The Washington times., 1902-03-06
UNIVERSITY IN THE
PHILIPPINES NEEDED
Gov. Taft Suggests the Ex-
penditure of SI,ooo,ooo.
STATUS OF SLAV ERY
Christian Filipinos More Capable of Self
Government Than the Moros-Polyg-
amy Confined to the Weather Datos.

Gov. W. H Taft. of the Philippines.
was interrogated yesterday by MEM
bers of the House Committee on Insular
Affairs. principally in relation to the ex-
istence of slavery in the islands.
The civil government has done nothing
to suppress slavery, he said. The mill
tary released the Christian slaves, pro-
hibited raids. and used moral suasion with
the datos Beyond that nothing had been
done.
There Is no intermarriage between the
Moros and the Christian Filipinos. nor
would the former submit to the rule Of
wealthy datos.
Bill of Rights.
Governor Taft said that the Christian
Filipinos have higher capacity for self
government than the Moros. He declared
that it would be wise to have bill Of
rights in the civil government bill now
under consideration. carrying the same
rights as obtained IN the Territories. save
the right to carry arms and the right to
trial by Jury.
To the Filipino the same right of pro-
lection in foreign lands should be al
lowed as is given the American citizen.
The bill should also entitle the Filipino
to become a naturalized citizen of the
United States.
Military Force Necessary.
Governor Taft said that while civil
government might finally be established
over the islands inhabited by the Moros,
yet it would always be necessary to main
tain military force there to support it..
The Moros, he said knew of no other au-
thority than military force.
Under the treaty negotiated by Gen
eral Bates, the Governor said the Sultan
of Jolo received a salary from the United
States Government. and that an allow
ance was also made to some of his datos.
DO they perform any service in re-
| turn" asked Mr.. Jones of Virginia
They are supposed to keep their fol-
lowers in order replied Governor Taft,
''and to prevent crime. but l think the
sultan is very deficient"
Need of a University.
Governor Taft said the establishment of
a large university was greatly needed In
the islands. and would be much appreciated
by the people, who are always grateful
Such donation from the United States
Government would be very acceptable.
Governor Taft said about 81 900, coo had
been expended in road building under the
army engineers, and a great deal more
was needed.
Question of Coinage.
Taking up the coinage question Gov
ernor Taft said any attempt such as was
proposed by Representative Hill (Rep.,
Conn to enforce the oinage of the United
States in the islands would result in
great disaster. 1t would double the cost
of everything and work great disad-
vantage to the debtor class. 1t would
Impair the relations between employer
and employed by producing an arti-
fetal instead, of natural increase in
wages which would not benefit the labor
ing class because of the increased cost
of everything else.
The Commission, he said. favored
gold standard but a silver currency.
Governor Taft expects to conclude his
hearing before the committee today.
Of No Practical Assistance.
General Hughes. in continuing his tes-
timony before the Senate Committee on
the Philippines, yesterday said that the
Filipino forces would have been of no as
sistance to the Americans had it been
necessary to drive the Spaniards from
Manila by force of arms.
In minor ways, such as acquaintng the
Americans with the topography of the
country in the ncighborhood OF Manila,
the Filipinos were OF service.
These statements led Senator Patterson
TO read extracts from General Otis cor
respOndence with Aguinaldo and to ask
General Hughes as 10 his belief OF what
General Otis meant. This sort OF ques-
tioning raised squabble in the commit
tee.
The Question Admitted.
Mr.. Beverldge, who was acting as
chairman in the absence OF any other Re
publican at the time. protested against
General Hughes being asked to interpret
General Otis letters He finally admit
ted the question. however
General Otis does not deny that Agui-