OCR Text |
Show PHILIPPINE STANDARDS. The report of the meeting In Boston of the anti-lmpe-rlalists, so called. In which the independence of tho Filipinos Fili-pinos Is confidently assured, comes co-lr.cldently co-lr.cldently with a bundle of Manila Americans, which assumes that the American domination Is fixed. And whatever may be the ultimate result, Secretary Taft and all others who know the conditions In the Philippines are of the opinion that it will be a Jong time before the natives are sufficiently instructed to be safely entrusted with the full and unrestrained management of their public affairs. In one particular, the American occupation, oc-cupation, says the American, has accomplished ac-complished effectual work In creating among the Filipinos a desire to elovati their standard of living. On this point, the American says: If American occupation has accomplish. accom-plish. . llttli else. It has done sonu missionary mis-sionary work In tho way of creating among the Elliplnos a desire to elevate their standard of ii mg. Previous to American occupation, the native lived much more simply and had fewer wants than he has today. His dress has Improved Shoes, which were formerly the exception among the poorer Classes, are now worn generally. The dress of ihe native Is neater and of better bet-ter Quality than In former days Whether they are happier or not muy be another story, but that the purchasing capacity of the average Filipino has been greatly increaced is demonstrated by the fact that -he Is buying more to satisfy his now wants. s This higher standard of living should naturally encourage greater Industry. To wear good clothes and live well takes money To earn the money the native must work He must become more Inciua-trious. Inciua-trious. Whether Industry has naturally follow, fol-low, d the higher standard of living Is a nc 1 1. r of somo doubt, hut there Is no doubt but that the standard cannot be maintained Indefinitely Without fon Ini; those who Indulge into greater activity and industry The native niut product something or he will have to abandon an attempt to keep pace with his progressive progres-sive i ountrymen All this means increased trade when the capacity of the people to produce Is d -veloped These new comforts even if considered luxuries, as llvv hecoms more n ci Mary means that the production for exportation will Increase, bringing greater great-er revenue to the Islands that will again go out foi imports Increasing the "volume "vol-ume of trade and bringing the p..-op.. t,-, the enloyment of the most modern comforts com-forts in civilization as the reward of industry. in-dustry. Along those line" there 18 prospet for the Filipinos They are the substantial health lines upon whih progjre-ss may In-based. In-based. The laborer can work out an independence in-dependence for hiinscif. TIiIm means a home and all the comfort thai go with It All now should be a v ,i I la tile and hi3 every wish gratified if he devotes Ms energies en-ergies to the task. And in the degree that the Industrial-) a pprici.ite tlier ,.,j,,,r-tunlty ,.,j,,,r-tunlty ir labor and receive the fuflesl benefits from thejr Industry will the coun-trj coun-trj nnd tie people prosper. All of which Is good reading and good news, besides no doubt staling the absolute facts. The immense Jump in prices was almost Immediate upon the American occupation, in and about Manila And It kept right along with I he American occupation wherever It was extended. This must necessarily make the- native more diligent than before, be-fore, (Hid In the end he- Will solve his destiny, as other peoples have had to do, through the practical gospel of hard work. |