The Washington times., 1902-02-02
ARMS SUPPLIES OF The REBELS
Federal Party Advocates
Statehood in Its Platform.
MANlLANSALLCATHOLICS
Numbers of Insurrectionists Difficult
to Determine Non-Christian
Tribes Who Live in the Woods
Importance of wntcr Buffalo.

Hon. William II. Taft. the civil gov
ernor of the Philippines. has proved him
self an almost invaluable encyclopedia
of knowledge on the affairs in the archi
pelago during the two days in which he
has testified before the Senate Com
mittee on the Philippines.
His knowledge, which he has freely
impaired to the members of the commit
tee. has not only enlightened them on
what was hitherto dark problem, but
has opened their eyes, individually and
collectively to the fact that the task of
outlining a course to be pursued in the
government of the islands is by no means
an easy one.
Philippines Mnp in Service.
When the committee resumed its in
vestigation yesterday morning Governor
Taft was recalled. large colored map
of the archipelago also adorned the wall
of the committee room, and to it Cover
nor Taft frequently referred in speaking
of different cities and places on the ISL
ands.
Nine members of the committee were
present when the investigation was re-
sumed, including Senator Lodge. chair
man, and Senators Proctor, Beveridge
Hale, and Burrows, Republicans. and SEN
ators Dietrich, Rawlins, Culberson, and
Patterson, Democrats.
After making some slight corrections
and explanations of what he had said on
Friday, descriptive of the trip made
through the archipelago by the Philippine
Commission, Governor Taft called the at
tention of the committee to the island of
Cebu.
The Island of Cebu.
The island of Cebu,' said the Cover
nor, was one of the places visited Its
population is variously estimated at from
800, 600 to 600, 900, and the question arose
as to the advisability of establishing
civil government there.
The matter was submitted TO the ma
tive delegates en- the commission, who
insisted that a civil government would
enable them to end the insurrcction ir
the island. But it did not prove So
Senator Allison, who had just entered,
enquired as to the roads of the islands.
No Wagon Roads.
Practically there are no wagon roads
in Cuba" replied Governor TAFT; there
are nothing but trails. We appropriated
81. coo, ,0o0 out of the treasury of the is
lands for the construction of roads, both
for strategic and commercial purposes.
These roads were constructed in northern
and southern Luzon and other islands.
Il cannot, howey er, give the division
OF the money. but all Of il has practically
been expended, under the direction of
the military governor and the army.
Other roads are being repaired out OF
provincial funds. but those funds are not
sufficient TO make improvements either
permanent or large"
In reply to enquiries in regard to the
crops and seasons, Governor Taft stated
that the rainy season set in early in
September and continued until June. AS
TO crops, two of corn and one of tobacco
were produced every year, the corn crop
taking but two and a half months.
Importance of Water Buffalo.
The chief reliance of the islands for
industrial purposes" continued the Gov
ernor. IS the water buffalo, which is the
beast of burden, family friend, the
wealth of individuals. and the object
OF robber incursions."
rs the water buffalo bison?' Mr.
Hale asked.
Not at all" replied Governor Taft.
THE water buffalo has widespread horns
thick skin, is rather low, and is possessed
of considerable strength. The peculiarity
of this beast OF burden is that it must
have an opportunity three or four times a
day to wallow in water and mud to kill
the insects that infest it's hide; and that
is why it is called the water buffalo.
There has been great loss of these
animals, so great in fact that the price
has risen from $50 and $50 TO $3.50 and $t40
per head"
is the water buffalo a milk producing
animal?" asked Mr.. Hale.
No MiIk-Producing Animals.
There are no milk producing animals
on the islands, replied the Governor.
although I see no reason why there
should not be-"
Senator Hale then enquired as to where
the forty-one fights reported as having
taken place within the last thirty days
had occurred.
Governor Taft pointed out on a map
OF The archipelago half dozen islands.
Being asked as 10 how the name OF one OF
the islands pointed out was spelled, he
answered the committee by stating that
some spelled it one way and some an
other. but that in his opinion there was
no correct way OF spelling it.
Senator Proctor made an enquiry about
the Macabebes.
At odds With Ncigbbors.
THE Macabebes," said Governor Taft
are always at odds with their neighbors
There are probably 1000 or 5000 of them.
4 Spanish half-breed. named Marco own
ed much Of the land in their neighborhood,
and they were much attached to him.
When Marco went into the Spanish army
they became pro-Spanish. and were hos
tile to their neighbors. As a consequence,
when the controversy came on between
the United States and the Filipinos, the
Macabebes followed the transfer OF title
to us
Governor Taft then continued his mar
rative Of the trip of the commission
through the archipelago. pointing out as
he went along, the place where Aguinal-
do was captured.
He mentioned the provinces where civil
government had been organized. and
stated that in many such cases the in
surrectos had come in and surrendered
Accompanied by the Ladies'.
When asked whether the ladies' of the
party had accompanied the members of
the commission TO all places visited by
them, he stated that they had, except at
some points whore the accommodations
on the small steamers would not permit.
In such instances, he said. the ladies' had
remained on the transport, which was a
comparatively large vessel.
There were probably fifteen persons in
the party" continued Governor Taft, "and
there was certainly no danger to them
After the commission returned to Manila
and had spent some time there. II started
out again on its northern trip"
Senator Culberson asked Governor Taft