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C   Reprinted from The Journal of Race Development,
Vol. 3, No. 4, April, 1913
NOTES FROM THE PHILIPPINES
By James A. Robertson, L.H.D., Librarian of the Philippine
Library, Manila, P. I.
Considered with relation to race development, the Philippine Islands offer at the present time one of the most interesting and valuable fields of study in the world. For here,
within the last dozen years, have been set in motion new
forces, or new directions given to old forces, the outcome of
which is still problematical, and of the efficacy of which there
is still honest doubt in many quarters. There is a seething
of the pot of humanity here such as was never before known
in this archipelago, and indeed in not many places in the
orient. The ferment of a powerful leaven has begun its
work, and these islands are passing through a period to them
never before equalled in intensity.
The importance, direction, and effects of the struggle it
were easy enough to exaggerate and overrate, or even to mistake. We Americans are rather prone to look upon our work
and pronounce it good, and to regard our own customs and
institutions as the best in the world, being in this respect not
unlike the Chinese. This characteristic has arisen in great
part from optimism bread up under peculiar pioneer conditions. To those who criticise the course of the United States
in the Islands (leaving aside the question of right of occupancy about which many good men cannot agree), and find
fault because the colonizing policy of no other nation (especially that of Great Britain) has been followed in its entirety,
it is sufficient to point to this pioneer record. Viewed in
that light, the course followed here could riot have been
different.
It must be recognized that in part the changed conditions
here are the logical result of forces first set in motion noticeably near the opening of the nineteenth century with the
467




468              JAMES A. ROBERTSON
coming to the Philippines of Spaniards of advanced ideas,
plus various other factors of that century, such as better
methods of communication, the travel and study of Filipino youth in Europe, and better opportunities for education
here. It must also be recognized that some institutions in
the Philippines regarded by many as quite new had their
parallel in very early Spanish days. The efficacy and formative value of such factors at the present time lies not in
their newness, but in their direction and dynamic force.
Considered with respect to the Filipino, the efforts being
expended here are of value only to the degree that they tend
toward his material, mental, and spiritual welfare and
advancement. If they make him more efficient in his threefold development; if through them he becomes more fit
to compete with other peoples: the equation is plus. If,
on the contrary, nothing of a positive value is added to him,
then the American experiment must be called a failure, or
it must be said that the Filipino is incapable of advance.
Failure is not yet announced, and most certainly the Filipino, as history distinctly shows, is not irresponsive to opportunity. It is, in a sense, somewhat arrogant to speak of one
people as uplifting another. There has been much useless
and insipid vaporing about "the white man's burden,"
as if the white man had a monopoly on everything that is
good and desirable. Paternalism in government is still
perhaps too plainly apparent. The progress of any people,
to be real and lasting, must be the seizing of opportunity,
and the assimilation of the good that is offered by that opportunity. To the degree that opportunity arises from the
people themselves, so much the more rapid and solid must
be the ultimate advance. The placing of opportunity by
one people before another, where it has not risen from the
people themselves, constitutes the only "burden" or mission
of one people to another, and who shall say that in the placing of it a corresponding opportunity is not grasped, or a
distinct character-growth made?
Touching the Philippines various questions naturally
arise. How far are the American ideals applicable to, or
desirable for, the Filipino? Is the result to be merely a




NOTES FROM THE PHILIPPINES


469


veneer, or will something really substantial be added to the
Filipino nature and character? Can three centuries of
Spanish possession, during which Spanish ideals were inculcated to a certain extent, be overcome; and if so, is it desirable? Is the American talk of progress only egotistical
bombast? Must there not be a mutual benefit to character
in the communication between peoples? How far should
assimilation or contact go? What is the effect of racial
feeling or racial difference?
No attempt will be made to anwer these questions directly
or many others that present themselves. It is possible that
an answer to some of them may be suggested in the following pages. We are not especially concerned with those
abstract questions that have puzzled many honest men.
We are confronted with the single fact of American occupancy of the Philippines, and American efforts here; and
this paper concerns itself with the bare recital of some of the
things that are being attempted and done which have within
themselves the possibilities of racial improvement.
I shall restrict myself quite narrowly to the Filipinos
proper, and shall not touch at all upon the Negritos, wild
Malayan tribes, or Moros. By the term "Filipinos" is to
be understood the descendants of the eight divisions or
peoples who were Christianized (at least nominally) by the
Spaniards. A Malayan people, they resemble, more or
less closely, in character and language, the peoples of the
Malay Peninsula, Java, Sumatra, and other islands. The
Filipinos, however, of all oriental tropical peoples, stand in a
class by themselves, for they are the only large body of
tropical people who have been Christianized in modern
times, and who have very largely (although somewhat
imperfectly) adopted Christian standards and ideals. For
over three centuries they have had contact with an occidental
nation (although it is true that the Spaniards are themselves
tinged with orientalism), and the effect of that contact distinguishes them very largely from all other races of the
orient; for this contact, especially as regards religion, was
so intimate that it reached into nearly every act of their
daily life; while Spanish blood is diffused to a very large






470


JAMES A. ROBERTSON


extent throughout the archipelago. Yet one must not
make the mistake of supposing that racial characteristics
have been lost and that the Filipino is a Spaniard in all but
birth. His characteristics are as pronounced today as when
the Spaniards first arrived; and this forms one of the chief
hopes for the greater future of the race. It has been remarked by a competent observer, the late James A. LeRoy,
that the Filipino is virgin material ready to be worked upon,
so little real impress did the Spanish contact make. This
refers more especially to the tao or peasant class, and to the
people of the remoter districts. Many Filipinos and others
have had much to say about the so-called Filipino soul, by
which is to be understood those qualities that are peculiarly
Filipino. The best production has come from the eminent
Spanish-Filipino scholar, Dr. Pardo de Tavera, who disclaims any especial monopoly of soul life for the Filipinos, beyond that which will allow them to take and assimilate the best wherever and however they might acquire it;
and that those who fear lest the Filipino lose any of his
characteristics that make for good and permanence may
rest easy.
In the matters to be mentioned below in which the elements of race development may be seen, one very striking
fact is discernible, namely, that in no case has the seed sown
been due to native initiative. In each the force has been
supplied by the governing or other outside people. Advance made before the American occupation was due in
general to the Chinese or Spaniards. That of today is
largely due to the American. Rizal, the greatet man produced by the Malay race, was over one-half Chinese. His
education was largely European or western, and the ideals
that he sought to implant or encourage were for the most
part European or western. The very field of education,
in which the Filipino shows his keenest interest, perhaps, is
a striking proof of this. Whether in time a distinct initiative force can be supplied by the people themselves, and one
that will be sufficient unto itself in moments of crisis and
uncertainty, cannot yet be asserted. This lack of initiative is not necessarily a Filipino trait. It is well known that








NOTES FROM THE PHILIPPINES


471


the Spanish government, neither on its temporal nor its
spiritual side, consciously encouraged the exercise of initiative, and that innovation in any form was frowned upon.
Consequently, there is something in the argument which
claims that the Filipino has hidden his true character and
covered his real life with a true oriental impassiveness.
To endow this people with the power of effective initiative
for growth and progress-that is the self-imposed task of
Americans here in the Philippines, and the latter nation
would be untrue to itself if it hesitated or turned its back
upon the work before it in these islands which came under
its care by the most fortuitous of accidents. When the day
comes on which it can be said that the task has been completed, then can the Filipinos, if they care for it, achieve
their political independence and take their place among the
nations of the world. And for this end the Filipinos must
work even harder and more willingly than the Americans.'
In the following notes, some of the influences that are
being thrown about the new Filipinos, and which contain
possibilities for racial improvement will be discussed. Accordingly, it will be necessary to mention the educational,
public-improvement, and health factors, although all three
have been already treated in this JOURNAL.
EDUCATION
Public schools
Spain established public schools in the Philippines in the
nineteenth century, but outside of Manila, they could scarcely
be said to exist, and were, moreover, almost completely
dominated by the ecclesiastical influence. Still Spain did
honestly try to give to these Islands some real education,
although the conditions of society both in the Peninsula
and in the Philippines prevented the efforts from having
the result that was to be desired.
Almost coeval with American occupancy, public schools
modeled on the American system were established. Quite
1 This was written before the Jones' bill was introduced into Congress.




472


JAMES A. ROBERTSON


naturally there have been mistakes, but progress is spelt
by those very mistakes; and there will be other mistakes, for
which God be thanked, if they teach the lesson to be learned
from them. But there has been continuous progress from
the beginning, and that is a good augury for the future.
The first generation of Filipino youth trained by the American system and by American teachers is almost ready to step
into the ranks and to take its proper place in the evolution
of Filipino society. The importance of this must not
be overlooked. It means that American ideals are permeating the rank and file of Filipino life, and are having a part
in the shaping of future generations, although one must
recognize that it is easy to be deceived as to the extent of
their influence. There is an increase in many qualities that
Americans consider desirable-straightforwardness, frankness, and self-control. No attempt is being made to refashion the Filipinos into Americans, but the government is
endeavoring to make good Filipinos by giving them the dynamic force that comes from the best American ideals, while
still preserving to them their best Filipino ideals.
The majority of the Filipinos have entered heartily into
the educational plan. Indeed the desire for education is
one of the most noticeable of their characteristics; and in
general all Filipino legislators stand committed to the educational ideal. Regularity of attendance in the schools is
constantly being pushed and is becoming an important factor, and this means an increase in efficiency to both pupil and
teacher. New schools are being opened as rapidly as possible, but the greater stress is being laid on thoroughness and
permanence in those schools now open. It is to be regretted
that some schools have been closed recently because of lack
of funds.
The actual work of teaching is entrusted to a corps of over
8000 Filipino and of almost 700 American teachers, and all
teaching, incredible as it may seem, is in English. In itself,
this fact is of great importance, for the Philippines with
their many dialects have never had a common medium of
communication. The Spanish language never penetrated the
masses in the more than three centuries of Spanish domina



NOTES FROM THE PHILIPPINES


473


tion as much as has the English in less than a decade and a
half. In each village the children greet the American in his
own language, and many of the older generation are anxious
to show that they know some English, although it must be
admitted that the brand is often very poor.
Special stress is being laid on industrial training, for it
tI    has been seen that pure classical training is out of place here
in the majority of the schools. The Filipino has long been
famous for his manual dexterity, and with proper training
this can be turned to rich account. One is continually
surprised as he examines the industrial and manual training
exhibits of the schools at the annual Manila carnival. One
commercial school has been established with good results.
The high and normal schools and the university enable
those attending them to reach the higher education. The
dominant idea throughout is to prepare the Filipino youth
for the life which he must fill, but not to close the door to
something higher if he has the stamina and courage to reach
out and grasp any opportunity that may be offered him.
The total result is a distinct and lasting element for racial
improvement. The change has been so great that it has led
foreigners who have lived in the islands for many years,
during both the Spanish and American r6gimes, to note it
and commend it and this is of greater value than if the
praise came from Americans. The American teacher in the
Philippines has by his unselfish labors and by his generally
very moral conduct, gained the confidence of the Filipino
to an amazing degree. From one end of the islands to the
other the American teacher is welcome and is trusted. It is
true that many parents still prefer to send their children to
private and religious schools, especially the ilustrado or upper
class. Yet the spirit of the public schools is making its
entrance even into such institutions and their usefulness is
expanding daily.
The public schools are exerting considerable force toward
the growth of democracy here, the formation of a true
middle class, and a realization of the dignity of labor. The
permanent school buildings that have been constructed are
serving as models for better and more permanent dwelling




474              JAMES A. ROBERTSON
houses. The small garden plots cultivated by the pupils
as a part of their work are likewise serving as models for
cultivation by the adults at their homes. Influences are
exerted in continually new and unexpected directions, and
it can be confidently asserted, with no fear of contradiction,
that if (notwithstanding what often seems slow progress)
American occupancy were to end tomorrow, the impulse
given by the American teachers of the public schools would
persist.
The University of the Philippines
As its name indicates the University of the Philippines
is a government institution. It was created by the legislative act of June 18, 1908, with the avowed purpose of giving
higher instruction in literature, philosophy, the sciences and
arts, and technical and professional education. An important provision is that no one may be barred from entrance
because of age, sex, nationality, religious belief, or political
affiliation. The university comprises the colleges of liberal
arts, law, medicine and surgery, veterinary medicine, agriculture, and fine arts. The faculties are composed of both
Americans and Filipinos, with the exception of the last which
consists of Filipinos and Spaniards. This is the first year in
which it can be said that the university has fulfilled its function on a real university basis, notwithstanding that the first
university commencement was held in March 1911.
The first president of the university was formally inducted
into office on December 20, 1911, with appropriate and dignified services. In his address the president emphasized
the three necessary elements that must be united in each
member of a university faculty: teaching, original investigation, and living. Efficiency in both faculty and students
is the primary end sought in a university, and this the president declared to be the end that would be sought in the
University of the Philippines. The work of the university
will bear fruit in the men and women trained therein and
they will serve their country in many ways in its upward
march toward the larger and freer life-in politics, in teaching, in the professions, and in other spheres.




NOTES FROM THE PHILIPPINES           475
Manila has long had a university, that of the Dominican
Order, Santo Tomds, which last year celebrated its tercentenary. An attempt was made by the Spanish government to found a secular university here in the eighteenth
century, but failure resulted. The University of the Philippines is, in a sense, its successor. There is room here for
both universities in Manila, and both cannot fail to have a
great future if they give the broad training that is necessary
to fit the Filipinos for a life of service and usefulness. The
University of Santo Tomis has been one of the elements in
the civilizing of the Filipino, and it is still a great factor in
the educational life here. The government has wisely
adopted a standard to which all educational institutions
must conform in order to receive recognition by the University of the Philippines, and this is productive of much good.
A healthy competition between the two universities will
redound to the benefit of the Filipinos and their country.
The new university has as wonderful a life to live and as
great service to perform as any of the state universities of
the United States which are having so large a share in the
raising of the level of the average.
The Philippine Library
The third great factor in education, strictly considered as
such, may be said to be the public library. The Philippine
Library, although yet in its infancy, is to the Philippine
Islands what the Library of Congress is to the United States.
This library was created by the Philippine legislature by
virtue of act no. 1935 enacted May 20, 1909. By that
act, all existing collections of books wherever located,
that belong to the insular government were consolidated into
one library. The institution is thus unique as to organization. The nucleus of the consolidation was the former
American Circulating Library of Manila, which was founded
privately in 1900 as a memorial to those American soldiers
and sailors who lost their lives in the Philippines. Both
the work and expense proved too heavy, however, for the
Association, and the following year it was transferred first






476


JAMES A. ROBERTSON


to the military and later to the civil government, with the
proviso that the name was not to be changed and that
the work among the soldiers and sailors was to be continued.
Considerable aid was sent to the library by interested friends
and societies in the United States. In 1905 it became a
division of the bureau of education and was so maintained
until the adoption of the act above mentioned, which was
given full force on July 1, 1910. It is known now as the
circulating division (American Circulating Library), of the
Philippine Library, thus preserving its name, while its distinctive service to soldiers and sailors is still maintained
and is even performed with greater facilities. The general
collection of books of this division is rapidly growing and
now numbers over 25,000 volumes in active use. Its books
cover a wide range of interests, chief among which, in addition to the necessary fiction, are the so-called social sciences.
The Filipiniana division is one of the most interesting
collections to be found anywhere. It owes its inception
very largely to Dr. David P. Barrows, formerly director of
the bureau of education here, who set aside some books of
Spanish government collections and some especially purchased as a section of the American Circulating Library.
Its greatest growth has come since the consolidation and its
creation as a distinct division. It now possesses much of
the rarest and most valuable of Filipiniana, while not a few
of its pieces are, so far as known, unique. By the recent
purchase of the private collection of Dr. Jos6 Rizal, and the
Filipiniana collections of Mr. James A. LeRoy, Prof. Clemente J. Zulueta, and Dr. T. H. Pardo de Tavera, and the transfer of books from the executive bureau, this division can
boast the largest collection of printed Filipinana in existence.
The two divisions above mentioned are housed together:
the former has both American and Filipino attendants,
while the latter has only Filipinos. They have but recently
occupied the new quarters assigned to the library in a government building, and with more space at their disposal, have
entered upon a new and larger life. In this building two






NOTES FROM THE PHILIPPINES


477


more divisions are being developed, namely, the public documents and the periodical divisions.
The science division of the library is located in the Bureau
of Science Building. This division has risen from various
small collections of books that began to be formed almost as
soon as the bureau of government laboratories (the former
name of the bureau of science) was created. These small
collections were gradually consolidated into one and special
rooms were devoted to their housing. The collection has
expanded until now it contains more than forty thousand
volumes, (most of which are in active use), and is in many
respects the best scientific collection in the orient.
The law division of the library is divided into two sections,
that of the supreme court and that of the attorney-general.
These will naturally be consolidated into one collection whenever a special building is constructed for the courts. The
books consist of reports, digests, treatises, and textbooks.
The small collection of the Philippine assembly is devoted
in great part to books on legislation and parliamentary
matters. Conspicuous on its shelves is the collection of
Felipe G. Calderon, one of Manila's brightest young native
lawyers who was stricken by death at the time of his greatest
usefulness.
Lastly, each bureau possesses a collection of such books
as are necessary for its work. The most noteworthy of such
collections are those of the bureaus of agriculture, education,
public works, and customs. In the various divisions and
minor collections the Philippine Library contains considerably more than 100,000 volumes. As rapidly as possible
the titles of all these works are being gathered into a central
catalogue for the convenience of readers and investigators.
This catalogue will eventually contain, not only the titles
of all government-owned books but as well those of semipublic and private collections, in order that one may tell
at a glance exactly what can be secured in Manila in any
line of research. Thus there is an opportunity to make of
the Philippine Library an institution second to none in the
orient in point of usefulness. A room has been set aside in




478


JAMES A. ROBERTSON


the new quarters exclusively for the use of investigators, in
which they may have books reserved for their special studies.
As an educative factor among the people, the influence of
the library cannot be overestimated. This is true to a much
greater extent than in the United States. It is an inspiring
sight to see the numbers of young men and women who
resort thither daily for purposes of reading and study.
These are mainly the younger generation among the Filipinos whom the library is reaching, those in the public schools
and in the university: it must be admitted that the pupils of
private schools do not yet appreciate the value of the library
so fully as the former. The teachers of the public schools
throughout the archipelago are allowed free cards to the
circulating division (for various reasons a small fee of five
pesos annually is charged), and books of all sorts are constantly being sent to both American and Filipino teachers,
with the far-reaching benefits that can be readily understood.
The library acts, therefore, as a powerful aid in the spread
of the English language throughout the islands and in this
regard is a worthy competitor of the public schools. It
reaches many people not in the schools, and is slowly but
surely doing its part in the education of the masses, and
consequently is not a small factor in the racial improvement
of the Filipino.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
After the Spanish conquest of the Philippines, certain
public improvements were carried on by the central government, but without any continuous and well established
system. The first public improvements were somewhat of
a negative character, being for the most part fortifications
and other military works, and shipbuilding, and generally
for these the labor employed was forced. Under the direct
supervision of the central government in the nineteenth
century some remarkably good roads were constructed and
various other public works were carried on. But the little
that was done, while exceedingly useful and practical, was
a mere beginning and served as an object lesson of the
great need for systematic efforts. The friars and the Jesuits




NOTES FROM THE PHILIPPINES


479


also made many improvements on their estates and in the
villages and districts administered by them, although there
was the same lack of system, and generally of practical and
technical knowledge. Their work, however, served and
still serves useful purposes. They were carried on for the
most part under the same labor conditions as the government work. The "Economic Society of Friends of the
Country," during its two periods of existence in the eighteenth and nineteenth century, encouraged and advocated
public improvements with some little success, although its
resources were never sufficient to accomplish much. All the
improvements effected through these various agencies,
although imperfect and slight, yet tended to develop the
country by rendering communication easier, by providing
better facilities for transportation, and by a general economic
advance.
The program of public improvements for the Islands has
grown steadily since American occupation; and is one that
is proving, and will prove, far-reaching in its results. The
government is fully alive to the importance of the development of the country through public improvement; and what
is of far more consequence the people as a whole are coming
to understand more clearly the efficacy of good roads, of
navigable rivers, of good harbors, of irrigation, of parks and
public playgrounds, and of abundance of pure drinking
water. For the first time in the history of the islands systematic efforts have been inaugurated, and have been productive of good results.
In the brief period of American occupation, much has been
done, but that is no reason for special self congratulation.
Much more remains to be done. Only by means of good
roads in all parts, by good canals and other water ways, by
an efficient method of irrigation, and by other public improvements that will open up the country so that the wonderful productive climate and soil of these islands may be used
to advantage, will the Philippines be able to assume their
proper place and, like Java, become a garden of the orient.
But all improvements must be undertaken with due regard
to the revenues of the islands, or the extent to which bonds




480             JAMES A. ROBERTSON
may be safely issued. The Philippines, while potentially
an extremely rich country, have not yet advanced to that
economic affluence that renders possible the fullest public
improvements. Each public improvement, however, brings
nearer the time when this can be done.
The effect of public improvements on race development is
obvious. By means of the material something is achieved
in the realm of the mental and moral that creates a higher
standard and ideal. This is what is happening here. It is
no tale of sordid commercialism. The Filipino is raising
his standard daily and the public improvements now being
carried on form one of the factors. He may or may not be
as happy as under the old r6gime. Indeed he is being
touched with a very healthful discontent that is leading
him to grasp at opportunity and to assume a greater direct
responsibility.
HEALTH AND SANITATION
The orient offers a large and interesting field for the health
movement, and of the orient, no section is more interesting
or more important than the Philippines. The problems to
be met here and the tasks to be accomplished are in general
those of other tropical countries of the Far East, with this
difference, that the comparatively limited extent (notwithstanding the number of islands) and population of the Philippines lend a greater element of hopefulness toward the
solution and the fulfilment of them.
During the Spanish r6gime considerable attention was
directed to the cure and prevention of epidemic diseasemore especially by vaccination against smallpox which had
long been endemic here, and which was always a serious
menace. The municipal board of health in Manila accomplished some work worthy of mention, although the board
met continual discouragement from lack of funds and of
interest. Health efforts were mainly restricted to Manila
and to several other centers, while the provinces at large
suffered a great neglect. Reputable physicians were few
and but seldom found in the provinces. Quacks, inade



NOTES FROM THE PHILIPPINES


481


quately trained physicians (so-called, and often men who had
obtained some little smattering of medicine in Manila, and
some of whom were unable to pass their medical examinations) and apprentices with some superior intelligence and
rudimentary training were commonly found in the provinces.
In the provinces also the local priests (usually friars) often
rendered what assistance lay in their power (and this was
sometimes considerable), although the majority of them were
wont to rely on the miraculous cures effected by the use of
holy water. The quacks and apprentices have had much to
answer for here in the matter of questionable and even criminal practices; but in most districts they were the only recourse outside of the self-administered home remedies of the
people. Those remedies, too often indeed, consisted of a
superstitious belief in the efficacy of certain observances and
so-called cures, which are comparable, though much more
common, to some superstitions still found among ignorant
and credulous people in some parts of the United States.
Much credit is due the hospitals for the work carried on by
them. They were located, for the most part, in the large
centers, the most important ones, being, of course, in Manila,
and were usually in charge of religious persons. The Hospital Order of St. John of God labored with rare fidelity,
and together with the secular Brotherhood of Mercy, was
able to alleviate much suffering. The Economic Society of
Friends of the Country also extended its many-sided labors
for the betterment of medical practice during its short life.
But one and all of these agencies were lacking in systematic
effort. The principles of sanitation especially appear not to
have been understood or to have been disregarded, and no
effort of any moment was exerted toward the dissemination
of hygienic and sanitary knowledge among the people.
Given such antecedent conditions the need for health
measures and for systematic effort were naturally apparent
at the very beginning of American occupation. The military and later the civil authorities were not slow in bending
their best energies to the formidable task. The work of the
board of health and of its successor, the bureau, cannot be
given here in anything like the detail it merits, for the activiTHE JOURNAL OF RACE DEVELOPMENT, VOL. 3, NO. 4, 1913




482


JAMES A. ROBERTSON


ties of the health movement have continually broadened
and extended along many different lines, the ramifications
of which reach to many of the acts of every-day life.2 A
peculiar disadvantage has been experienced because the people, as might well be imagined, have not understood the
reasons for the existence of the health department and the
necessity for its action. Its measures have often appeared
drastic and an invasion of the private sanctity of the home,
and on this account, as well as because of the ignorance of
the common people progress has been hampered. Little
by little, however, active hostility has lessened, and the
people are daily coming to appreciate health and sanitation
measures more nearly at their real value. Information has
been disseminated by means of various publications, such
as bulletins, circulars, and careful instructions and rules,
and by means of health talks. These have been published
and given in English, Spanish, and various of the native
languages in order that they might reach as many of the
people as possible. Personal contact and example are elements of strength in the health propaganda, and more has
often been and is being accomplished by subtle suggestion
than would be possible by direct force. The Roman Catholic Church and the bureau of education are aiding very materially by their hearty cooperation in the health movement.
Such a simple thing as the introduction of the use of knife,
fork and spoon bring large results.
One of the most important movements that has grown out
of the efforts of the health authorities is the active antituberculosis crusade now being waged. Tuberculosis is
rampant throughout the lowlands of the Philippines where
the moist climate is fit breeding place for this disease; but
far more disastrous than the climate is the ignorance of the
vast majority of Filipinos in the simplest matters of everyday living. The Filipino house or hut is really of sanitary
construction. It is rendered a deathtrap by the careful
exclusion of all night air during sleeping hours, as well as
by overcrowding. It is by no means uncommon to see a
2 See Dr. Heiser's article "Sanitation in the Philippines," in the October
number of this JOURNAL.




NOTES FROM THE PHILIPPINES


483


whole family sleeping in a single room. Squalor and filth
are the normal condition about many of the houses of the
tao or peasant class. The custom of building clusters of
huts indiscriminately together within one enclosure with
inadequate entrance into the grounds from the exterior
makes the accumulation of filth the more offensive and festering, and the overcrowding the more deadly. This neglect
by the Filipino of conditions outside his house is an anachromism of his character, for he is generally scrupulously
neat and cleanly about his person and clothing. American
methods of living and the teaching of the public schools are
having their effect on the sleeping customs and surroundings
of the people, and in many places a decided improvement is
to be noted, some villages presenting a pleasing contrast to
others in this regard.
The struggle against this disease is being carried on chiefly
by the Philippine Islands Anti-tuberculosisSociety. This
Society was established largely through the efforts of several
Americans and Filipinos, and enjoys the hearty support and
cooperation of the government, and in fact is so closely identified with the government that it is almost a government
institution, at least in its management. It was incorporated
July 10, 1910, and has acquired a very respectable membership, both among Americans and Filipinos, the nominal
annual membership fee of two pesos not being prohibitive
to anyone who is sincerely interested in the work. The
government has loaned to the Society the grounds about the
old water reservoir at San Juan del Monte just on the outskirts of Manila, for use as a sanitarium, while the legislature at its last session allotted the sum of 50,000 pesos to
aid in the crusade. A Filipino physician is in charge of the
sanitarium, and treatment is largely by the open-air method.
About two score open-air cottages have been constructed by
the Society, the government, and by interested business
firms and private individuals. Free dispensaries and clinics
have been established in various congested districts of Manila, each of which is in charge of a competent physician.
Branch societies have been established in Iloilo, Cebu,
Zamboanga, and Dumaguete.




484


JAMES A. ROBERTSON


All this is making an impress in the right direction. It
cannot be said that tuberculosis has been lessened as yet,
but some cases have been arrested. There is an earnestness
back of the work that carries weight, and the ideas that the
society is trying to propagate are daily gaining ground.
The fact that the best people among the Filipinos are interested in the movement gives hope of speedier positive results.
The natives of their own accord are having recourse to the
sanitarium, dispensaries, and clinics for treatment and medicines, and are losing their deep-seated dread of such institutions. This in turn in lessening the oriental passiveness and
fatalism that afflicts to a certain degree the Filipinos in common with all other peoples of the east.
The Philippine Medical School, now a part of the University and known as the College of Medicine and Surgery is
a remarkably well equipped institution and is giving an upto-date medical training to many young men and some young
women. The far-reaching effects that the college must
exert are apparent. The health of the Philippines and the
freeing of the people from ignorance and superstition in
regard to their bodies must in great part fall on the young
men and women trained by it. It is they who must take up
the vast work that is awaiting in the provinces. From the
enthusiastic testimony of their instructors, the students
are justifying their training and compare well with those of
other countries. The real test of their capacity will come
when they are thrown upon their own resources in places
remote from all other help where quick and sane decision
is a matter of life and death; and in the spirit of helpfulness
and sympathy with which they go about their life-saving
work.
Clinics are provided for the students of the college at the
Philippine General Hospital, a government institution, as
well as at the University and St. Paul's Hospitals, the first
an Episcopal and the second a Roman Catholic institution.
The first-named ranks among the hospitals of the world
in its equipment and free clinic. The great majority of
patients who seek admission to the hospital and the free
clinic are Filipinos, and inquiries and requests are con



NOTES FROM THE PHILIPPINES


485


stantly being received by mail, all of which is eloquent
testimony of the confidence which is placed in it. The other
two hospitals, although less well equipped, do not lag behind
in the earnestness and thoroughness of their work.
Hand in hand with the making of physicians and surgeons
goes the training of nurses, and this training is being given
in each of the hospitals. Several classes have already graduated from each institution and have gone out into active
service. The nurses have demonstrated their usefulness.
The young Filipina women especially make excellent nurses,
and will in due time share with Filipino physicians the health
education of the provinces. One who has never been in the
islands can scarcely appreciate what it means for a young
Filipina woman to dedicate herself to the profession of
nursing. The old Spanish education for women was along
quite other lines. It required considerable courage for the
pioneers to enter the nursing courses. They have shown
fitness, gentleness, and enthusiasm for their tasks, and have
met the conditions imposed with the highest of resolution.
It is charged by some that both the Filipino physicians and
surgeons have a tendency to lose their heads in moments of
crisis when they must show their resourcefulness and depend
entirely on themselves. I cannot attest the truth or falsity
of this charge, but it would prove no wonder were there some
element of truth in it. The Spanish training here, unfortunately, did not make for self-reliance, initiative, and
resourcefulness.
The great infant mortality of the Philippines is most
serious and is due in large measure to insufficient care and
nourishment. The Filipino is fond of his children, and
Filipino families live a happy united life, and as a rule get
far more enjoyment than do Americans, but the greatest
of ignorance prevails in regard to the proper care of infants.
The Filipina mother, often for want of proper nourishment
herself, is unable to suckle her child, and it is no uncommon
sight to see a child of a few days fed on rice or bananas.
The lack of proper diet is but one of the directions taken by
the general ignorance of the Filipinos in the rearing of their
offspring. The result is a fearful infant mortality. Over






486


JAMES A. ROBERTSON


one-half the deaths are of children less than one year old.
The bureau of health early turned its attention to this matter,
but it is one of the most difficult things in the islands to
handle. After all these years the best that can be said is
that signs of advance are just dimly to be discerned. Care
of the mother during pregnancy, and of mother and child
at birth is being urged. The ignorance and malpractice
of so-called midwives have caused much suffering and calamity, and has led to the establishment of courses for the training of midwives. The infant mortality and ignorance in
child rearing among the poorer classes in the large cities in
the United States offer no true parallel to conditions here,
where both are extreme. Advance in this most vital of
tasks will be painfully slow and uncertain. As in many
other directions the brunt of the efforts expended must fall
upon the Filipino physicians and nurses.
Much aid in this work is being given by the society known
as the Gota de Leche (Drop of Milk). This Society was
founded in December 1906, by Americans and Filipinos, Dr.
David J. Doherty, of Chicago, being its most prominent
founder, and is now managed almost wholly, if not wholly,
by Filipina women. The Society provides clean, pure milk
for the feeding of infants, and in addition, instructs Filipina
mothers in the diet and care of their infants, and the necessity for the greatest of cleanliness in all that pertains to home
life. But after all this Society, it must be confessed, does
not reach a very large per cent of the people for whom it is
intended.
Yet one other element remains to be mentioned herethat of exercise and sport-which is making rapidly for race
improvement. In all parts of the archipelago, the Filipino
boy (and in the schools, the Filipina girl) is taking, as if by
magic, to the idea of outdoor sport. Baseball, basketball,
volleyball, tennis, and all the field sports to be witnessed at
home in any of the college meets, are now a fully recognized
part of child and adolescent life among Filipinos. The
Filipino of the future will bring to his work more stamina,
and a better physical machine on account of the enthusiasm
with which he is taking to sport. Fairness, give and take,






NOTES FROM THE PHILIPPINES


487


readiness, are all being developed by this. The child life and
adolescent period of the Filipinos are being enriched beyond
all conception by their capacity for adopting these outdoor
sports. This is really one of the most striking things to be
seen in the Philippines today, and its effect will be proportionate to its healthy development.
AGRICULTURE
The wealth of these islands is chiefly agricultural. Here
lies the only source of supply for the world's abacd, commonly
called "Manila hemp."  The fiber wealth, apart from abaca,
is considerable, rattans, various grasses, and other fibers
abounding in great variety. Incredible as it may seem, over
one thousand varieties of rice are grown here, and about
thirty species of banana. Tobacco, sugar, cocoanuts, and
hosts of fine fruits and vegetables thrive here. In short,
the values of the land products of the Philippines, expressed
in dollars and cents, fills up the greater part of the ledger of
trade and operations.
Yet notwithstanding this, there is vast room for improvement. These islands can be made in cultivable area as
productive as the great garden of Java. The immediate
branch of the government concerned most intimately with the
development of these agricultural interests is the Bureau of
Agriculture, which is placed rightly (until perhaps a new
department of government be formed) under the department
of public instruction. However, closely connected with this
development is the work of the bureau of public works in
irrigation, and better methods of communication and transportation.
The work of the bureau of agriculture is two-fold-first,
experimental, and second, purely instructive. By means of
the first it is raising the value of the soil products through
practical investigation carried on at its experimental stations and farms. By means of the second it is reaching the
people directly and showing the farmers how to raise more
and better crops by better, cheaper, and more careful
methods of cultivation. The operations of the bureau




488


JAMES A. ROBERTSON


cover an extremely difficult field. It is no child's play to
attempt to introduce new methods and carefulness where
old methods and neglect have been ruling for centuries.
Conservatism is too deeply rooted in all men to be broken
through in a few brief years, especially in a land where everything until the present has been against the new method,
and where, moreover, superstitution has played no small
part even in the working of the soil.
It is not my intention to review even cursorily the operations of the bureau of agriculture. A large volume could
scarce do it justice. I wish simply to point out its importance in regard to the matter of race development. The
direction of that improvement is obvious. Better method
alone bespeaks a better intelligence or a development of the
intellect. Better and more abundant food gives a better
physique and makes for the sane mind. A balance on the
credit side is an evidence of wealth. New and improved
products show an advancing country. In short, the inherent benefits for which the bureau of agriculture stands in
the Philippines are as far reaching as any other agency at
work here.
Yet one other factor should be mentioned here because of
its direct bearing on agriculture, namely, the veterinary
work. This forms a very important part of the work of the
bureau of agriculture. The official at the head of this division is also dean of the College of Veterinary Science of the
University of the Philippines. The connection in efficiency
is obvious. The two great problems before the veterinary
division are the eradication of the rinderpest disease in
cattle and the surra in horses, the first named being the more
pressing. The rinderpest epizootic has deprived the farmers of many localities of the most valuable aid in their
farming. The ungainly but useful carabao had become
almost extinct in some districts. This was a most serious
matter and the bureau very early turned its attention to the
cause of this awful mortality. The course followed in other
countries has been carefully studied in the hope of profiting
by their experience. During the last two years, especially,
the work has been constant and hopeful. The hostility




NOTES FROM THE PHILIPPINES


489


of the people has everywhere been encountered, for the element of segregation of sick animals has not been understood,
and quite naturally the farmer who found himself temporarily unable to market his produce because he was not permitted to use his carabaos, could not entertain (in his ignorance of the reason) very friendly regard for the veterinary
officials. However, the work has gone on steadily and has
made substantial progress.
The College of Agriculture, which is a part of the University of the Philippines, is training scientifically young
men for the practical work. These young men become so
many nuclei of progress. They are learning the dignity of
labor and the sanctity of the soil. They will help to
stem the stampede, so natural in the Philippines, because
of the old training, towards clerkships in government offices
and, for many, nonentity, inefficiency, and disappointment.
CONCLUSION
The term "education" after all covers everything that
looks toward race development here, if one accept the broader
idea conveyed by the word rather than that of mere book
learning. Schools and colleges and libraries are but a part
of it all. The forces set in motion through them together
with those set in motion through the several government and
other agencies are bringing about a larger racial life for the
Filipino. The country is now manifestly in the early stages
of an evolution toward something better than it has yet
experienced, but an evolution, it must not be forgotten
partly made possible by the more than three centuries of
Spanish domination. Of the threefold human development,
the spiritual, as elsewhere, needs special care and emphasis
that it may not suffer through an improper balance and the
evolution thereby lose in force or be delayed.
As nowhere else in the world, perhaps, one can perceive
results here, or, at least, tendencies. Efforts in all directions
give indications that augur well-a fact that speaks volumes
for the adaptibility of the Filipino. The general resultant
predicted by the indications is a race which can compete
with other races because it is has learned self control. The




490


JAMES A. ROBERTSON


schools, the workshop, the farm, the playground, are all
aiding in this. The Filipinos are learning how to utilize
their economic resources, as well as to estimate correctly the
value of health and obedience to sanitary principles. Good
health is having a tendency, as elsewhere, to lessen crime.
Good health means also a doubling of economic efficiency.
Immunity to disease and its consequent weakness is producing a man better fitted to compete with his fellow man.
Even the great prison, Bilibid, the largest in the world, and
yet, perhaps, the easiest managed, is aiding considerably
in the evolution by the training of each prisoner in a trade,
and in the giving of a rudimentary instruction, as well as
by daily health exercise.
As a whole the people are gaining a new level, where insight is keener, necessities more numerous, and luxuries more
desirable. Above I have indicated some of the factors that
are bringing this about. Each factor is related to and inextricably bound up with the others. There is no such thing
as isolation in factors. Halting and slow or even hopeless
though the work and achievements may seem at times, there
is steady progress. The result is a real evolution which with
the lapse of time will gain the respect it merits.




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