Observations in Asia (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908. Excerpt: ... The Land Question in the Philippines THE gravest question with which the United States must deal in the Philippines is that of land ownership. In the past the monastic orders by fair or foul means got possession of the best land in the islands. The Filipino people now fear that American syndicates will buy out the friars and succeed them. The oppression incident to ecclesiastical control of land was largely responsible for the insurrection of 1896. The dread of new and more powerful landlords has been a large element in the opposition of Aguinaldo and his people to American rule. Many of the abuses connected with Spanish rule in the archipelago will disappear with the inevitable acceptance of American institutions. Habeas corpus, open instead of secret trials, the use of witnesses to substantiate bare accusations, the placing of the clergy under the operation of the civil law, will almost at a blow destroy the old Spanish tyrannies of a Church that is above the law, and of a State that is the servant of the Church. The religious question in the Philippines, under a just civil government will settle itself. In the future a Filipino can choose any religion he wants, or no religion, and need not fear molestation. Such is the theory and practice of American institutions. The land question will be more difficult to settle. The importance of the question can be best seen, perhaps, by considering in detail some of its elements. (1) Land titles in the Philippines are vague. (2) The great landowners are the monastic orders. (3) Landownership in Asia is a different matter from landownership in Europe. (4) The Filipino people are poor. (5) The Filipino people are careless of their own property rights, and must be protected against Western capitalists and others. (6)...