University Daily Kansan
Page 2
Thursday, Nov. 8, 1956
Filipinos Have Christian Belief
(The following editorial is the second of two informative articles on the Republic of the Philippines. They are presented as background in connection with talks by the American Universities Field Staff lecturer.)
The only predominately Christian country in the Far East, the Philippines were made a Catholic church state when the Spanish conquered the islands. The Filipinos remained under the jurisdiction of the strict Spanish missionaries until the American occupation, when the more liberal American missionaries arrived in the islands.
Although English is the language spoken in government, education, and business, the national language of the people is Tagalog, which is derived from Malay. In 1940 one in every four Filipinos claimed to speak English, but many used a limited vocabulary. It is now estimated that about 5 million Filipinos, a little less than one-fourth of the total population speak good English.
Because there was continued friction between the European and American religious orders, some native priests broke away in 1900 and formed the Philippine Independent church which is the second largest in the islands. Protestant missionaries, who entered the islands at the beginning of our occupation, have built some schools and established some congregations.
Altogether, more than 70 tongues are spoken by the Filipinos. Although less than 3 per cent of the population speak Spanish, it was the official language in the islands from the 16th century until the American occupation in 1898.
Under the constitution of the Philippines all men are equal and there are no legally privileged classes; however, there is a gulf which separates the living standards of the ordinary citizens from that of a fevored few.
The average class, of which about 2 million are unemployed, live in rural "barrios" composed of nipa huts perched on stilts and lacking all modern facilities. This class includes farmers, of which one-half are idle more than seven months of the year when rain on fields halts agriculture.
The favored few are dynastic families who own much of the rural and urban real estate This class includes the politicians, and prosperous businessmen who live in large homes, drive Cadillacs, and have swimming pools. Many of these persons live in Manila, the traditional capital (the capital is Quezon City, a suburb of Manila,) which is the largest city and the business and financial center of the country.
These wealthy Filipinos are economically independent, socially competent, imaginative, ambitious, and socially prominent. They enjoy a standard of living comparable to the well-to-do Americans. The favored few spend large amounts of money weekly at jai alai games and take frequent vacations to the United States, Spain, and Latin America.
The pressures of this class system have given opportunity for the rise of the Communist Huk movement, which is still the government's most serious problem. However, a constant, well-organized propaganda drive has acquainted villagers with the dangers of the Communist rule, and these persons, who formerly stood aside, are now beginning to help the government.
The Filipinos are ruled by a constitution similar to ours. All citizens over 21 years of age who can read or write Spanish, English, or a native dialect and can meet certain residential qualifications may vote. The president (now Ramon Magsayay) and vice president (now Carlos Garcia) are elected for four years and can be re-elected.
The policy of the government has been to prepare the non-Christian people for equal citizenship. Time, money, and effort has been spent to extend modern services of health and education to these regions to bring the people closer to modern life. It is, however, too early to judge the success of the assimilation.
In spite of all factors (about 50 per cent of the people are illiterate) and influences, the Republic of the Philippines is prospering—perhaps because of her countrymen who are intensely patriotic and fundamentally optimistic about the future.
—Jane Pecinovsky
.. Letters ..
'Average Succeed'
Editor:
We would suggest that Mr. Kamberg, being a senior, take a quick look around him, for though he rebels against "hogwash" he dishes out "pig slop."
We have just finished reading an article entitled "I defend fraternities against hogwash," by William G. Kamberg, Lawrence senior. The article was written in response to criticism leveled by Billy G. Aldridge, Kansas City, Kan., senior.
I am sure the educators of KU applaud Mr. Kamberg. Why should anyone worry over lack of intellects, lack of scientists, lack of high grade teachers when it is the average who succeed.
Success in what—the business of the father of a fraternity brother? Or maybe a high level salesman's job in the local five and ten.
Kansas City, Kan., freshman
Mr. Kramberg seems appalled at the use of the in-group, out-group theory of Greek organization, yet although stating his opinion, he lacks facts to support it. So that we do not fall into the same pitfall we point to these facts.
Dale Tompkins.
Giant sequoias, earth's largest living things, sprout from seeds so small that one ounce, in theory, could produce 6,700 trees, the National Geographic Society says.
Should Age Requirement Be Cut To 18 For Voting?
Kansas City, Kan., senior
At the age of 18 the young men of America are qualified for military service but not until they are 21 do they have the right to vote. This has been a controversial subject for years, with both the pro and con sides having valid arguments.
Brad Lashbrook.
It is interesting to note that Mr. Kamberg defends grades (which are what—5 to 1.2) and accelerated social life on the grounds that they make the well-rounded individual. The average person has a better chance for success.
Bill Doty, Kansas City sophomore — "There are two sides to this. On one side there is the feeling that if they are old enough to fight they are old enough to vote, but on the other side there is the contention that they are not mature enough to realize the importance of their right to vote. I say yes, they should vote."
Any system that pre-judges an individual is discriminating and a system that keeps some of its members in bondage until emancipated by an active pin is tyrannical. Any system that dictates is wrong. We feel that Mr. Kamberg should examine what he is defending.
Bill Burnison, Ontario, Calif. freshman—"Yes, if they have to fight, they should get to vote."
UNIVERSITY
Daily Wansan
University of Kansas student newspaper Founded 1889, became biweekly 1904, trilweekly 1908, daily. Jan. 16, 1912.
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Dan Kratzer, Kansas City senior— "Yes. by that age they should be expected to take part in elections just as they are expected to take part in the defense of our country."
Bill Doty, Kansas City sophomore
Roger Alberty, Olathe senior — "Yes, if they are old enough to fight, they are old enough to vote. They are also better adapted from their high school courses."
Telephone VIking 3-2700 Extension 251, news room Extension 278, buddiness office
Member Inland Daily Press Association Associated Collegiate Press. Represented by National Advertising Service, 420 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. News service: United Press. Mail subscription rates: $3 a semester or $4.50 a year. Published in Lawrence, Kan., every afternoon during the University year except holidays and Sundays. University holidays, and event dates are second-class matter Sept. 17, 1910, at Lawrence, Kan., post office under act of March 3, 1879.
The following KU students responded to the question: 'Should 18-year-olds be granted the right to vote?'
Jerry Krause, Kansas City freshman—"Yes, if they are expected to go out and defend their country they ought to have the right to vote for the administration that decides whether we have war or peace."
Tom Conner, Prairie Village freshman—"Yes, if they have to talk government courses where they are required to keep abreast of political happenings of the day and are therefore well qualified to vote."
Jack Thomas, Omaha senior—"No they are not mature enough to realize the importance of their voting, and are likely to be swayed by their parents and others. When they are 21 they think more for themselves."
Phil Loncar, Leawood freshman— "No, boys should be able to if they are mature enough, but not girls, because they are unstable and would probably nominate and elect Elvis Presley."
908 Mass.
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