by the "Nacionalistas," and the remainder of the votes by candidates who had neither platform nor party, but ran independently, each on his own popularity. Over one-fourth of the entire vote cast was secured by the "Progresistas," which, under the circumstances, shows that conservatism is rapidly and firmly taking hold of the minds of the Filipinos; and this in spite of the utopian dreams engendered by the late Malolos government.

Those who honestly believe that the creation of a native assembly was a step taken hurriedly and calculated to retard the establishment of a republic in the Orient, should not forget these two facts: that the Filipinos are governed without their consent, nay, against their will; and that the greatness of the American nation is due principally to the democratic principles that control the conduct of her statesmen. positive results brought about by the Assembly what they may, merely by inaugurating it the American government has succeeded in winning over a great number who formerly made strong opposition to the government and suspected the sincerity of America's intentions; for the election of a radical majority can have no other significance than their willingness to cooperate with the Island government in promoting the prosperity and happiness of the inhabitants of the Islands. It may be argued, as against this view, that the mere acceptance of office under American sovereignty does not necessarily prove that there will be an end to disloyalty and opposition. Besides the argument that can be drawn from the fact that many radicals have become the conservative and faithful supporters of the American government upon assuming office, as in the case of the Provincial Governors, the following facts may, also, be advanced in answer to such objection: First, before assuming office a Delegate must take an oath of loyalty to the established government; second, it is acknowledged by all Filipinos, irrespective of political creed, that the Assembly must be the test of the Filipino's capacity for self-government; third, while it is true that among the radicals elected to the assembly there are a couple of dreamers, and a few others who are demagogues, it is beyond question that the great majority of them are sane and intelligent in their radicalism, and might well be denominated evolutionists rather than revolutionists; and, lastly, the unfailing change of attitude on the part of the opposition in any country, upon coming into power and being confronted with grave national problems. And if this be not sufficient, allow me to invite your attention to the words of Dr. Justo Lukban, himself the leader and founder of "Naciona

lista" party, in referring to the duties of a Delegate to the Assembly:

"The Assembly is the legislative body of a colonial government and it cannot, therefore, deal with the question of independence, which, under the Treaty of Paris and the Philippine Bill of 1902, can only be treated by the Congress and the people of the United States. Hence, it is of vital importance that candidates for the position of Delegate should clearly set forth the measures and laws which they expect to push and favor in the coming Legislative Assembly and plainly explain to the people that such measures are within the power of the Assembly to enact, instead of discussing the question of independence. Therefore 1 think that the platforms of political parties are necessarily composed of two parts: (1) the petition for independence, and (2) a sincere offer to help the American government so long as independence is not granted."

This, gentlemen, is my humble, but nevertheless sincere opinion with regard to the opening of the First Filipino Assembly. Permit me now to convey to you my own hopes and convictions, with the understanding that in so doing I make no pretense to speak as the representative of any particular faction in the Islands, nor, indeed, even as the mouthpiece of my fellow students here in America.

I believe, gentlemen, in my people; that people whence sprung a Rizal, who gave to the world so sublime an example of self-denial and self-sacrifice, and proved conclusively the power of a Filipino to govern himself; and I believe, also, gentlemen, in the mission of America; I believe she is not only making, but is willing to make sacrifices in guiding us along the difficult pathway that leads to self-government. I earnestly hope that our ambitions and ideals shall, one day, be crystalized into a form that will not reflect ingratitude on our part, or, at least, a want of appreciation of the disinterestedness and altruism of America's motives. That day, gentlemen, is not far distant; and I predict its dawn with the participation of the Filipino masses in the formation of Philippine public opinion. The education and uplifting of the sons of the soil, and above all, the new and vast opportunities that are placed within their reach, will furnish the living evidence of America's work, and will carry to all hearts the conviction that we were in error in blindly attempting to perpetuate the government of Malolos, whose aims were too numerous and too complex to be carried out by the few men available for the task. (Applause.)

THE CHAIRMAN: The next speaker is the REV. DR. CHARLES C. CREEGAN, of New York.

OBSERVATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

ADDRESS OF REV. CHARLES C. CREEGAN, D. D.

In my tour of the world nothing touched my heart more than a scene on the plaza at Manila when the famous Philippina band played "The Star Spangled Banner" in the presence of perhaps thirty thousand people, mostly natives. As soon as the first notes of this national song were struck every man arose to his feet, uncovered his head, and remained silent until the last note was struck. As I stood under the folds of Old Glory and saw this exhibition of loyalty for the flag of my country, I was greatly moved, and I felt then and I feel now that it is not only possible to develop these simple people into loyal subjects, but it is also possible to make them-within a single generation-capable of self-government.

In discussing the Philippines let us refresh our memories with some facts touching the geography and the possibilities of the resources of the country and of the peoples of that archipelago.

(1) Location: The Philippines embrace more than three thousand islands lying, as you remember, just east of China of which geologically it was at one time a part. The distance from Hong Kong to Manila is six hundred and fifty miles, and by the present line of steamers it requires three days to make the journey. It is twelve hundred miles from the northernmost point of the archipelago to the southernmost point. From east to west it is seven hundred miles. Only twenty-five of the islands are of sufficient size to claim special mention.

(2) The Land Area: The aggregate soil area is 127,853 square miles, or more than that of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

(3) Let us note the position of the archipelago on the world's highways: Manila is the natural port of call for ships plying between the Occident and the tropical Orient, or between Australia and the Orient. One can hardly circumnavigate the globe by any natural route without touching the Philippines at some point. When Magellan discovered the Philippines on the first voyage that was ever made by anyone around the world, it was not because he was looking for these islands but rather because he could not do otherwise than find them if he kept on in a direct course. Much might be said of the strategic importance of these islands.

(4) The Philippines are the commercial key to the tropical Orient: For America or-if we neglect our opportunity-for some other nation there will be in time a commerce there greater than the world has ever seen. This becomes evident when we recall the fact that there are four hundred million people in China, fifty million in Japan, not to speak of Korea, Siam, India and other portions of the Orient.

(5) Manila, a city of three hundred thousand people, not without considerable beauty, and not unworthy to be compared with New Orleans is, as vessels run, eight thousand miles from San Francisco and Seattle and it requires thirty days to make the trip: When the time comes, and it must come soon, when ships will not call at ports in Japan as they do now, but go direct from the cities on our Pacific coast via Honolulu the voyage will be shortened at least a week. No impartial observer can visit Manila without noting the wonderful improvement which has been made in that city since the American possession.

(6) Mindenano, with an area of 46,700 square miles, and Luzon, with an area of 57,000 square miles, are by far the largest islands, each of them being larger than Cuba. After these Samar is the next largest island, with 5,448 square miles. The other islands are smaller, some of them being only specks in the sea, uninhabited and probably of little commercial value.

(7) Mountains and volcanoes: Nearly all the islands are traversed by mountain ranges of volcanic origin running from north to south. There are many volcanoes, twenty of which are active much of the time, while thirty are extinct or at least dormant. Earthquakes are of very frequent occurrence and may be felt every week or two in some portions of the archipelago. No damage, however, of consequence has resulted from them in recent years.

(8) Mineral springs: There are many mineral springs in the islands some of which have been known and valued for generations by the natives for their medical effects. These waters range in temperature all the way from very cold to boiling hot. Some fifty of these springs have been analyzed and it is claimed for them that they rival the springs at Saratoga and some of the famous springs of Austria and Germany.

(9) Rivers and harbors: There are many streams in the islands, some of which are navigable. The largest river is the Rio Grande de Mindenao, which drains the central basin of Mindenao Island. This stream which has a fall of some five thousand feet, from its source to the sea-not to speak of many other streams-would furnish splendid water power for factories and electric works. There are many harbors, some of them among the best in the Far East. Manila is the best known and the most important. A concrete sea wall has recently been built by our government at Manila, furnishing a land-locked harbor secure from typhoons for vessels drawing thirty feet of water. When plans are completed, the largest ships can tie directly to the dock. In all other ports in the Orient all vessels are obliged to transfer their cargoes and passengers to lighters. It will

not be many years until Manila will be regarded as the safest and best harbor in all the East.

(10) The Population: The population of the Philippines is about eight millions. Of these a large per cent are members of the Roman Catholic Church. The first church of that faith was built in Manila in 1571, only fifty years after the islands were discovered. As a general statement the more civilized peoples-including Mohammedans as well as Christians—are confined to the coast regions and the valley systems, while the wild tribes-which number more than there are American Indians are to be found chiefly in the mountains.

(11) Character of the People: The great bulk of the population is of Malay origin, but it is divided into many tribes speaking many dialects. It is doubtful if in all the world there is a region of equal extent where so many languages and dialects are spoken. One cannot but hope that the English language— saturated as it is with ethical and religious thought- may become through the public schools-the one great language for all the people.

(12) Rich Plains: The many streams running down the mountain sides have carried with them tropical vegetation and have built up rich plains, one of which in northern Luzon is two hundred miles long. Many of these plains and valleys are as rich as any in India or China, but as yet the larger number are uninhabited. Some of these plains have been cultivated from two to three hundred years, but the methods of agriculture are far inferior to those in use in Japan and China. If the rich plains of the Philippines were cultivated as similar plains are tilled in Japan, the archipelago would be capable of sustaining forty-eight millions of people, or six times the present population. One of the crying needs of the Philippines is for several first-class agricultural colleges properly located, where the boys may be taught the best methods of farming, fruit culture, forestry and the like.

(13) The Climate: The Philippines are all-as you will remember in the tropics and are therefore very trying to Americans and Europeans. Bishop Oldham told me that one-half of his staff of missionaries had been driven to America by the trying climate. Many of the teachers from the United States have either died or been obliged to return home on account of the climate or from tropical diseases. The government has a large and well-equipped laboratory where scientific physicians are doing all they can to combat with tropical diseases. They have reduced the death rate to a large extent since American occupancy. Improved methods of sanitation, the paving of streets and strict quarantine regulations have made wonderful changes in the health record of Manila.