The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-11-06
LIKE EASTERN DESPOTISM.
Judge Taft Defines Sovereignty In
the Philippines.


Judge Taft the President of the Phillip
pine Commission, asserted recently, it 5
reported that the sovereignty which the
United States claims in the Philippines is
the same as that which Turkey Rus
STA would claim if they occupied the
Philippines, with the only difference that
the exercise of this sovereignty will be
inspired by the spirit of the Constitu-
ton"
This statement was made, according to
the Manila correspondent of the "Hcng-
kong Telegraph" in August last. The
following despatch to the Telegraph"
explains the circumstances under which
Judge Taft defined the nature of Ameri-
can sovereignty in the Philippines:
This afternoon Mr.. Mabini, Filipino
leader, was taken to the Ayuntamiento
and introduced to the North American
Commission. There were present Presi-
dent Taft, two other members of tie
Commission, the interpreter, and short
hand writer. Mr.. Mabini asked for tn S
conference. When the session was open
ed he said.
=" have been imprisoned since Deem
bel last ana not allowed to be set free
American sovereignty. The word SOW
ereignty in international law has not
precise or fixed definition. So that in The
South African trouble England claims to
have sovereignty over the two republics
Notwithstanding the recognition OF tnziE
complete independence made by her wi
respect to their internal administration.
My efforts in favor of my country have
no other object than to obtain the m ST
solid guarantee for the liberties and
rights OF the Filipinos. | therefore asked
Tor conference TO find out to what
extent American sovereignty will re-
strain that which naturally belongs TO
the Filipino people.
Mr.. Taft. having heard the remarks Of
his companions, replied as follows
The American sovereignty has the OBJ
ject OF giving the Filipinos a good govern
ment- The sovereignty that the United
States of America claims is the same as
that which Russia or Turkey would claim
If they occupied the Philippines, with the
only difference that the exercise of this
sovereignty will be inspired by the spirit
of the Constitution. The Commission will
endeavor to establish in the Philippines a
popular government after the style Of that
adopted for Porto Rico
ITO this Mr. Mabni replied that the
principles which the American Consti-
tuition rests declare that the sovereignty
rests with the people by natural right;
that the American Government, by not con-
tenting itself with restraining the sover-
eighty of the Filipino people. but with com
pletely multiplying it, commits an injustice
that soon or later Will demand reparation
or explanation; that there cannot be a
popular government where the people are
not giyens a real and effective participation
in the constitution and performance OF that
government.
The Commissioner replied, saying that
they We're not authorized TO discuss abb
stract matters, as they had orders to make
their views. prevail by force.
Then Mr.. Mabini said he considered the
conference as closed. for he thought II use
less to discuss matters and give his views
to those who did not want TO listen to the
voice of reason
MIR. Taft asked him i he wanted to help
them in the study Of the taxes that may be
imposed on the people OF the Philippines
Mr. Mabui replied that. considering IN
just every tax imposed without the con-
sent of the representatives of those who are
TO pay it! he could not take part in such
study without the representation and COM
mgnd Of the people.
Mr.. Mahini said hat he saw the Ameri-
cans persisted in reducing the FiIipinos to
the hard alternative of dishonesty or death,
and that since this was so he would prefer
70 behave himself as an honest man who
puts above all his duties his honor. Be-
tween dishonesty and death it was his duty
TO prefer the latter