10 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT 



points up and down the entire length of the islands are lofty moun- 

 tains, on the hit!;her slopes of wliich one can reach at any time of the 

 year an atmosphere that is i)ractically temperate and alwa3'^s most 

 refreshing and invigorating. Within near distance of Manila are 

 mountains which can he utilized for hotels and harracks, which our 

 government officials, officers, and soldiers can seek for change and 

 rest during the brief period which is oppressively hot. As soon as 

 means of communication are established between Manila and such 

 points, it will be surprising to witness the effect upon the foreign 

 inhabitants. What an army experiences in the severe tests of war- 

 fare in the tropics is not a just measure of the conditions of ordinary 

 life. No one, I think, would contend that the Philippines are an 

 ideal home for the American laborer, but they afford broad opportu- 

 nities for men who occupy managing or directing positions. The 

 natives and the Chinese will provide the ordinary day laborer in 

 abundance. 



THE PEOPLE OF THE ISLANDS 



Of the people who inhabit the Philippine Islands I can saj^ after 

 extended acquaintance with them, that their good qualities far out- 

 weigh their bad qualities. When the}' are not misled or misguided 

 by ambitious leaders in regard to America and the American people, 

 they will become peaceful subjects of our government. When once 

 order is fully established, there will be little or no spirit of insurrec- 

 tion manifesting itself, except where now and then, as in any land, 

 some headstrong, unscrupulous leader ma}'' endeavor to resist the 

 government. The majority of the Filipinos are far above the level 

 of savages or barbarians and possess a considerable degree of civil- 

 ization. It is the small minority that are wild and untamed in life, 

 habits, and system of government. It is my honest opinion that we 

 shall be able to develop there a large degree of autonomy in the inte- 

 rior provinces and towns, and gradually from year to year make the 

 islands approach nearer and nearer to a condition of self-government 

 something like that of Canada or Australia. It may take a consider- 

 able period of j^ears, but the people are naturally quick to learn, and 

 among them there are undoubtedly many able men to hold the more 

 responsible posts. 



Too much credit cannot be given the Philippine Commission ap- 

 pointed by President McKinlej', consisting of President Schurman, 

 Admiral Dewey, General Otis, Colonel Denby, and Dr AN'orcester, for 



