New-York tribune., 1902-02-02

rrorrotes than for the Filipinos. 1t was also i'm
practicable 10 place Filipino governors over
these people.
In replv to Senator Patterson, Governor Taft
said that there probably were 1000 rifles in the
hands OF Insurgents the Islands, and there
are some of the latter who do not carry guns.
He could not he said, tell where the rifles ana
the ammunition came from. Some had been re-
ceived from Admiral Dewey before the begin
ming OF the insurTection. and there We're also
rurnors Of shipments from Hong Kong and other
parts of China and Japan, but the reports could
not be verified. Some japanese rifles had peen
found but most Of them were either ReHllhgtolS
or Mausers, indicating either American or Span
ish- origin. As to the juntas, most OF theILl are
concentrated now At H0ng-honS' coiilPoSt5I P5
mostly Of natives Of f3atangas, who had naue
their money in coffee growing.
Replying To Senator Dubois, he said that Ia
guna and Samar are the only considerable
Philippine provinces which have not been OF,
ganized, ana with those provinces orgahazeg me-
practically all the Philippines capable OF pelhs
taken in would be under civil government.
THE FILIPINO CHARACTER.
In repIv 10 other questions from Mr.. Dubois
Governor Taft said that the Filipinos have
greater attachment for their country than for
instance the Chinese have for theirs
The Filipino is" ne said, attached first to
his town. and second TO his province. and he Is
I think now forming an attachment for tne
name of Filipino. on that pride OF country ana
on the Filipino's desire for education, he addeu'
Il base my hope in the success OF what We are
doing in the islands
In reply to other questions Governor Taft said.
he estimated that from to per cent Of the
people read and write the Spanish language
hut he could not say what proportion of the
people could write their own language one
great difficulty encountered is the fact that
the people of the different provinces do not
understand the language one Of another. Many
Of the So American teachers are engaged IN
instructing the Filipino teachers. They are
scattered over the islands in 400 towns anu
making good progress no'Withsla!iui ' .3a
their own lack of knowledge of the natives
Many of the American soldiers had acted as
teachers OF the islanders and had proved EeIs
successful The Filipino teachers were Sener-
ally anxiousIy avaing themselves Of the al
vantages thus afforded As a rule the people
appeared anxious to get the educatlon IhuS
given. but in some cases the priests We're mani
Testing a disposition to establish parish schooiS
for their people. -,
Governor Taft said that Spanish is the only
language common throughout the archpelaso'
and this was the only instrument or coIntnuIil-
cation with outside thought. a native who dlu
not speak Spanish compared by him to
man at the bottom Of q well, who must neces-
sarfly he ignorant Of almost everything s9lnS
on about MIN This condition or aI1alrs ha1
LED him recently to vote for the continuance OF
SnanIsh as the official language OF the lSldhds,
for IL English should now be constituted lhe
official language il would be lnpossipIe 10 Gun
duct business without the aid or interpreters.
Senator Patterson asked whether the Filipino
of average intelligence is capable Of distinguish
ing between an independent government for his
country and a benevolent and paternal form
Of government such the United States would
give. Governor Taft replied that a Filipino
Of such intelligence was capable OF making thls
distinction but he emphasized the necessity or
making sure that the Filipino who must pass
on this problem is man of such intelligence.
'You cannot" he said, appreciate the 1gno-
rance and the credulitY of the natives VINO DO
not have the advantage of a knowledge OF the
Spanish language. The present difficulty in the
islands Is found in the ease with which the
educated FilipinOs control or oppress their own
people. In the province Of Cagayan they nave
a system OF caciquism, or bossisTn, ana these
bosses have almost the power Of life and death
Il is exceedingly difficult to get into the min is
of a people situated are the common people
the fact that theirs is not the only way OF liV-
ing. Consequently, when one speaks OF inde-
pendence he is not understood"
do you depend on that ignorance, MI Fal-
terson asked ito make them amenable to our
rule?"
DEPENDENCE ON EDUCATED CLASS.
The response was an emphatic no. "Our
hope" said Governor Taft, "is in the educated
classes"
Replying to questions by Senator Rawlins.
Governor Taft said that three Of the members
OF the Federal party were associated in the
government of the islands, but notwithstand-
ing this fact the government was in 20 way re-
sponsible for the promises Of statehood made
by that party in its PLATFORM. Enlarglng on the
subject Of the Federal party, the Governor
said il comprised probably majority Of the
educated people of the archipelago, but when
the commission had been asked to approve or
disapprove its platform. it had refused to do
either. Possibly, he continued, the promise had
nisled some but for himself, he held the 0pin-
ion that the question of statehood. like the
question of independence, is far in the
future that he did not regard it as Of present
importance.
At this point the committee adjourned until
10 o'clock Monday.