June 16, 1902.]
CIVIL GOVERNMENT FOR THE PHILIPPINES.
(Daily Press, 10th June.) The announcement just issued from the United States War Department at Wash. ington with reference to the government of the Philippine Islands has been led up to by the increasingly pacific nature of the news in the Manila papers. The last number to hand of the Manila Times, for instance, states that the 13th U.S. Infantry and a squadron of the 3rd Cavalry were preparing for transportation to America and that the 24th Infantry was notified of its probable departure homeward in July. Another very significant sign was that the
• mosquito fleet, the little gunboats which have done such excellent service in sub duing the insurrection in the Archipelago, are being disarmed and that two of the boats will be handed over to the Quarter- master, no doubt to be sold at once. There has been a remarkable decline in the number even of small engagements in the islands of late, and the natives concerned have been the savager element of the heterogeneous Filipino population. The surrender of General MALVAR in Luzon had a very marked effect, as it was anticipated at the time, on the languishing insurrec- tion, and this name seems hardly applicable any longer to the strife how remaining. The Moros, it is true, are in arms against the United States troops and declare their intention of never yielding. But it must be remembered that the Moros never sub- mitted to the Spanish and have clung to their independence throughout the history of the Philippines. They did not until recently show hostility toward the how that rulers of the Philippines, but is capable of ready explanation, for the United States authorities had not attempted to interfere with them.
The news from Washington is to the effect that the Acting Governor at Manila, Mr. WRIGHT, and General CHAFFEE both agree that the Philippines are now ripe for civil government, the Moros alone excepted. Obviously, without this exception, the despatch would have stultified itself. The United States authorities at Manila could not have claimed that the fierce Mohammedan tribesmen were prepared to settle down as peaceful citizens without discrediting the rest of their announcement. We cannot doubt that it will be many years yet before those "irreconcilables" of the Philippines submit to a state of government which they have never tolerated yet. But with regard to the other inhabitants of the Archipelago it is satisfactory that it now seems possible to confer on them the rights of civil govern- ment. The experiment will be watched with the greatest interest, and perhaps by some with hardly charitable expectations of failure. We believe, however, that the United States are entering upon their task with great earnestness, and if only they can keep the wrong class of men from exploiting the new colonial service the difficulty of ruling a tropical empire should not be beyond them Disquieting rumours have been circulated about the manner in which the customs service is treating its duties, but the attempt to grapple with this danger seems without doubt sincere.. It is needless to say that a transference to the Philippines of the corrupt administra. tion which disgraces many American cities would lead to signal failure in the govern ment of the islands. Such consummate folly fortunately seems remote. An ex- cellent beginning in the work of converting the Philippines, to order has been made in the effort to get rid of the religious or
|
}
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. rather ecclesiastical difficulties by direct treatment with the Vatican. The Roman Catholics' rights are to be respected, while in return the prelates of that Church in the Philippines will co-operate in the reform of abuses in connection with the terribly vexed question of the Friars, which contributed not a little to the downfall of the Spanish dominion over the Filipinos. If this and kindred questions can be put out of the way satisfactorily, the task of administration must be inmeasurably simplified.
445
as rapidly as possible, and when this is completed-which it is expected will be done by the end of the current year-the more arms, one to construction of two Tsinan-fu, the capital, and the other to the Poshan coal-fields, will be commenced with- out delay. When this development takes place, Germany's grasp on Shantung will be materially strengthened. Kiaochau will then probably become a coal-exporting port, and the
vessels of the German squadron will have a regular supply of coal within their reach without going to a foreign port for it, without the necessity of import- ing it from either Europe or Japan. This will obviously be a great advantage to the German Navy, and it will give their mercantile shipping the opportunity of coaling at the German colony, where now it does not pay them to call. The Germans are to be congratulated on their foresight, enterprise, and energy.
Nevertheless, though the way to just rule in the Philippine Islands seems growing steadily clearer, the day when, as President ROOSEVELT recently hinted, self-government can be granted to the Filipinos looks as yet We spoke of this possibility very distant. briefly last week, when we stated why this Since there is no indication that was so. there will be within the comparatively near future a majority in the United States willing
Meantime the Japanese have been at to allow the Philippines to go the way of Cuba, it is hardly profitable to discuss the ques-work in Central Chion, labouring to prepare tion. The important point, which cannot the foundations of business enterprise in It seems, according to a but attract attention now, is the manner in this empire. which civil government administered by the correspondent of the N.-C. Daily News, United States will be received by the that at Shibhuirao, the reversible terminus of the iron-mine railway in Hupeb, a large Filipinos.
new Japanese steamer of some 3,300 tons has been loading irou ore for Japan, whither a large quantity is now being exported from this mine. The ore is shipped to Waka- mutsn, in Japan, where it is smelted more successfully than at the Han-yang Iron- works. This is quite a new departure and shows great enterprise on the part of the Japanese. There are no ironstone deposits in Japan of any importance, but the Japanese are none the less determined to manufacture iron for themselves, and they have commenced the import of the ore from Hupeh on a large scale, this steaner having been built for the purpose, and another vessel being now in, course of construction for the same business.
THE SHANTUNG AND OTHER RAILWAYS.
(Daily Press, 11th June.) The Shanghai papers just to hand contain some items not only of unusual interest but also of unusual importance to all persons concerned in the development of Chinese The opening of the Shantung resources. Railway as far as Weihsien on the 1st inst. is an event of the first importance to the German Colony of Kiaochun, and should excite attention in all parts of China. The to have aroused keen proceedings seem interest among the natives, and the officials at Weihsien also made a demonstration in honour of the occasion. It is true that the Governor of Shantung was not present, but he sent as his representative Mr. Ku Hung- MING (known here better as HoNG BENG KAW) and the Chinese Director of Railways the Taotai HUNG, under whose auspices a successful banquet was held at the Hotel Krippendorff, when the room was decorated with silk banners and a Chinese band dis- coursed sweet (?) music between the courses. Many congratulatory telegrams were ceived, and there were general felicitations. The correspondent narrating the event says that the Chinese all along the route are now very friendly towards the railway, and that beyoud a few stall thefts of building material, which were severely punished, no attempt has been made to damage the line or rolling stock. The Chinese employees of the Railway Company are also said to have acquired a good grip of their work, and to be doing their duties admirably, showing plainly their ability to handle the growing traffic.
re-
It is not only that the traffic of the railway is steadily increasing, and the pre- judice of the natives being dissipated, however; an equally important factor in the introduction of this great reforming agent into the Central Kingdom is the circumstance that by its agency the mineral treasures of the province of Shantung will shortly be effectively tapped. From the station of Chang-lan-yuan a side track has been laid to Fangtze, where are valuable coal deposits, said by mining exports to be of good quality, and these mines can be profitably worked as soon as the means of transport are provided. It is also intended to push on the railway from Weibsien to Tsingchowfu (a distance of 250 kilometres)
|
|
|
Kow-
These enterprises are very laud- able and worthy of imitation. Why, we should like to know, is nothing being done by British capitalists to lay a railway from Kowloon to Canton through the
a line from New Territory, or loon to Waighow-fu on the East River? Why has no effort been made to tap the coal mines in the Two Kwang and bring down the produce to Hongkong? Why has no attempt been made from Weihaiwei to open up the hinterland of that port and develop a trade? We are aware that some years ago there was a great den! of talk about a railway from Kowloon to Canton, but it all ended in a more or less. trial survey and nothing was actually done. The result to-day is that German, Belgian, Russian and American capitalists are con- structing the railways of China, and they will no doubt also exploit her mines. The spirit of enterprise among British capitalists is either moribund, or the protection afforded to such ventures by their Government is so inadequate that they may almost be said to have thrown up the sponge and retired from the field. Is there no one among the pro- phets who can preach to them of the danger of procrastination and the certainty of com- mercial decadence following such timidity ?
The Kobe Chronicle says:-The Rev. W. 8. Ament; who will be remembered in connection with the looting charges made against the mis- ionaries during the Boxer uprising, is return- Yokohama on the Nippon Maru on Tuesday, ing to China from the States, having arrived at From this it would appear that the American Board Mission, notwithstanding Mark Twain's exposure, considers the looting that took place justified. It is a nice position for, a Board that claims to be extending morality as well as religion.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.