Compromise with Colonialism

Chapter 16

In 1899, the Schurman Commission initiated the non-military approach of American colonialism and succeeded in laying down the foundation of a subtle conquest of the Philippines.

a. In the Local LevelNegros Island – (1898) the division of inhabitants

between the political and economic elite and the peasants and workers

(November 1898) The elites organized a provisional government to get the American authorities to accept their offer of loyalty to American rule.

(February 1899) A committee of prominent landowners from Negros were welcomed by the military government.

(March 1, 1899) Gen. E. Otis created the Visayan Military district, with Gen. James F. Smith as Governor of Negros.

b. In the Central Government- Being a highly centralized government, those few occupying the top executive, legislative, and judicial positions exercised vast powers and influence in national affairs. (Examples: Gregorio Araneta and Benito Legarda)- Cayetano Arellano – the appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (with this, the Filipino elite was given a substantial role in the judiciary)

c. Why the Elite1) natural fear of losing the security of their interests (Cause: growing demand of the masses for the redistribution of economic benefits and resources)2) basic orientation of the elite (The elite felt distrust in the integrity and character of the masses whom the elite regarded as potential trouble makers, bandits, and enemies of what they represented in the society.)

a. In Mindanao- Americans were to make use of local datus and leaders to promote the need for social services (education and health) - Brig. Gen. John J. Pershing – Governor of the Moro Province - “The school system depends for its success entirely upon the American teachers, and although the Filipino teachers do excellent work under proper supervision, educational direction must for some time remain in the hands of the American teachers.”

b. In the Cordillera - the Americans were confronted by the many problems of the Filipino-American War which had brought the retreating forces of 200 Filipinos under Aguinaldo to the traditionally hostile Ifugao country.- (1902) the ground was prepared for the American colonial government to study the set-up in the Cordillera through Dr. David P. Barrows, head of the Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes.

b. In the Cordillera - (1903) Secretary of the Interior Worchester had gotten Dominga Atandada of Dullayan and Rafael Baluyunoan to accept American rule.- (1906) the entry of Lt. Jeff D. Gallman into Ifugao country saw the beginning of an era of peace among the Ifugaos and American rule spread throughout the Cordilleras.

c. Treaty Traps - (1899) Muslim leadership was already divided into those who opposed and those who accepted (but denied American sovereignty) American presence – this was stated in the Bates Treaty signed by Sultan Jamalul Kiram and Gen. John C. Bates (August 20, 1899)- the Patikul political leadership then supported the American rule with the agreement of Datu Kalbi and Datu Julkanain

c. Treaty Traps- the Bates Treaty- guaranteed peace between the Americans and Muslims in Sulu, characterized by mutual respect of the former with the latter’s personal property and other rights.- allowed the Americans to trade and engage in commerce- the right to fly their own flag- not having the Americans to interfere in the people’s internal affairs.

c. Treaty Traps- the Bates Treaty- the English version:- the establishment of American rule in Sulu- acceptance of American sovereignty by the Sultan and the datus

d. The Carpenter-Kiram Agreement, 1915- deprived the Sultan of all his political power and privilege. Instead, allowing him to exercise the rights and duties of a spiritual leader.- the Sultan though found it difficult to exercise spiritual influence without the political authority.

- (1912) the political climate in the US had changed – new president (Woodrow Wilson), new political orientation (Republican to Democratic)

- They did not want the Democratic ruling – the Republican leadership had kept the conservative tradition of American policies unaltered, particularly in the relation to colonial expansion.

- The acquirement and maintenance of overseas colonies were not dominant.- Possessions were maintained but the measure of control was lessen.

- (1913) Francis Burton Harrison, first Democratic Governor General for the Philippines- under his leadership, there occurred the change from mere theoretical to actual grant of substantial participation in the government to Filipinos.

- In the executive branch, change from an American to Filipino majority:

(1913) Philippine CommissionCivil Service (70% Filipino)(by 1921, only 6% American)

(1918) Council of State, Board of Control

- In the legislative branch:(1916) American-controlled, only the

Philippine Assembly was Filipino- the Philippine Assembly then

became the “lower house’, subordinate to the Philippine Commission, the “upper house”

- Jones Law: handed over to the Filipinos the legislative of the islands.

- Filipinization involved only the “upper crust” of Filipino society. (Filipino members of the Philippine Commission, Civil Service and others were from the landlord and capitalist families.)- Due to election laws (Requirements: must be able to read, write, are property owners, have been government employees during the Spanish period), the limited participation of the elite was already decided upon.

- The freedom of Filipino interests was limited by a quota system while that of American interests was absolutely free.

- The limitation to Filipino economic interests involved the volume and kind of export while no similar restriction was placed in American interest.

- The establishment of American liberal democracy as the new pattern of the Filipino way of life would bring about that confrontation between Filipino traditional ways and the new system.

- The American democratic style had found a distinct place in Filipino life.

- The American colonial administration would notice that only the form of democracy was in evidence. The essence of democracy had yet to be developed.

- The Filipino values continued to manifest their influence in the actual operation of the new democracy.

- In the end of the Harrison era, charges of Filipino incompetence in the bureaucracy, graft and corruption, and the Filipino’s unpreparedness for independence became the common basis of criticism against the Harrison administration.

- For Filipinos, Harrison’s term was the best as it was a demonstration of what trust could do to Filipino-American relations.