far as I could judge, than the
coolies whom I saw at similar work in China. The Filipino demands
better treatment than that accorded to the coolie, but when employed
by those who understand him and show him proper consideration, he is
both competent and faithful.
In the government printing office nearly nine-tenths of the employés
are natives (and the proportion is increasing), and Mr. Leach, the
public printer, informed me that they readily learned the work
and were able to run the typesetting machines and presses, do the
bookbinding and stereotyping and other skilled work connected with
the office. The newspaper offices of the city also employ native
labor, and I need not remind my readers that the members of the
various typographical unions of the United States are among the
most intelligent of our skilled laborers. We visited the largest
tobacco factory in Manila, the Germinal, and found between twelve
and fifteen hundred men and women making cigars and cigarettes by
hand and by machine. There are several smaller factories, and all
are operated by native labor.
One of the leading furniture manufacturers of Manila is authority
for the statement that in wood carving the Filipino soon becomes
the equal of the Japanese artisan. The Philippine Islands are so
near the Equator that the heat of the sun in the middle of the day
and during the almost twelve months of summer must be taken into
consideration. When due allowance is made for climatic conditions
and for the fact that the inhabitant of the tropics lacks the spur
of necessity which ever urges on the dweller in higher latitudes,
one is inclined to excuse any seeming lack of industry. Sure it is
that those who come here from America and Europe do not as a rule
do enough manual labor to enable a comparison between them and the
natives.
Besides those who work in the fields, on the streets and in the
factories, there is an army of fishermen and boatmen. Fish forms
a considerable part of the food supply of the island, and these
are brought from the ocean, from the rivers and from the lakes
by a hardy and active people. Much of the commerce is carried by
water, and the boats are manned by natives. Except where the Chinese
have monopolized the mercantile business, the stores are kept by
Filipinos, men and women sharing the labor as they do in France.
And speaking of the women, it must be remembered that woman
occupies a much higher place in the Philippines than in any other
part of the Orient. The Filipinos contend that even before Spanish
influence made itself felt in the islands, woman was accorded an
equal place with man and divided with him both the honors and the
responsibilities of the home. However this may be, it cannot be
doubted that at present the rights of woman and her position in the
family and in society are respected fully as much as in continental
Europe. Her influence is felt in industrial and political life as
well as in the church. At one reception a lady law student delivered
an excellent address.
[Illustration: THE ACCOMPLISHED WIFE OF A FILIPINO OFFICIAL.]
Under Spanish rule education was confined to a few. In fact, one of
the indictments brought against the Friars by the natives was that
educational facilities were denied to the masses. This, too, brought
the Jesuits, the friends of education, into conflict with the
Friars. But comparatively few of the people enjoyed the advantages
of higher education, and these were a controlling influence in
their respective communities. As in Mexico and in Cuba, the cultured
men and women of the Philippines are thoroughly refined and polished
in manner.
The American government has had no difficulty in finding men
competent to fill the offices which have been assigned to the
natives, three of the seven members of the commission and three of
the seven supreme court judges being Filipinos. The governors and
mayors are nearly all Filipinos, as are most of the judges of the
lower courts. As there is no satisfactory service by private boats,
the commission furnished us a coastguard steamer for a tour of the
islands, the passengers paying the cost of subsistence, and we were
thus enabled to visit the principal cities. At all of these places
we found a group of intellectual and public spirited men. At Iloilo,
Bacolod, Cebu and Santa Barbara there were addresses of welcome and
public receptions, and the views of the residents were presented in
clear and well chosen language. At Malolos, the first capital of the
Aguinaldo government, which we visited as the guest of a committee
of prominent Filipinos, similar speeches were delivered, which met
with the approval of the assembled crowd. At Manila a public dinner
was given by a number of representative Filipinos, headed by Mayor
Roxas, at which speeches were made by Filipinos distinguished in
official and professional life. The addresses delivered on these
several occasions would compare favorably with speeches delivered
under similar circumstances in the United States. While some of the
persons who took part in these meetings showed traces of Spanish
blood, others were unmistakably Filipino; but the racial differences
could not be distinguished by the manner in which they performed
their parts.
While at Manila I met General Aguinaldo, first at the reception
tendered us by the Elks, and later at his own home in Cavite. Since
his capture he has been living in retirement and has conducted
himself in such a manner as to win the approbation of the American
officials. He is small of stature, modest in deportment and
manifests a deep interest in the welfare of his people. He has
twice appealed to the government to establish an agricultural bank
for the relief of the farmers, calling attention to the scarcity
of money and to the high rate of interest (sometimes 40 or 50 per
cent) charged the farmers on short loans. The agricultural bank was
referred to by several speakers during our stay in the islands, and
it is certain that, from an industrial standpoint, the government
could do nothing which would be more beneficial or acceptable to the
people.
Dr. Apacible, the head of the Hong Kong junta during the
insurrection, now a practicing physician in Manila, was selected
by the Filipino reception committee to accompany us on our trip,
and being personally acquainted with the leaders of thought, he was
able to bring us into contact with those who reflected the opinion
of the people, while Captain Moss, of General Corbin's personal
staff, and Collector Shuster, representing the insular government,
kept us in touch with the Americans in military and civil life. We
found everywhere commendation of the educational system established
by the Americans. It is the one department of work instituted by
our government which seems to have avoided serious criticism. I
presented this universal commendation as evidence of the good
intentions of our people, pointing out to the Filipinos that people
are apt to assert their rights in proportion as they increase in
intelligence, and that our people would not be foolish enough to
encourage education if they really intended to do injustice to the
Filipinos.
[Illustration: FILIPINO NIGHT SCHOOL--AMERICAN TEACHERS]
The large increase in the number of students and the interest taken
in the establishment of schools must be taken into consideration
by anyone who attempts to forecast the future of the islands. In
many communities there are more people speaking English to-day
than could ever speak Spanish, and the multitude of dialects will
soon be dissolved into a common language. One superintendent of
schools told me that in his district the attendance was more than
50 per cent above the school population, owing to the fact that
grown men, and women with children, insisted upon studying. Another
superintendent reported that she could not find teachers for all
the villages which offered to erect school houses. An incident was
related by still another teacher which illustrates the ambition of
the Filipino youth. A Filipino boy, who was working in the home
of an English woman notified his mistress that he wanted to go to
school. Being anxious to keep him, she offered to raise his wages
from twenty pesos per month to forty, but he rejected the offer,
saying that he loved wisdom more than he loved money.
Besides the public schools, primary, secondary, industrial and
normal, there are a number of religious schools. The Jesuits had
their schools and colleges under Spanish occupation, one of the
boys' schools which we visited at Cebu being older than Harvard
University. The Catholic sisters also have numerous girls' schools
throughout the islands. At Manila the Jesuits have an observatory
and weather bureau which, for equipment and scientific accuracy,
probably has no superior anywhere.
The Protestant churches are also establishing schools, some of them
industrial. Who will measure the effect upon coming generations of
these multiplying agencies for the training of the boys and girls of
the Philippines?
The northern islands are inhabited by a Christian population.
Whatever may be said of the governmental methods of Spain or of
the political corruption of her colonial representatives, she
established the Christian faith in the islands. Prior to American
occupation the higher officials of the church and many of the
priests were Spanish, but since 1900 American and Filipino bishops
and priests are being substituted. Under the lead of Archbishop
Harty the work of the church is being vigorously pushed and a
large number of baptisms are reported. Several of the Protestant
churches are gaining a foothold, there being upwards of ten thousand
Filipinos enrolled in the evangelical churches. The Presbyterian
church of the Tondo district, Manila, has something like four
hundred natives, Señor Buencamino, secretary of state under
Aguinaldo, and afterwards a member of the civil service commission,
being president of the Tondo congregation.
No discussion of the religious situation in the Philippines would
be complete without a reference to the independent Catholic church
of which Señor Gregoria Agilpay is the head. Obispo Maximo Aglipay
is a native Filipino, 46 years old, with an intelligent face and
fine presence. In three and a half years he has established a
church with some three hundred priests and about seven hundred
congregations. He claims a membership of about four million, but
the clergy of the regular Catholic church do not concede nearly
so large a following. In fact, they deny that he has made any
considerable impression upon the Catholic population, and as there
is no accurate church census, it is impossible to say in what
proportion the Catholic membership is divided between these two
church organizations.
As to the honesty of the average Filipino, different opinions are
to be heard from Americans, but we are told that less care is taken
to lock the doors than in America, which would indicate less fear
of burglary. The Philippine court records would embarrass us if
we became too harsh in our reflections upon the integrity of the
Filipino, for during the years 1902-3-4-5 thirty office-holding
Americans were found guilty of shortages and defalcations, the total
amount embezzled exceeding seventy thousand dollars, gold. Bilibid
prison at Manila is the penitentiary for the northern islands
and most (I think all) who receive more than a jail sentence are
confined here. There are now about forty-six hundred prisoners
in Bilibid, nearly eleven hundred serving terms for brigandage,
insurrection, rebellion and sedition--the remainder for other
crimes. If the convicts average a year's sentence each, the number
of natives sent to the penitentiary during four years would have
to be about twenty-five thousand, to give the native population a
criminal class equal to the proportion which the thirty convicted
Americans bear to the entire American population in the islands,
and it must be remembered that the defalcations have been among
Americans selected because of their supposed character and capacity.
There have been many defalcations among the fiscal officers
appointed among the natives, but not knowing the total number of the
Filipinos occupying fiduciary positions and the number of Americans
occupying similar positions, I can not make a comparison. Our chief
consolation is to be found in the fact that Americans guilty of
dishonesty have been promptly punished by the American officials,
but this does not entirely remove the stain which their conduct has
brought upon our nation's good name.
I can not conclude this article without expressing my appreciation
of the courtesy shown me by Acting Governor Ide, Secretary Furguson,
the members of the Philippine commission and the other officials,
civil and military. They were all willing to furnish information,
records and statistics regarding the things done under American
authority. While mistakes have been made, some of them expensive;
while there have been outrages by the constabulary (which is merely
a native army officered by Americans and serving under another
name) and while there have been instances of seeming partiality to
Americans where a conflict has occurred between them and natives, I
believe that the serious evils to be complained of are not personal,
but are inherent in a colonial system and can not be eradicated so
long as such a system is maintained.
The greatest need that I noted in the islands is an increase in
what we call the middle class, but this need is noticeable in the
other Spanish colonies which I have visited and will be corrected as
education increases among the masses. With more education among the
farmers there will be improved methods of agriculture, and with more
education among the artisans will come diversification of industry.
This middle class will be a balance wheel, as it were, to regulate
the machinery of society, and it will furnish a public opinion which
will control official representatives.
_The following extracts concerning Mr. Bryan's visit are taken from
Filipino papers:_
December 27, El Renacimiento, said editorially:
"Bryan. This is a name among names. Others may boast of it but in
their cases it does not mean so much. The daily press to-day fills
column after column regarding him and his name is in the mouths of
everyone. The events of yesterday claim special notice, consisting,
as they do, of more than mere generalities.
"Why do these simple people salute us? Do they treat the Americans
here this way? These are questions which were asked of his
companions during the trip through Paranaque, Las Pinas and Bacoor
yesterday.
"'The salutations are for you,' replied a prominent Filipino,
'because they know that it is you who is approaching. These people
do not know you, but they have learned that you are here and your
name is revered by them.'
"In fact few names of Americans can be mentioned among Filipinos
which will excite more feeling. Bryan did not need to come here in
order to be popular.
"The principal impression produced by his presence, even upon
his adversaries in politics, is his consummate amiability and
discretion. Bryan has made no statements or passed any judgment
regarding the Philippine administration. He has not given any excuse
for his being characterized as an agitator or a scoffer at the
enterprise which the United States, as a nation, has undertaken in
these islands.
"But does this signify that Bryan will abstain from collecting data
for future use? We believe not. One can easily hope for a highly
optimistic opinion from him, but a party man takes his ideas and
prejudices with him wherever he goes and he sees things through the
light of his convictions."
One Manila paper prints the following:
The Elks gave a rousing reception last night to William Jennings
Bryan at the club house on the Luneta, and all of Manila turned
out to do homage to their distinguished guest. The club rooms were
artistically arranged with flags and potted plants and the spacious
halls were the scene of many groups of well-known faces.
Punch and lemonade were served during the evening and the music was
furnished by the constabulary band.
The guests were received by Colonel Dorrington and Mrs. Dorrington,
Governor Ide and Mr. and Mrs. Bryan, and were ushered by Messrs.
Reiser, Patstone, Steward and Fisher.
[Illustration: A FILIPINO BELLE.]
There was considerable stir when Emilio Aguinaldo entered the hall
and was ushered up to the receiving party. He was introduced to Mr.
Bryan by Governor Ide. Aguinaldo said in Spanish, "I am glad to meet
you; I have been very anxious to see you. I have heard a great deal
of you." This was interpreted to Mr. Bryan who said, "We have heard
your name in our country also." Then Mr. Bryan said, taking hold of
Aguinaldo's arm and turning to Mrs. Bryan, "This is Aguinaldo."
At a meeting of prominent native citizens held in the office of the
president of the municipal board and presided over by that official,
the following program for entertaining Mr. Bryan was decided upon:
A public banquet at one of the hotels of Manila.
An evening entertainment at the Liceo de Manila, at 4 o'clock p. m.,
on January 6, with the following program:
1. Parade of the students.
2. Address of welcome to the Honorable William Jennings Bryan.
3. Band.
4. Speech by Mr. Bryan.
5. Theatrical performance by the students of the college.
The Manila Times of January 1 gave an account of the popular banquet
given to Mr. Bryan in the Luzon restaurant. From this report the
following extracts are taken:
At the popular banquet held in honor of William Jennings Bryan last
Friday night in the Luzon restaurant, the distinguished guest showed
the same caution as at Malolos in dealing with the questions of
policy affecting these islands, never at any time doing more than
skirting issues which if not dead are generally quiescent.
About 150 guests sat down at the tables, though when the speaking
began there were probably close on 300 persons present, most of
the new arrivals being young Filipinos of the class which made
itself prominent in the "Independence Day" held recently before the
visiting congressmen in Marble hall.
The program, which was somewhat artistically designed, had on its
first page the Stars and Stripes; inside, the picture of Mr. Bryan
and the menus and names of the committee of organization, and on
the last page the Katipunan emblem of the rising sun and the three
stars. During the evening the Rizal orchestra discoursed music at
intervals.
Generally, the speaking was too long; Judge Yusay, who occupied a
place on the program, consuming an hour in a speech which finally
tired its hearers. Mr. Bryan, the last orator, did not close his
remarks till half-past one.
In his own speech he took occasion to say that he did not feel at
liberty to speak freely as he would in the United States. Two or
three times when his remarks were leading to a climax whose logical
sequel appeared to be some reference to independence, his audience
waited almost breathlessly, but he carefully evaded the seemingly
logical denouement and ended in some relevant but not thrilling
expression, one could sense rather than hear the sigh, in some
cases of relief, in others of disappointment, which followed.
[Illustration: EMILIO AGUINALDO, MOTHER, SISTER, BROTHER AND SON]
His address dwelt chiefly on two thoughts, the first being that
there is a tie which binds all mankind together, that tie being
knit up with the human heart, and the second being what constitutes
civilization and how it may be attained.
The following report is taken from the Manila Times of December 28:
"Independence the Soonest Possible."
"Malolos Obliged."
"Mr. Bryan, the Hope of Our Nationality."
"W. J. Bryan, Defendant of Our Liberty."
Such were the legends mounted upon the arches under which William
Jennings Bryan passed from the railroad station to Malolos on the
occasion of his provincial excursion yesterday. The trip was made
by the famous democrat, in company with his wife and children, as
guests of Mr. Higgins. The private car of Mr. Higgins and an extra
coach took the party first to Gapan, where it arrived about 9:30
a. m., after having stopped at several of the stations en route,
where Bryan made short addresses to the delegations, which were in
attendance at the stations with bands of music and banners flying to
greet him.
At Malolos, the seat of the former revolutionary government and the
center of operations of the prime movers in the "independencia"
campaign, luncheon was had at the home of Mrs. Tanchanco, an opulent
Filipino matron. After the luncheon was over Teodoro Sandico rose
to introduce Sr. De Luce, who addressed the following words to the
assembled guests:
"I salute the real champion of a democratic people, the true
defender of the rights of the people; he who at Kansas City included
in his platform the independence of the Philippine Islands. I am
sorry that his presence in Malolos, once the capital of a Filipino
republic, is so short. So deep-rooted is the desire for independence
in the Filipino people that the news of the arrival of this champion
has brought to Malolos many from all about, only to greet their
savior. Such spontaneous manifestations by all grades of people
will, I believe, convince you that we desire our independence at
once. It will show you that we have a right to nationality, that
we have everything that is necessary to support a government of
our own. If the government will give us this independence it will
show it is the champion of liberty as it did in its treatment of
Cuba. Such a step here will eliminate the need of a great American
army twice its natural size, and it would avoid the corruption
of the principles inherited from the ancestors of Americans. If
America will not give us full independence, grant us a democratic
government! Separate the executive and legislative branches! Give us
real independence of the judiciary! We drink a health to those who
have not forgotten the true principles of Americans."
After the toast to the great orator had been drank, Bryan rose to
his feet and addressed some two or three hundred natives, aside from
those who were gathered at luncheon. The following is his address:
"Allow me to thank you for the welcome you have extended to my
family and to me. I appreciate also the kindly manner in which
you have referred to the way in which I have tried to express my
friendship for the Filipino people. I do not propose to discuss here
political questions. I have not felt that in these islands I should
enter on any disputed questions.
"Some things I can say with propriety. While you appreciate the
manner in which I have attempted to show my friendship for the
Filipinos, do not make the mistake of believing that those who
differ from me are not interested in this people. In my country
there are two great political parties, republican and democratic.
They enter into contests which are strenuous, but in fundamental
principles both are the same. Thomas Jefferson founded the
democratic party. Abraham Lincoln was the first great republican.
Lincoln has left records to show the admiration that he felt for the
principles and utterances of Thomas Jefferson.
[Illustration: A FILIPINO TEACHER.]
"In two contests I was defeated by the republicans, but I believe
as much in the patriotism of those who voted against me as I do in
the patriotism of those who fought for me. Those who agreed with
me announced a policy for the Philippines. Those who opposed me did
not. But do not make the mistake of believing that those others
are enemies to the islands. I believe the majority of all American
people without regard to politics or party are sincere well wishers
of the Filipinos. Yes, all.
"However you may differ about policies, all your people speak well
of what our country stands for in regard to education. Let me remind
you that these little children who are attending school speak more
eloquently in your behalf than I am able to do. The more educated
people you have among you the easier will be the task for those who
speak for you in the United States. The more respect your people
show for the law the easier will be the task for those who speak for
you. The higher the ideals shown in your language and your lives the
easier the task of those who speak for you. I want you to have as
much confidence in the republicans in power as I have, though I have
been twice defeated by them. And when I say this I am not trying
to pay them for anything. I do not owe them anything. When I say
trust them, I say it because I believe the American people want to
do right and, given the time, will find out what is right on every
question.
[Illustration: HAULING HEMP]
"Differences of opinion must be expected. In fact, that people
differ in opinion is to their credit rather than to their discredit.
Those who agree in everything do not as a rule think on anything.
Differences of opinion must not only be expected but must be
respected. Do not expect our people to administer authority here
without mistakes. They make mistakes at home, and if we democrats
get into power, good as we are, we will make mistakes. The Spanish
made mistakes here, and so would the Filipinos. I suggest that if
you want to help us who are interested in you, you can do it by
supporting with all the enthusiasm you have, the efforts made by
America here. Let us hope that whoever is in authority here and
there, they will have the wisdom to so promote the welfare of all,
as to unite both peoples in an eternal affection."
Conception Felix, the president of the Women's Association of
the Philippines, followed Mr. Bryan and spoke of the duty of the
islands in securing for them the best advantages for their welfare,
and concluded with the statement that the women of the Philippine
Islands demanded their independence.
After leaving Malolos the trip to Pasig was made and the return to
Manila was so timed as to allow the party to arrive at Santa Mesa
in good season. A special car of the street railway company met it
there.
At the reception given at Bacolod, on the island of Negros, January
5, Señor Joaquin Jortich spoke as follows:
"Hon. William Jennings Bryan and distinguished party--Gentlemen:
"The people of Bacolod and the province in general, through me, have
to-day the honor of greeting their distinguished visitors, giving to
them all a most cordial and sincere welcome, and very especially to
the illustrious leader of the democratic party who has deigned to
grant us the high distinction of his visit.
"Mr. Bryan has doubtless noticed since he set foot on Filipino soil
that the people of the islands received him as if he were an old and
beloved friend.
"There is nothing strange in this; one of the most striking
qualities of the Filipino is gratitude, even though his enemies and
detractors assert the contrary. The Filipino people know that Mr.
Bryan has been and is a sincere champion of the Filipino ideals and
interests in America, and this little suffices to make all here,
without distinction, receive him to-day with open arms and with
hearts swelling with joy.
"His visit to-day to this province gives us the satisfaction of
knowing him personally, as well as the opportunity of expressing
our true sentiments toward the North American people, to whom we
hope to make our humble voice heard through the channel of our
illustrious visitor.
"The Filipino people can not fail to thank Providence which has
appointed to them the good fortune of being under the protection of
the noble and powerful Stars and Stripes.
"No one familiar with the history of the constitution of North
America can fail to admire the spirit of wisdom and morality which
permeates its most liberal institutions.
"It is true that the Philippines bill is not in every way based upon
the principles which that constitution breathes, and it is also true
that in the government administration there exist certain prejudices
which find no place in so wise a constitution; but those defects
are errors which we hope will be rectified in time and through the
education of the people.
"To deny that the Filipino people aspire to independence in the
future would be to deny the light of the sun in broad day. But
in spite of this aspiration, we understand that peoples, like
men, in order to be independent must necessarily pass in strictly
chronological order, through different stages, which they can not
traverse by leaps and bounds. Nor do we fail to realize that the
liberty, great or small, which may be granted to a people, must be
in direct relation to the state of their culture.
"Our ambition is just and within the bounds of reason and logic.
We wish independence through evolution, because we understand that
a people, differing from another in race and in its ethnographical
and ethnological conditions, can never be governed with justice
and equity except by itself; and this, because the pride of
superiority will always dominate the governing race to the detriment
of the governed, and the latter will never be happy. Some of the
congressmen and senators who were here a short time ago have said
in Washington that the Filipino people are growing away from the
American people. That statement is by no means as clear as it should
be.
"The Filipino people, by virtue of being a tropical race, are very
sensitive, and with the same impetuosity with which they love and
admire a benefactor, they hate and despise a tyrant.
"The American people have brought us in the Philippines many things
of great value; they have bestowed upon us many benefits and have
granted us many liberties which formerly we did not enjoy; but it is
also true that among the good things they have brought some evils;
among the benefits there have sprung up like brambles certain unjust
abuses, and among the many liberties conceded us petty tyrants have
arisen to restrict them. Therefore, the Filipino people have grown
away from the bad Americans, but in no way from the American people
to whom we owe but gratitude and love.
"We love those who love us and despise those who despise us. However
defective our past civilization may have been, it has left in our
hearts the feeling of dignity which befits a people of culture.
"Unfortunately, in the Philippines, not all those who are here as
Americans possess the noble sentiments of the American people, whom
we admire and love, for we would be contemptible did we, through the
fault of some bad representatives, come to hate an entire nation
which has been and is lending us its aid.
"Our illustrious visitor has proof positive of my assertion. The
Filipino people, without knowing him personally, receive him with
open arms and as to an old and beloved friend open to him their
hearts, telling him their troubles.
"This is the Filipino people, these are their real feelings towards
the people of North America.
"We trust that these prejudices may disappear in time, as these two
races, destined to live together, continue on the road of mutual
sympathy and a better understanding.
"With regard to our present situation, from an administrative
standpoint, although we are relatively better off than formerly,
nevertheless there are in the present government many defects which
merit censure.
"Against such defects we shall continue to struggle until the
Philippines possess a legislative body which shall know better than
that of to-day the needs and conditions of this people.
"At present we have no legislative body but the civil commission,
composed of three Filipino members, without portfolios, and four
American members with them. The latter members, the majority of whom
do not know the country in its inside phases, clearly can never
dictate laws which are adapted to the circumstances and conditions
of the people.
"The Philippine archipelago is very diverse in its ethnographical
and ethnological conditions, and, therefore, it is very difficult
to frame a law which is adapted to its general necessities, unless
one has an accurate and profound knowledge of the situation and
conditions of each and every one of the thirty-some provinces which
form the archipelago.
"Another of the greatest defects which we observe in the present
government is the inequality and lack of justice in the appointments
of government positions, as between Filipinos and Americans, with
the exception of the judiciary which is the department most evenly
distributed.
"In the civil commission and in the provincial boards the voice of
the Filipino is not in the majority, neither, therefore, is the
voice of the people. It is true that the municipalities appear to
operate with the fullest liberty, but this liberty is restricted,
because the provincial board exercise direct control over all their
acts, so that municipal autonomy is, as a matter of fact, nominal.
"The most noble and acceptable institution which American government
has established here is that of public instruction. Even the
officials in that department are also the best liked and those upon
the most friendly terms with the Filipino people, although defects
are not entirely absent as is the case with every human creation.
Against this department we can say nothing up to the present. God
grant that it may continue so for many years, without being affected
by the discord and prejudice which the enemies of the country seek
to sow.
"With respect to the economic phase, we could be no worse off than
we are now, and this can be easily explained. Since the year 1896,
in which the revolution against Spain commenced, the Philippines
have gone from bad to worse in all their economic conditions,
particularly in the matter of agriculture which is the sole source
of their wealth. Of 56,000,000 acres of land which we have fit for
cultivation, only 6,000,000 acres are cultivated and 50,000,000 are
not cultivated. War, drouth, cholera and rinderpest among our work
animals, have prostrated us to such an extent that all which the
farmer might say of the situation pales before the reality. To these
inferior troubles must be added others on the outside, the lack
of market for our sugar; Japan, protecting herself from Formosa,
raises her custom tariff upon sugar; China, with the boycott, closes
her market to us because of our relations with America, and rich
America, which should protect us, also closes her doors to us with a
Dingley tariff.
"To sum up, the Philippines have no money, they have no production,
they have no market. Could there be a harder situation?
"The plantations paralyzed and the laborers without work--thus
rises the germ of ladronism. The scarcity of money is such that in
order to find a dollar to-day one needs a searchlight, and to make
matters worse the articles of prime necessity rise in price, making
existence almost impossible for the poor workman.
"In the time of the Spanish government there were in circulation
some two hundred million of Mexican pesos, to-day we have hardly
thirty million, according to the last report of the secretary of
finance, a sum which, when divided among eight million inhabitants,
gives 3.75 pesos per capita.
"If to this we add the stoppage of all business through the
paralysis of commerce and the industries, it will be seen that with
3.75 pesos for each inhabitant, pauperism, hunger and misery are
necessary consequences.
"Here we have the actual state of the Philippines, whose competition
the powerful sugar trust in America still fears. America needs three
million tons of sugar for her home consumption; her production
amounts to only one million tons, so that she must import two
million tons from abroad. The Philippines produce only three million
piculs of sugar, or about 187,500 tons. Is it possible to dream of
competition?
"Our money crisis can only be met by the establishment of
agricultural mortgage banks, and if we wish to escape disaster
in that enterprise it is necessary that its administration be
completely separated from the government, with the exception of
the usual powers of inspection, this because it is well known that
prosperity in these affairs is based upon mercantile interest,
which does not exist in government officials, whose interests are
political rather than mercantile. As proof of this statement let
us look at what happened with the $3,000,000 which the national
government donated to the insular government to improve the grievous
situation of the country. With all our soul we are grateful for
so generous a gift, but we greatly regret that the government has
not known how to administer it better. The $3,000,000 have been
exhausted, but the situation of the country has not improved in the
slightest degree. That was, indeed, a disaster.
"To-day questions involving many millions are being discussed and
it would be very lamentable if the protection and good wishes of
the national government should come to naught through a mistaken
or defective administration. Our agricultural crisis is due rather
to the terrible mortality of the work animals, which is to-day
extending to all classes of cattle. This is a misfortune from which
we have been suffering since the year 1901. Five years of massacre,
no stock in the world will stand it.
"To remedy this state of affairs we need machinery which will take
the place of the work animals, and we believe that the free entry
of every class of machinery for a definite time would be one of the
most efficacious means of fomenting and encouraging the many lines
of industry which we have to exploit, and, therefore, of raising
the country from the state of prostration in which it is found.
[Illustration: MORO HUTS.]
[Illustration: THRESHING RICE.]
"With what has been said, our distinguished guest will be able to
form an idea of the situation of this country under its triple
aspect, political, administrative and economic and echo across the
seas our by no means enviable condition. I have spoken."