Evening star., 1902-02-20
The Healthfulness of the Phil
ippine Islands.
DANGER FROM NEGLECT
GOV. TAFT BEFORE THE SENATE
COMMITTEE.
Believes Our Intervention Was Good
for Filipinos, but Bad for Us,
but Would Remain.

Gov Taft continued to discuss the ell
matte conditions in the Philippines today
before the Senate Philippine committee. Re-
yerting to what he had said yesterday con-
cerning the health of American troops In
the Philippines, Gov. Taft said that much
OF the sickness which does exist is due to
exposure and he incidentally made an ap-
peal for liberal appropriations for the con-
struction of barracks for the protection or
officers and men.
The witness thought the high death rate
OF troops in the Philippines due to the guer-
rilla warfare, saying that it is impossible to
get soldiers to observe the laws of hygiene.
His experience, Gov. Taft said. was that the
greatest danger in the matter of health In
the Philippines Is found in the neglect OF
symptoms which are not generally regarded
as of Importance in the United States.
Lived There for Years in Health.
He knew. he said, of Europeans who had
spent thirty or forty years in the ISLANDS
and who are In good health. He thought,
however, that they generally left the islands
for several months every two or three
years As a rule continued residence mad
The effect of causing a gradual deterioration
of health
Gov Taft said he attributed his own loss
OF health to lack of exercise.
He referred to the prevalence of private
diseases and said that certain precautions
had been taken by the medical authorlties
in the way of supervision which was
thought necessary for the protectlon oI Tue
troops and the public.
Gov. Taft made reply to number OF
questions by Senator Culberson concerning
the eypenses of conducting the government
Of the islands. He said that these expenses
are much higher than under Spanish RUE,
and that the increase would be greater this
year than it had been last year. For m
stance while the annual expense OF con-
Quoting the government of Manila under
Spanish rule was from so00Oo0 to 81 l,"oUD
Mexican. the present aNpense is apout si,7
:sa.WO in gold. The 1crease in the total
was. he said. due to the increase IN SAL
aries and to the imprisonment OF the gov.
ernment afforded. Under Spanish rule
he said. salaries were very loW-so low
that they were the plainest intimation that
they Spanish officers) expected their sal
aries to be pieced out by Illegal collections
and squeezes. and that they were so pieced
out is indisputable.
Good for Filipinos, Bad for Us.
Replying to series of questions. Gov
Taft said the Intervention of the United
States in the Philippines was the best thing
that could happen for the Filipinos; but
that it would have been better for our
country If we had not gone there, and
added: IF the result in the end proves to
then we can possibly justify ourselves on
the ground that we have only taken our
share of the burden of civilization IN bring
ing out an unciviized people,,
Continuing the general discussion of con-
ditionS in the Philippines, he expressed the
opinion that trade with the United States
would increase and that ultimately the
islands would be self-supporting. even to
the extent of paying the expenses of the
United States army there.
DO you believe that what We are now
doing in the Philippines is best for the
FFilipinos and for the people of the United
States as well%' asked Senator Allison.
Il do said Gov. Taft. I'VE are pursu-
ing there the only course open to u.s. and
1t was absolutely impossible for us to pur-
sue any other course than the one we did
pursue and are pursuing there. II the SEN
ators on the other side of the table (refer-
ring to the democratic members OF the
committed had been there they could not
have done differently. and when their party
comes into power. if it should do so, they
cannot do anything but go ahead
Senator Culberson: IF a safe and hon.
orable opening for withdrawing from the
islands should present itself. do you think
the United States should avail itself of it?''
Should Continue There.
Gov. Taft: THAT question assumes that
there might be such an opening; l don't
think there will be. and say no. Possess
spirit. / think that We should continue our
work in those islands, now that we are
there and there is no likelihood of finding
an honorable way ont.
Gov. Taft was excused at the conclusion
Of the sitting. and the committee adjourned
until next Tuesday with the understanding
that Gen. Hughes will be the witness.