Chapter I: Preface

The writer feels that no English book does justice to the natives of the Philippines, and this conviction has impelled him to publish his own more favourable estimate of them. He arrived in Manila with a thorough command of the Spanish language, and soon acquired a knowledge of the Tagal dialect. His avocations brought him into contact with all classes of the community--officials, priests, land-owners, mechanics, and peasantry: giving him an unrivalled opportunity to learn their ideas and observe their manners and customs. He resided in Luzon for fourteen years, making trips either on business or for sport all over the Central and Southern Provinces, also visiting Cebu, Iloilo, and other ports in Visayas, as well as Calamianes, Cuyos, and Palawan.

Old Spanish chroniclers praise the good breeding of the natives, and remark the quick intelligence of the young.

Recent writers are less favourable; Canamaque holds them up to ridicule, Monteverde denies them the possession of any good quality either of body or mind.

Foreman declares that a voluntary concession of justice is regarded by them as a sign of weakness; other writers judge them from a few days' experience of some of the cross-bred corrupted denizens of Manila.

Mr. Whitelaw Reid denounces them as rebels, savages, and treacherous barbarians.

Mr. McKinley is struck by their ingratitude for American kindness and mercy.

Senator Beveridge declares that the inhabitants of Mindanao are incapable of civilisation.

It seems to have been left to French and German contemporary writers, such as Dr. Montano and Professor Blumentritt to show a more appreciative, and the author thinks, a fairer spirit, than those who have requited the hospitality of the Filipinos by painting them in the darkest colours. It will be only fair to exempt from this censure two American naval officers, Paymaster Wilcox and Mr. L. S. Sargent, who travelled in North Luzon and drew up a report of what they saw.

As regards the accusation of being savages, the Tagals can claim to have treated their prisoners of war, both Spaniards and Americans with humanity, and to be fairer fighters than the Boers.

The writer has endeavoured to describe the people as he found them. If his estimate of them is more favourable than that of others, it may be that he exercised more care in declining to do business with, or to admit to his service natives of doubtful reputation; for he found his clients punctual in their payments, and his employes, workmen and servants, skilful, industrious, and grateful for benefits bestowed.

If the natives fared badly at the hands of recent authors, the Spanish Administration fared worse, for it has been painted in the darkest tints, and unsparingly condemned.

It was indeed corrupt and defective, and what government is not? More than anything, it was behind the age, yet it was not without its good points.

Until an inept bureaucracy was substituted for the old paternal rule, and the revenue quadrupled by increased taxation, the Filipinos were as happy a community as could be found in any colony. The population greatly multiplied; they lived in competence, if not in affluence; cultivation was extended, and the exports steadily increased.

The natives were secured the perpetual usufruct of the land they tilled, they were protected against the usurer, that curse of East and West.

In guaranteeing the land to the husbandman, the "Laws of the Indies" compare favourably with the law of the United States regarding Indian land tenure. The Supreme Court in 1823 decided that "discovery gives the dominion of the land discovered to the States of which the discoverers were the subjects."

It has been almost an axiom with some writers that no advance was made or could be made under Spanish rule.

There were difficulties indeed. The Colonial Minister, importuned on the one hand by doctrinaire liberals, whose crude schemes of reform would have set the Archipelago on fire, and confronted on the other by the serried phalanx of the Friars with their hired literary bravos, was very much in the position of being between the devil and the deep sea, or, as the Spaniards phrase it "entre la espada y la pared."

Even thus the Administration could boast of some reforms and improvements.

The hateful slavery of the Cagayanes had been abolished; the forced cultivation of tobacco was a thing of the past, and in all the Archipelago the corvee had been reduced.

A telegraph cable connecting Manila with Hong Kong and the world's telegraph system had been laid and subsidized. Telegraph wires were extended to all the principal towns of Luzon; lines of mail steamers to all the principal ports of the Archipelago were established and subsidized. A railway 120 miles long had been built from Manila to Dagupan under guarantee. A steam tramway had been laid to Malabon, and horse tramways through the suburbs of Manila. The Quay walls of the Pasig had been improved, and the river illuminated from its mouth to the bridge by powerful electric arc lights.

Several lighthouses had been built, others were in progress. A capacious harbour was in construction, although unfortunately defective in design and execution. The Manila waterworks had been completed and greatly reduced the mortality of the city. The schools were well attended, and a large proportion of the population could read and write. Technical schools had been established in Manila and Iloilo, and were eagerly attended. Credit appears to be due to the Administration for these measures, but it is rare to see any mention of them.

As regards the Religious Orders that have played so important a part scarcely a word has been said in their favour. Worcester declares his conviction that their influence is wholly bad. However they take a lot of killing and seem to have got round the Peace Commission and General Otis.

They are not wholly bad, and they have had a glorious history. They held the islands from 1570 to 1828, without any permanent garrison of Spanish regular troops, and from 1828 to 1883 with about 1500 artillerymen. They did not entirely rely upon brute force. They are certainly no longer suited to the circumstances of the Philippines having survived their utility. They are an anachronism. But they have brought the Philippines a long way on the path of civilisation. Let us be just; what British, French, or Dutch colony, populated by natives, can compare with the Philippines as they were till 1895?

And what about American rule? It has begun unfortunately, and has raised a feeling of hatred in the natives that will take a generation to efface. It will not be enough for the United States to beat down armed resistance. A huge army must be maintained to keep the natives down. As soon as the Americans are at war with one of the Great Powers, the natives will rise; whenever a land-tax is imposed there will be an insurrection.

The great difference between this war and former insurrections is that now for the first time the natives have rifles and ammunition, and have learned to use them. Not all the United States Navy can stop them from bringing in fresh supplies. Unless some arrangement is come to with the natives, there can be no lasting peace. Such an arrangement I believe quite possible, and that it could be brought about in a manner satisfactory to both parties.

This would not be, however, on the lines suggested in the National Review of September under the heading, "Will the United States withdraw from the Philippines?"

Three centuries of Spanish rule is not a fit preparation for undertaking the government of the Archipelago. But Central and Southern Luzon, with the adjacent islands, might be formed into a State whose inhabitants would be all Tagals and Vicols, and the northern part into another State whose most important peoples would be the Pampangos, the Pangasinanes, the Ilocanos, and the Cagayanes; the Igorrotes and other heathen having a special Protector to look after their interests.

Visayas might form a third State, all the inhabitants being of that race, whilst Mindanao and Southern Palawan should be entirely governed by Americans like a British Crown Colony.

The Sulu Sultanate could be a Protectorate similar to North Borneo or the Malay States. Manila could be a sort of Federal District, and the Consuls would be accredited to the President's representative, the foreign relations being solely under his direction. There should be one tariff for all the islands, for revenue only, treating all nations alike, the custom houses, telegraphs, post offices, and lighthouse service being administered by United States officials, either native or American. With power thus limited, the Tagals, Pampangos, and Visayas might be entrusted with their own affairs, and no garrisons need be kept, except in certain selected healthy spots, always having transports at hand to convey them wherever they were wanted. If, as seems probable, Mr. McKinley should be re-elected, I hope he will attempt some such arrangement, and I heartily wish him success in pacifying this sorely troubled country, the scene of four years continuous massacre.

The Archipelago is at present in absolute anarchy, the exports have diminished by half, and whereas we used to travel and camp out in absolute security, now no white man dare show his face more than a mile from a garrison.

Notwithstanding this, some supporters of the Administration in the States are advising young men with capital that there is a great opening for them as planters in the Islands.

There may be when the Islands are pacified, but not before.

To all who contemplate proceeding to or doing any business, or taking stock in any company in the Philippines, I recommend a careful study of my book. They cannot fail to benefit by it.

Red Hill, Oct. 15th, 1900.

SALAMAT.

The author desires to express his hearty thanks to all those who have assisted him.

To Father Joaquin Sancho, S.J., Procurator of Colonial Missions, Madrid, for the books, maps and photographs relating to Mindanao, with permission to use them.

To Mr. H. W. B. Harrison of the British Embassy, Madrid, for his kindness in taking photographs and obtaining books.

To Don Francisco de P. Vigil, Director of the Colonial Museum, Madrid, for affording special facilities for photographing the Anitos and other curiosities of the Igorrotes.

To Messrs. J. Laurent and Co., Madrid, for permission to reproduce interesting photographs of savage and civilised natives.

To Mr. George Gilchrist of Manila, for photographs, and for the use of his diary with particulars of the Tagal insurrection, and for descriptions of some incidents of which he was an eye-witness.

To Mr. C. E. de Bertodano, C.E., of Victoria Street, Westminster, for the use of books of reference and for information afforded.

To Mr. William Harrison of Billiter Square, E.C., for the use of photographs of Vicols cleaning hemp.

To the late Mr. F. W. Campion of Trumpets Hill, Reigate, for the photograph of Salacot and Bolo taken from very fine specimens in his possession, and for the use of other photographs.

To Messrs. Smith, Bell and Co. of Manila, for the very complete table of exports which they most kindly supplied.

To Don Sixto Lopez of Balayan, for the loan of the Congressional Record, the Blue Book of the 55th Congress, 3rd Session, and other books.

To the Superintendent of the Reading Room and his Assistants for their courtesy and help when consulting the old Spanish histories in the noble library of the British Museum.

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF WORKS CITED, REFERRED TO, OR STUDIED WHILST PREPARING THIS WORK.

Abella, Enrique--'Informes' (Reports).

Anonymous--'Catalogo Oficial de la Exposicion de Filipinas'; 'Filipinas: Problema Fundamental,' 1887; 'Relacion de las Yslas Filipinas,' 1595; 'Las Filipinas se pierden,' a scurrilous Spanish pamphlet, Manila, 1841; 'Aviso al publico,' account of an attempt by the French to cause Joseph Bonaparte to be acknowledged King of the Philippines.

Barrantes Vicente--'Guerras piraticas de Filipinas contra Mindanaos y Joloanos,' Madrid, 1878, and other writings.

Becke, Louis--'Wild Life in Southern Seas.'

Bent, Mrs. Theodore--'Southern Arabia.'

Blanco, Padre--'Flora Filipina.'

Blumentritt, Professor Ferdinand--'Versuch einer Ethnographie der Philippinen' (Petermann's).

Brantome, Abbe de--(In Motley's 'Rise of the Dutch Republic.')

Cavada, Agustin de la--'Historia, Geografica, Geologica, y estadistica de Filipinas,' Manila, 1876, 1877.

Centeno, Jose--'Informes' (Reports).

Clifford, Hugh--'Studies in Brown Humanity,' 'In Court and Kampong.'

Comyn, Tomas de.

Crawford, John--'History of the Indian Archipelago,' Edinburgh, 1820; 'Descriptive Dictionary of the Indian Islands,' London, 1856.

Cuming, E. D.--'With the Jungle Folk.'

Dampier, William--(from Pinkerton).

De Guignes--'Voyage to Pekin, Manila, and Isle of France.'

D'Urville, Dumont.

Foreman, John--'The Philippine Islands,' first and second editions.

Garcilasso, Inca de la Vega--'Comentarios Reales.'

Gironiere, Paul de la--'Vingt ans aux Philippines.'

Jagor, F.--'Travels in the Philippines.'

Jesuits, Society of--'Cartas de los P.P. de la Cia de Jesus de la mision de Filipinas,' Cuads ix y x (1891-95); 'Estados Generales,' Manila, 1896, 1897; 'Mapa Politica Hidrografica'; 'Plano de los Distritos 2o y 5o de Mindanao'; 'Mapa de Basilan.'

Mas, Sinibaldo de--'Informe sobre el estado de las Yslas Filipinas en 1842.'

Montano, Dr. J.--'Voyage aux Philippines,' Paris, 1886.

Monteverde, Colonel Federico de--'La Division Lachambre.'

Morga, Antonio de--'Sucesos de las Yslas Filipinas,' Mejico, 1609.

Motley, John Lothrop--'Rise of the Dutch Republic.'

Navarro, Fr. Eduardo--'Filipinas. Estudio de Asuntos de momento,' 1897.

Nieto Jose--'Mindanao, su Historia y Geographia,' 1894.

Palgrave, W. G.--'Ulysses, or Scenes in Many Lands'; 'Malay Life in the Philippines.'

Petermann--'Petermanns Mitth.', Ergaenzungsheft Nr 67, Gotha, 1882.

Pigafetta--'Voyage Round the World,' Pinkerton, vol. ii.

Prescott--'Conquest of Peru.'

Posewitz, Dr. Theodor--'Borneo, its Geology and Mineral Resources.'

Rathbone--'Camping and Tramping in Malaya.'

Reyes, Ysabelo de los--Pamphlet.

Rizal--'Noli me Tangere.'

St. John, Spenser--'Life in the Forests of the Far East.'

Torquemada, Fray Juan--'Monarquia Indiana.'

Traill, H. D.--'Lord Cromer.'

Vila, Francisco--'Filipinas,' 1880.

Wallace, Alfred R.--'The Malay Archipelago.'

Wingfield, Hon. Lewis--'Wanderings of a Globe-trotter.'

Worcester, Dean C.--'The Philippine Islands and their People.'

Younghusband, Major--'The Philippines and Round About.'

Magazine Articles.

Scribner (George F. Becker)--'Are the Philippines Worth Having?'

Blackwood (Anonymous)--'The Case of the Philippines.'

Tennie, G. Claflin (Lady Cook)--'Virtue Defined' (New York Herald).

Speeches.

President McKinley: To the 10th Pennsylvania Regiment, Pittsburgh.

Mr. Whitelaw Reid: To the Miami University, Ohio.

Senator Hoar, in the Senate.

Blue Book--55th Congress, 3rd Session, Doc. No. 62, Part I.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTORY AND DESCRIPTIVE.

Chapter I.

Extent, Beauty and Fertility.
Pages
Extent, beauty and fertility of the Archipelago--Variety of
landscape--Vegetation--Mango trees--Bamboos 1-6

Chapter II.

Spanish Government.

Slight sketch of organization--Distribution of
population--Collection of taxes--The stick 7-13

Chapter III.

Six Governors-General.

Moriones--Primo de Rivera--Jovellar--Terreros--Weyler
--Despujols 14-23

Chapter IV.

Courts of Justice.

Alcaldes--The Audiencia--The Guardia Civil--Do not hesitate
to shoot--Talas 24-30

Chapter V.

Tagal Crime and Spanish Justice.

The murder of a Spaniard--Promptitude of the Courts--The
case of Juan de la Cruz--Twelve years in prison waiting
trial--Piratical outrage in Luzon--Culprits never tried;
several die in prison 31-47

HISTORICAL.

Chapter VI.

Causes of Tagal Revolt.

Corrupt officials--"Laws of the Indies"--Philippines a
dependency of Mexico, up to 1800--The opening of the Suez
Canal--Hordes of useless officials--The Asimilistas--
Discontent, but no disturbance--Absence of crime--Natives
petition for the expulsion of the Friars--Many signatories
of the petition punished 48-56