The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-03-05
PHILIPPINE SLAVERY
EXISTS IN VERY MILD FORM, SAID
GOV. TAFT.
THE MoRoS SEEM TO LIKE 1T.
SLAVES THEMSELVES WOULD
FIGHT AGAINST FREEDOM.

slavery Is Usually for Debt, but
Runs From Generation to Genera
ton UntiI Debt Is Pnid-SIaves Are
Members of the Family and Disci-
pIine Is MiId-SuItnns and Datos
Are as Plentiful BarOns In Ger
many or Justices of the Peace in
the United states.
Washington, March 4.-The extent of
slavery in the Philippines was dis
cussed by Governor Taft before the
House Insular Committee to-day in re-
Spouse to questions by members. He
said slavery was confined to the South
ern Moro Islands. The investigation
made by Gov. Taft and his associates
had brought out that the slaves includ-
ed men, women and children who were
slaves for debt, according to the state
ments made by the datos. The slaves
could buy their liberty, but until this
was done, the condition ran from gem
Grafton to generation. The slaves were
members of the family, and the relation
was comparatively mild, if it was
possible to consider any form of
slavery as mild. Governor Taft said
Dato Mandi had already abolished
slavery by decree. How effective this
was. could not be stated
1T indicates" said Gov. Taft, how
willing they are to consider our de-
sires and the possibilities of eradicat-
ing the system
The civil authorities had nver recog-
nized slavery in any way he said, and
the military had always released
slaves, but the slaves did not under
stand the advantage of liberty, and
Gov. Taft said that if we attempted
to end slavery by force, we would prob
ably find the slaves turning their guns
against us. The influence of the
United States was, however, growing
stronger and stronger for the eradica-
ton of slavery. Although our wishes
had been made known, yet neither the
civil nor military authorities had said
slavery must cease or war would be
made.
Representative Patterson of Tennes-
see asked the number of slaves.
Gov. Taft replied that ne and his as
sociates had sought to learn the num-
Der, with the idea that we might buy
them and avert an exercise of force
But when the natives learned this, they
all represented themselves as slaves.
The governor estimated about one
fourth Of this southern population as
slaves, or from 100000 to 100000, in u
population of 100000 to 1.500, 000 When
asked how many sultans there were;
Gov. Taft answered that sultans and
datos were as numerous as barons in
Germany or Justices of peace in the
United States.
In reply to a question by Mr.. Patter-
son Gov Taft stated that the slaves
were punished by their masters, and
whipping Wasi not unknown to them,
although there was little severity. The
slaves were subject to sale, but he did
not know OF any separating of mothers
from their children.
Representative Sibley of Pennsyl-
vania asked what annual charge on the
United States would be made for the
maintenance of the Philippines
Gov. Taft answered that there was
no reason why the United States should
be called upon to pay anything toward
the expenses of the insular government,
except for military operations There
was now $5000,000 in gold on hand and
only $2,0O0,000 debt in sight