Compromise With Colonialism

COMPROMISE WITH COLONIALISM Successful suppression of revolutionary outbreak after the formal end of the Fil-Am war was enough reason for the Filipino elite to pursue the alternative of peaceful struggle. Involvement During the Military Phase, 1899-1913 1899, Schurman Commission --> also known as the First Philippine Commission -->the legislature of the Philippines, then known as the Philippine Islands under the sovereign control of the United States during the Philippine-American War. It was established by United States President William McKinley on January 20, 1899, and tasked to study the situation in the Philippines and make recommendations on how the U.S should proceed. --> five-person group headed by Dr. Jacob Schurman, president of Cornell University, to investigate conditions in the islands and make recommendations. Members: George Dewey Charles H. Denby Elwell S. Otis-military governor Jacob G. Schurman-head of the commission Dean C. Worcester In the report that they issued to the president the following year, the commissioners acknowledged Filipino aspirations for independence; they declared, however, that the Philippines was not ready for it. Specific recommendations included the establishment of civilian government as rapidly as possible (the American chief executive in the islands at that time was the military governor), including establishment of a bicameral legislature, autonomous governments on the provincial and municipal levels, and a system of free public elementary schools. The Christian Filipinos In the local level Negros Island-->as early as November 1899, they organized themselves into a provisional government clearly opposing Aguinaldo’s revolutionary movement. February 1899-->committee of prominent landowners from Negros were welcomed by the military government under Gen. E. Otis March 1, 1899-->Otis created the Visayan Military district with Gen James. F. Smith as governor of Negros. Negrense provincial junta-->useful ally of American against Malolos government, represented by Aguinaldo-appointed emissaries, Quintin Salas and Zoilo Mauricio, and the masses led by Dionisio Magbuela (“Papa Isio”) Baliwag, Bulacan-->first organized municipal government by the Schurman Commission In the Central Government Involvement of the Filipino elite or occupying the top executive, legislative and judicial positions exercised vast powers and influence international affairs.

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Gregorio Araneta and Benito Legarda--> appointed as members of the Philippine Commission which performed executive and legislative powers and functions. Cayetano Arellano-->appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. -->professor of law of Santo Tomas and top practising lawyer. -->believed in the sovereignty of the United States over the Philippines. Why the Elite Two basic reasons for the elite’s willingness to accept colonialism: 1. Natural fear of losing the security of their interests because of the growing demand of the masses for the redistribution of economic benefits and resources. 2. Basic orientation of the elite, which felt distrust in the integrity and character of the masses whom the elite regarded as trouble makers, bandits, and enemies of what they represented in the society. Cayetano Arellano & Trinidad Pardo de Tavera -->examples of condescending (arrogant) attitude toward Filipino masses. The Cultural Communities In cultural communities the Americans were also successful in coopting the ruling elite at the start of their rule. In tribal communities, American teachers and missionaries opened path to understanding the American benevolent (kind/giving/compassionate) rule through schools, religious missions, and medical work. In Mindanao -->part of American strategy to make use of local datus and leaders to promote the need for social services. The building of schools were undertaken under American supervision of course of native workers. Illustrated by Datu Santiago of Cotabato. Local leaders helped by setting personal examples of hygiene and proper sanitation. Education were emphasized. /*schools for the subanuns, the tausugs in sulu, & even the proposed Datu school in zamboanga were meantto prepare the ruling clas for active involvement in their own local areas. Brig. Gen. John Pershing( Governor of Moro Province)- he remarked “ the school system depends for its success entirely upon the American teachers, & although Filipino teachers do excellent work under proper supervision, educational direction must for some time remain in the hands of the American teachers. Dr. Nejeb M. Saleeby-->medical practitioner turned educator. > Christian Arab, gave him the advantage to deal with of the muslim in the moro province. > His knowledge of Arabic and islam provided him with a personal touch that enabled him to win lot of friends. Compromise with Colonialism Hand-Out

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His initial work as medical surgeon in Malabang, Lanao provided oppurtunties to win Ilanus( a muslim sub-ethic group)

In the Cordillera Americans were confronted by the many problems of the Filipino american war which had brought the retreating force of 200 filipinos under Aguinaldo to the traditionally hostile ifugao. Ifugao head-hunting activities were constant problems. American have impressive firepowers that impressed Ifugaos, reinforced by a practice of avoiding outright confiscation of food and resources and valuables and readiness to assist in rendering speedy justice in disputes and conflict. Conflict of two Ifugao group (Sabangan and Hapao), the American gun made the difference. Humiwat-leader of an Ifugao band, who beheaded an American soldier, surrendered and offered his cooperation in the American effort to establish a presence in the cordillera. 1902- Dr. David P. Barows (who became the head of the Bureau of NonChristian Tribes) study the set-up of Cordillera. 1903- The secretary of the interior Worcester had gotten Dominga Atandada of Dullayan and Rafael Baluyunoan to accept American rule. About 92 chiefs of the ifugao went to a conference to organize a gov’t in the ifugao area. Only the Nagacaran ifugaos boycotted the meeting. The Carpenter-Kiram Agreement Sultan Jamamul KIram and Governor Frank W. Carpenter March 22, 1915--> the agreement divested the Sultan all his political powers and privilege/right. He was only allowed to exercise the rights & duties of a spiritual leader. -->the agreement created problems for the Sultan. --> the condition of the agreement emphasized the total sovereignty of the United States over all the territory of the sultanate in all matters except in mattes of religion. Increase in Filipino Participation Political Change in the United States 1912--> new president Woodrow Wilson -->political change: from republican to democratic rule. Effects on Colony Change from republican to democratic brought changes in American expansionist policy. 1912 presidential election 1913-->Francis Burton Harrison, first Democratic governor general for the Philippines. -->the change from the mere theoretical to actual grant of substantial participation in the gov’t of the Filipinos. In executive branh, change to Filipino majority in the Phil . Commision(1913), Council of State (advisory body of the Chief executive)& Board of Control(regulated government participation in business corporation and firms)(1918). Civil service-70% Filipino by 1913 & 6% American by 1921. Compromise with Colonialism Hand-Out

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“Rapid Filipinization”- Harrison’s colonial policy was called. 1907-Philippine Assembly was created -->’lower house’ which is subordinate to Philippine Commission which serve s the ‘upper house’, & the Cabinet of the Governor-General. 1916- Jones Law was passed. -->legislative powers were given to the Filipinos. -->bicameral legislature was created composed of 24-member senate as the upper house & a House of Representatives as the house Chamber. All members were elected except the 2 senators from the non-christian sector were appointed by the Gov.Gen. Limits to Filipinization Restraints to Elitism -->Filipinization involved only the upper crust of Filipino society. Filipino member of the Philippine commission were from the landlord and capitalist families. Those who could run for office must be able to read and write, and must be property owners, or have been government employees during Spanish period. In effect, the election law is limited participation to the elite. The restriction of Filipino participation to the elite guaranteed the success of American colonial administration nevertheless the numerical dominance of the Filipinos in the government. Filipino elite showed positive role they could play and that Americans were ready to give them significant share of power, wealth and status in the islands. There were a lot of practical advantages the elite could get from the American colonial government compared to the zero offerings under Spanish rule. The compromise of Filipino leadership earned for the U.S the cooperation and loyalty of the Filipino elite. American readiness to give more to the Filipinos the administration of the bureaucracy except the highest executive post in the islands: the position of Secretary of Public Instruction and the positions controlling the finances such as the National Treasury, the Bureau of Customs, the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the local treasuries. The control of the sources of the revenues & their use was enough to neutralize any adverse effect of Filipinization on American control. American knew that aside from superior American control, economic control is basic to political control. Economic Limitation “free trade” provision of the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act of 1909 -->the exercise of freedom by the U.S & the Phil. was not equal. The freedom of Fil. interests was limited by a quota system while American interests were free. Underwood-Simmons Tariff Act- in 1913 abolished the quotas in the Phil. exports. Tydings-McDuffie Law-->the quotas were re-imposed. -->the partnership of Filipino and American interests were strengthened by the dependence of the Filipino land owning class on lucrative American markets for agricultutal exports. Social Effects of Filipinization Tradition vs. Modernism -->confrontation between Filipino traditional ways and the new system. Dichotomy of systems in which a democratic form and a traditional essence were welded to create a “Democracy Filipino sytle” American democratic style had found a distinct place in Filipino life. Compromise with Colonialism Hand-Out

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-->the essence of democracy has not been developed because Filipino values continued to manifest their influence in the actual operation of the new democracy. -->Reports of petty violations were noted like thieveries to bribery of employees. -->towards the end of Harrison Era changes of Filipino incompetence in the bureaucracy, graft and corruption, and the unpreparedness of the Filipinos for independence, hence became the common basis for criticism against the administration of Harrison. -->but to the Filipinos, Harrison’s term was the best because it was a demonstration of what trust could do to Filipino-American relations.

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