Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 September 1898 — The Philippine Natives. [ARTICLE]

The Philippine Natives.

However lacking in Intelligence the natives of the Philippines generally may be, they could not with truth be characterized as savages. There are in the Philippines between 0,000,000 and 9,000,000 people—probably about 7,600,000. Nearly half this number Inhabit Luzon, the principal Island of the group. The Tagals of Luzon are a copper-colored people, aud, like all people of the Malay family, are short of stature. These Tagals are the most advanced and Influential element In the whole population of the islands. There are a great many very Intelligent and ambitious men among them—men who got their start in the schools established by the monastic friars whose political domination furnishes one of the many grievances which have given rise to the present insurrection. The Tagals are as industrious as the Chinese and Japanese, and more easily controlled and less criminally disposed than the latter. That they are entirely amenable to discipline when they have confidence in and respect for their leaders and advisers is evidenced by the fact U»at for over a year ( Jen. Emilio Agulnftldo, their acknowledged leader, was able to maintain good order and comparatively good discipline among his 40,000 to 60,000 followers, and under circumstances where chaos and disorder would be the most nntural condition. I ms* pot a sentimentalist—not the sort of man to go Into ecstasies of delight over the profuse politeness and kotowing of the Japanese but I have observed In the leading men and women a charmingly courteous manner. Such characteristics as rudeness, assumption or boisterousness are entirely lacking In their temperament.—Review of Reviews.