The development of self-government in the Philippine Islands

Front matter

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Author's Preface

The American administration in the Philippines has not received the unbiased study which it deserves, and as a consequence there is current a doubt as to its real worth. The Philippines themselves and their people are known as a group or groups of people more or less hostile toward each other who clamor for immediate independence. Attempts to evaluate the American rule have been subjected to vigorous restrictions for special interests. This is unfortunate, for such an attitude does not reflect the American integrity in the Islands and tends to becloud the facts which would otherwise give credit to Americans and Filipinos. Realizing this gross misrepresentation, the Filipinos have endeavored to correct the erroneous ideas but their good efforts have failed to make themselves felt. This is due to two reasons: first, because of the importance of politics; second, because of the lack of constructive propaganda.

Within the brief compass of this monograph it is necessary to limit the field of investigation to certain aspects of the American administration. In retracing the successive steps which the Filipinos have taken to the date they assumed practical self-government, the author has attempted to show the following: (1) that a dependency may be successfully administered without disregarding the desires of the governed — America has set the example; (2) that under a humane policy two races which have nothing traditionally or otherwise in common yj AUTHOR ^S PBEFACB

may be made to cooperate with each other; (3) that the success of the American rule has been made possible because of the willing cooperation of the Filipinos themselves. The main purpose is to show the spirit of the administration and structural exposition has received little attention except where it was necessary. The monograph further attempts to show that the Filipinos' ambition for independent statehood, although very much abused for political purposes, is sincerely well meant and is largely responsible for the undivided cooperation in the execution of the liberal policy of America; that underneath this aspiration is a national consciousness — the indestructible feeling of nationality — which has developed in the course of their struggle for liberty and justice. At all events this monograph is an acceptance of the American rule in the Philippines.

The author does not fail to observe that, notwithstanding the apparent liberality of the American policy and the persistent demand of the Filipinos for independence, it appears that America must insist upon certain standards which she has set up for the Filipinos to follow before withdrawing from the Islands. So far the Filipinos have not gained the full r>or)fl^PT)oo of the American people, and what is needed is real constructive propaganda and journalism which build rather than destroy.

In the preparation of this monograph the author wishes to express his many obligations to Professor Benj. F. Shambaugh for constant encouragement and suggestions which contributed to the realization of this undertaking. Likewise is the author under obligations to Colonel Chas. C. Walcutt, Jr., Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Inkiimr \ffaii^,-^for inspiration and valuable

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suggestions and for reading the manuscript before it went to press. The author respectfully acknowledges his obligation to Dr. Euth A. Gallaher for editing the manuscript. No pretensions are made for exhaustive treatment of the subject

ViCTORTANO D. DiAMONON Iowa City Iowa November 1920

Contents

Author's Preface 5

I. Introduction : The Significance of the Military

Regime 11