to exploit the phenomenal resources of the islands, nothing of real importance has been accomplished. There are no worth-while manufacturing plants, and few large agricultural undertakings, those that exist being mainly in the hands of or controlled by foreigners.

Upon American occupation there were but one hundred and twenty miles of railway in the archipelago, this line being British built and owned. Inter-island transportation was slow and hazardous, the waters being poorly charted and lighted. During six months of the year the public highways everywhere were little better than a quagmire, the larger rivers being either forded or crossed by antiquated ferries, making the marketing of products, except by water, difficult and expensive. With rare exceptions agricultural implements and methods harked back to the time of the Pharaohs, generation following generation with scarcely any appreciable innovations. The Philippines lay on a backwater, largely unknown and unknowing, their shores scarcely touched by the currents of progress sweeping the world outside their borders.

While Spaniards contributed many of their social graces to the Filipinos, and impressed various superficial phases of European life and thought upon the people at large, they did not or could not confer upon them the creative and artistic ability which is the heritage of Spanish peoples. A. R. Colquohoun, heretofore quoted, who travelled extensively in the Philippines following American occupation, refers to this fact as follows:

It is a curious fact that the chief glory of Spain, her preeminence in painting and sculpture, has found no echo in these islands; but the fact emphasizes what has been said as to the predominance of the Malay element. The Malays have not produced artists in any of the countries to which they have spread, and though at times they produce

pretty decorative work, it has little individuality and is usually copied from Chinese, Hindus, or whatever race has come in contact with them. Despite the wonderful carvings of the Hindu temples in Java, where the Malays reached their highest point in indigenous civilization, there is no such thing as native carving to be seen in that island. They have not even the desire to emulate what their Hindu conquerors had done.

This want of originality is so marked a feature of Filipino character that it is as though we ran our heads against a dead wall in Malay characteristics. The Malay has no creative ability. Ages ago he evolved his idea of a house, and that house can be seen now in any of the islands to which he has penetrated, always the same. The sameness of his musical instruments, his ornaments, his weapons, is remarkable, especially when we consider the wide range of Malay invasion and the lack of communication between the different islands over which that invasion spread.

The modifications induced in the race by a variety of climate and conditions have not affected the elemental characteristics of the Malay at all, and of these the most striking is his lack of initiative, the absence of that quality which marks certain men out and makes them heroes and leaders. To this universal mediocrity is no doubt due the very slight degree of civilization ever attained by the Malays without outside influence, and also their political inefficiency.

The Filipino is a product of the tropics, indolent, easygoing, and emotional. The rank and file lend themselves readily to the lightest impulse or influence, rendering it easy for a character of more than average force to exploit them in his own interest, or to secure a following for any idea or scheme however absurd or chimerical. They talk much but accomplish little, losing sight of practical things in chasing ideals and shadows. Their enthusiasm is easily aroused, but, lacking persistence, their interest has a tendency to die as quickly. They are imitative rather than constructive, and rarely excel as executives. There is no "mass" feeling, that is, concern as a community for the interests or sufferings of those outside the ken of their own immediate family or connections. Their

wants are few and simple, and when these are supplied there is a disposition to lie back until necessity spurs to further effort. They are provincial in character, and, with rare exceptions, are loath to leave their particular neighbourhood, however congested, and migrate to other parts. Gambling among them is a passion and its eradication difficult if not impossible. Along nearly every line of achievement or development, the Filipino illustrates the handicap of climate, heredity, and environment, and it is but now, under American sovereignty and protection, that his feet have been set upon the long road that leads to responsible citizenship.

It is possible, of course, to argue from particular instances that the foregoing analysis of Filipino character is altogether too sweeping in its limitations. What has been sought, however, is to summarize the various elements, racial, climatic, and otherwise, which have put their stamp upon the people as a whole, and which to-day affect the overwhelming majority in their industrial and political capacities. There have been and are many Filipinos who do not come within this general description, but they comprise a negligible percentage of the population, and will usually be found, upon investigation, to have a strain of foreign blood. It is to be said, on the other hand, that in their personal relations the Filipinos have many admirable and likable traits. They are extremely hospitable, and a stranger among them is seldom refused food and lodging. Children are treated affectionately and filial obedience is ingrained. Parents, in turn, are ambitious for their children, and there are few sacrifices they will not make on their behalf. The old and indigent are cared for by their relatives, while the status of women, as heretofore noted, is altogether commendable.

When dealing with concrete cases, Filipinos themselves realize and frankly admit the characteristics and limitations above recited. In 1917 and 1918 there was a large influx of Japanese to the province of Davao, Island of Mindanao, where conditions are peculiarly favourable for the growing of Manila hemp, then commanding war prices. A number of Americans also started plantations there, and considerable capital was invested. Few Filipinos took advantage of the situation, and these simply as day labourers. Referring to this situation, El Ideal, organ of the dominant political party in the Islands, commented as follows in its issue of October 8, 1918:

It is the Japanese and Americans who are able to see and take advantage of the opportunities offered by this intensely fertile region, and it is natural they should preponderate in such district. It would seem that we [Filipinos] prefer to assist passively at this partition of our islands, giving vent simply to protests, and throwing out occasionally the word patriotism. We imagine that in this manner we have complied with our patriotic duty, and have conjured the danger of the Japanization of Davao and other regions of Mindanao.

The saddest thing in connection with this Davao matter, however, is that it is typical. With but very rare exceptions we do not oppose other than resounding words and pompous phrases to the methodical efficiency of foreign elements, and then remain perfectly content, believing, ingenuously, that in this way we can insure our economic development.

The same paper, under date of March 7, 1918, after referring to the fact that more Japanese than Filipinos were migrating to Davao, stated:

In other terms, while we fill our mouths with words, patriotically declaiming against the Japanization of this great Island, we do absolutely nothing to overcome it. We need not be surprised, therefore, if, before we realize it, we will see the greater part of Mindanao entirely controlled by Japanese. Then all our protests, and all our patriotic fulminations, will be completely sterile.

Another Filipino paper, The Philippine National Weekly, dealing with Filipino pretensions, stated in its issue of December 1, 1917:

It seems that as to initiatives we are the happiest people. The moment has come, however, to be outspoken. We have plans, but we lack the vim to carry them out; words abound but deeds are scarce; flamboyant oratory is in vogue and overflows, but little, if anything, is accomplished. There is a wealth of illusions, not a grain of reality. The dreamers form a legion, yet but few or no plans are carried through.

It is to be noted that the strictures referred to above are not directed at the ignorant masses, who seldom enter into the equation when discussing Philippine affairs, but apply to the educated and "talking element" at the top, which pretends to leadership. The discouraging feature, however, is that the characteristics so graphically portrayed by these Filipino writers are racial ones, which neither declamation nor exhortation can overcome. They are inbred, and only the slow processes of time and evolution can change them.