The Indianapolis journal., 1902-02-06
They Are Musical. Courteous and PO-
lite, bat Are Not as industrious
as They Might BE.
SOME HONEST, OTHERS NOT
BEST LANDS IN THE ISLANDS ARE
OWNED BY THE FRIARs.
Trouble Between the Commission and
the MiIitary-GeneraI Chanee and
Judge Taft Good Friends.

WASHINGTON. Feb Sin his statement
before the Senate committee on the Philip
pines to-day Governor Taft dealt especially
with the question OF the relationship Of
the civil and military authorities in the
Philippines, and his explanation was re-
ceived with much interest by the members
OF the committee The days session be-
gan with the understanding that there
should be no interruption by members of
the committee until the presentation OF
this entire branch of the subject was COM
pieted.
Governor Taft said that originally the
civil and military control of the islands
hand been in the hands of the military,
and that naturally there had been some
differences of opinion between the military
authorities and the commission to the
method of proceeding. This difference had
arisen with General Macarthur. and there
had been more or less correspondence on
the subject. The general had contended that
authority over the islands was vested in
the military and representatives of the
chief executive. because the islands were
In state Of war. In this view the COM
mission did not concur. This difference
did not. however, extend TO the control of
the municipalities.
THE TILT WITH CHAFFEE.
In this connection Governor Taft ex-
planned at some length the contention be-
tween the commission and General Chat
fee, which had, ne said. arisen over the
habeas corpus provision in the commits
sion's code That provision had been in
serted. he said, to- protect native officers
who surrendered and who are subject 10
arrest On charges of crimes committed
while in insurrection, and believed to be
contrary TO the rules of civilized warfare.
Such charges against these men were COM
mon, and often they were uufounded. The
provision had. however. been invoked in
the interest OF an enlisted man serving in
Cebu. who seeking secure his
lease from the military service in an indi-
rect way. Thus conflict had arisen, and
the question had been referred to Washing
ton, with the result that Instructions had
come back that the differences must be
compromised. General Chaffee and 1 are
on the friendliest and most cordial terms,
he said, "and we had no difficulty in reach
ing an understanding after a prolonged
conference Our compromise was reached
on the understanding that a writ of habeas
corpus would not lie against military off,
GERS, civilian employe Of the military
branch or a prisoner of war
Governor Taft also said that there had
been some differences of opinion as TO other
aAiteTs IA the method of administration,
and that naturally the natives were more
ment because they were represented by
men OF their own nationality in that branch
OF the service. while on the other hand the
army was principally concerned in bring
ing the to end He thought the
military authorities were coming TO look
with more favor on the civil institutions.
In reply to a question Governor Taft said
there are thirty-four organized and fifteen
unorganized provinces. In answer to "A
question by Senator Patterson, Governor
Taft said it not true that a majority
Of the people can read and write. AS TO
the position of women in the islands he
said that the women of the Philippines
hold a superior position. They are the
active managers in general affairs, and
the Spanish archbishop had said to him
that IL IT was intended to confer any po-
ltical authority upon the Filipinos ii
should be conferred upon the female sex
rs II not true interrupted Senator
Dietrich, who has visited the Philippines
while the women are engaged in conduct
ing the affairs of the family the men are
generally engaged in attending cock fights
or going about the country with roosters
under their arms?''
Mr.. Patterson. in answer read from the
War Department report to the effect that
artistic. quiet and orderly
ALL FILIPINOS MUSICIANS
Governor Taft said he had never met
Filipino who not musician. and he
added: "All Filipino crowds are well be-
haved and polite. and the people are courte-
Gus. The Filipino also shows capacity for
skilled labor. but he is negligent of ma
chinery. 1 wish il were true that the Fill
pinO is as Industrious as is claimed. but
he is not. Indeed. there are many of them
who might secure work who do not seek
IT. This condition leads to a demand for
the bringing in of Chinese"
This statement led Senator Hale to make
inquiry concerning the presence of Chi
nese. The witness replied that the contrac-
tors and business men generally contend
for the necessity of bringing in Chinese
Importation however
orally resented by the natives. not so much
Because of the competition of the Chinese
as laborers as because of their competition
as merchants. The Chinaman generally
saved his wages and in a few months would
establish a mercantile establishment the
result being that the next door neighbor
who is a native. will be driven out He
said further that under the present regula-
tions no Chinese are admitted
Replying to other questions Governor
Taft stated that in the islands there are
about 100000 acres of land held by private
persons. and that of this 5000 acres are
owned by the Catholic friars OF these 4O3
oo0 acres 10000 are the best lands in the
Islands.
As to the honesty OF the native Fflipinos
Governor Taft said that many exagger-
ated and extreme pictures had been drawn
They were neither bad nor so good as
they had been represented. Many were ar
rested for theft and there also were
charges OF treachery and duplicity That
some are dishonest and others double-faced
was true. but that all present these char
scteristics was not true. Hence no general
characterization was possible.
Referring TO the order Of concentration in
Ratangas Governor Taft said he had been
misunderstood yesterday in saying that
ne had advised General Bell against il He
had recommended that the order should not
be made so wide in its scope as il was
The committee adjourned TO meet to-
morrow when Governor Taft. at the request
OF Senator Lodge. VIII discuss the tariff
question as applied 10 the Philippines.
e