INTERESTING UNION LECTURE

Mr. W. Cameron Forbes '92, vice-governor of the Philippines and secretary of commerce and police at Manila, delivered an interesting lecture on the Philippines last evening in the Union. Mr. Forbes dwelt especially on the advance that the Filipinos have made in education, business ability and political efficiency since the American occupation of the islands.

Ten years ago our fleet defeated the Spanish squadron, giving the United States control of 8,000,000 alien people. The islands are not part of the United States, yet the Supreme Court holds jurisdiction over them, and although they are under our flag, the natives are not American citizens. In one respect we treat them as foreigners--in our tariff relations. This commercial was greatly hinders the development of the islands. The Philippines are our only dependency with such a handicap.

Public sentiment in the beginning was that we had made a serious mistake in assuming the responsibility for these islands, and that we should find problems there which we could not overcome. This feeling is now changed, and we have succeeded beyond our greatest hopes in the administration of the Philippines. A government is successfully established; the necessary bureaus and offices are arranged; justice is given to all; the islands are strictly self-supporting, and require no financial help from the United States. The archipelago is in good sanitary condition, disease is eliminated as far as possible, roads, railways, harbors and bridges are being built, the money for all these improvements being derived from the internal revenue.

As in all cases of sudden change of rule, the people must go through a period of tutelage, for they cannot be expected to be transformed from a state of absolute subjection to entire self-government at a single step. We try to develop the individual unit, to educate and civilize the people according to western ideas of civilization, and in the end to leave them absolutely self-governing. What the Philippine Islands need, is not new laws, not financial assistance, not a change of policy, but merely the removal of all tariffs. Up to the present time all administration has been along non-partisan lines, everything being done with a view of bettering the condition of the islands. At present we are merely holding the Philippines; what the future may bring forth, no one can tell. As time goes on, and the natives become better informed in governmental affairs, more positions are opened to them, so that now about seven-eighths of the government positions are filled by Filipinos. In their official positions they have agreeably surprised us, so well do they assume their duties and responsibilities.

All these improvements, marking the new era dawning in the islands, call for nien. Men who are educated, young, energetic and resourceful are what the Philippines need above all else, and college men have here a great and splendid opportunity.