Evening star., 1902-01-31
Before the Senate Committee on
the Philippines,
RELATES COMMISSIONS EXPERIENCE
Tells of Setting Up Governments
in the Provinces.
NATURE OF THE NATIVES

The investigation into the conditions in
the Philippine archipelago apropos of the
effort to secure legislation for the govern
ment of those islands was begun by the
Senate committee on the Philippines today.
w. H. Taft, civil governor of the archi-
pelago, was the first witness called. There
was a full attendance of members of the
committee, and Senator Lodge, chairman
Of the committee, explained that the COM
mittee desired not only the fullest informa
ton concerning the islands, but any ad-
vice that Governor Taft might offer con-
cerning the questions at issue. Governor
Taft began by saying that he had gone to
the Philippines in the spring Of 1900 and
had visited almost all the provinces during
the past year. He said that in all the Fill
pino Christian provinces there is form
of civil government. There are thirty-four
of these provinces. The Moros are all
friendly, except few who had never been
otherwise than hostile to the Spaniards.
Even these were now being brought over
by the prospect of trade, of which they are
very fond.
Going back to the beginning of the COM
missions tour of the island, Governor Taft
said that it had only been undertaken after
the reelection of President Mckinley,
when the time seemed ripe for the estab-
lishment of local government in the islands.
Describing this tour, he said the course
was to present to the dignitaries of the
various places visited an explanation of the
provincial and municipal acts. I'VE had
some oratory,' he said, mot from the rear
platform of the train, but generally from
the windows of the car
He then gave in detail the proceedings of
the meetings at the various places visited
saying that some seventeen capitals of the
xl,1G
each place the delegation of the people were
met, the prescribed special act was passed
and a governor appointed, who was author
lied to organize municipalities. These pro-
Vincial governments consist, he explained,
of governor, secretary, superintendent
treasurer and fiscal or prosecuting attor-
ney. In all cases where the selection could
be made without arousing jealouses, ma
tives had been chosen. All these appoint
ments are temporary and next month their
successors will be elected. When the fac
tions were too strong Americans were
placed at the head of each provincial gov
ernment. In all cases the treasurer and
superintendent were Americans.
Everywhere Received Cordially.
The commission had first given its at
tention to the northern provinces, and in
April started south on trip of fifty-four
days. They had been received most cor
daily everywhere.
This latter remark led the witness into
a few discursive remarks upon the subject
of Filipino hospitality. THE Spaniard,
he said will always tell you that his house
Is yours but he doesn't always mean that
you should take him at his word, but the
Filipino will tell you the same thing aud
he always means what he says. He Will
turn his family out and install you IN his
habitation."
Speaking of the Island Of Negros, he said
1t was peculiar in its topography, and that
prior to the coming Of the commission there
was difficulty in the matter of government.
There were 80 many officers in the govern
ment that of the 100000 CMexican) only
about $4,000 was left for other expenses
after the payment Of salaries
Gov. Taft said the commission had had
an interesting experience in trying to re-
organize the province of Antique but that
the people resisted vigorously. He men
toned that at San jose, the capital, they
displayed a model Of liberty enlightening
the world, which was twenty feet high, and
had been dragged seven miles over a very
rough road On this monument there were
statues of Washington and Mckinley.
The Two Sultans.
Gov Taft said It had been found impos-
sible to put Filipinos over the Moros The
latter are subject to their datos, chiefs,
and refuse to recognize the authority of a
Filipino. There were, he said, two sultans,
one in Mindanao and the other in the Jolo
group, but the sultans do not always con-
troll their datos. The sultan of Mindanao
is he said, very poor, but the sovereign of
the Jolos is a thrifty man, who is con-
stantly trying to increase his income. and
constantly getting into a row about 1t.
The Jolo sultan had, he said, refused to
recognize SpainS claim to any property
the islands except the customs houses and
there Is considerable question as to the
ownership in many instances. This COM
plication existed not only between the sui
tan and the United States, but between the
sultan and his subjects.
In the Moro Provinces.
In reply to Senator Hale, Governor Taft
said that no effort had been made to extend
the civil government of the United States
to the Moro provinces beyond making few
suggestions bearing upon the revenue laws.
Nothing has been done in that direction
he said. Everything is going on just as it
was and the islands are under the control
of the War Department, so far as the
United States Is concerned"
Asked if the Moros were generally peace
full the witness replied that they were so
except in individual instances.
There is,'' he said, mo war, nor even in
surrection, in the Moro provinces, but there
are occasional reports of the murder of
American soldiers" He had no knowledge
of the reported fights in Mindanao. On it's
tour the commission had been attended
only by corporal's guard on the steamer,
but there was garrison of United States
troops at every capital visited.
Governor Taft referred to the federal
party in the islands, and said that he had
been given a petition from this party to be
presented to the American Congress- but
had not yet decided how to present it.
The committee adjourned to meet at IL
o'clock tomorrow. Governor Taft said as
he left the committee room that he desired
to return to Manila by May 1.
Naval Orders.