Promises are neither action nor policy. and. in the form of legislation. are a grave mistake. Those which involve us in pledges of independence have the additional disadvantage of being the one sure means of keeping alive war and:disorder in the islands. Those who offer them or urge them proceed on the assumption that you can deal with an Asiatic in the same manner and expect from him the same results as from a European or an American. This shows. it seems to me. a fatal misconception. The Asiatic mind and habit of thought are utterly different from ours. Words or acts which to us would show generosity and kindness and would bring peace and order. to an Asiatic mean simply weakness and timidity and are to him an incentive to riot. resistance. and bloodshed. Promises of this kind. therefore. are neither effective action nor intelligent policy. but the sure breeders of war. If we must abandon the Philippines. let us abandon them frankly.
Identified stereotypes
Asiatics are perceived as having a mind and habit of thought utterly different from Europeans or Americans, interpreting generosity as weakness and being incited to riot and bloodshed.