New-York tribune., 1902-02-01
GOVERNOR TAFT HEARD.
PROGRESS OF PHILIPPINE
CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
FEW CENTRES OF DISAFFECTION RE-
THROUGH THE ISLANDS.
fay TELEGRAPH TO THE TLIPrxE.l

shown in the first appearance to-day at the
Capitol Of Governor Taft a witness before
the Senate Philippine Committee, which is
wrestling with the problem of devising some
permanent form of civil government for the
archipelago. The Governor is to give the COM
mittee the benefit of his great experience as a
legislator and administrator in this country $
Far Eastern dependency. and his testimony will
probably be continued through six or eight ses-
sons AT to-day's hearing he told in a delight
fully cursory and offhand way, full of detail
and incident, of his various journeys through
the archipelago for the purpose Of instituting
provincial ard local government. Governor Taft
has had prepared for use before the committee
some coored maps showing the areas in the
Philippines still unpacifed. In the whole archi-
pelago there are left only three or four centres
of disahection-notably in Southern Luzon dn
the province of Batangas), in Samar and in
Bohol. To-day's hearing brought up no points
of controversy, and few questions were asked
by either Republican Democratic members
of the committee 1t is understood that for the
minority Senators Rawlins Culberson and Pat
terson are later to undertake to cross-examine
Governor Taft. in the hope of substantiating
some Of the rainbow theories entertained on that
side about the capacity of the Filipino people
for political independence and orderly self-gov-
ernment.
GOVERNOR TAFTS TESTIMONY.
There was full attendance of members of the
committee. and Senator Lodge. the chairman
explained that the committee desired not only
the fullest information concerning the islands,
but any advice that Governor Taft might offer
concerning the questions at issue. Governor
Taft began by saying that he had gone to the
Philippines in the springlof 1900, and had visit
ed almost all the provinces in the last year In
all the Filipino Christian provinces there is
q form of civil government. There are thirty
four Of these provinces. The Moros are all
friendly. except a few who had always been
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 commits
sion's tour Of the islands Governor Taft said
that it had only been undertaken after the re-
election Of President Mckinley. when the time
seemed ripe for the establishment of local gov
eminent in the islands. Describing this tour,
he said the course was to present ~ the NJ
taries of the various places visited an explana-
tion Of the provincial and municipal acts I'VE
had some oratory" he said, "and from the rear
platform Of the train, but generally from the
windows OF the car"
He then gave in detail the proceedings at the
meetings in the places visited, saying that some
seventeen capitals of the provinces were visited
on the first tour. At each place the delegates
of the people were met, the prescribed special
act was passed and a governor appointed who
was authorized 10 organize municipalities. These
provincial governments consist. he explained, of
a Governor, secretary, superintendent, treasurer
ana hscal or prosecuting attorney. In all
cases where the selection could be made with
out arousng JealOusies natives had been chosen
All these appointments are temporary. and next
month their successors will be elected. When
tne factions were too strong. Americans We're
placed at the head of each provincial govern
ment. In all cases the treasurer and superin-
tendent were Americans.
COMMISSION HOSPITALITY RECEIVED.
The commission had first given it's attention
10 the northern provinces. and in April started
south on trip of ffty-four days They had
been received most cordially everywhere. This
!ed the Governor into few remarks on Filipino
hospitality. The Spaniard," he said, will al
ways 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, and he always means what he
says: he VIII turn his family out, and install
you in his habitation"
speaking Of the island of Negros he said it
was peculiar in its Topography and that before
the coming Of the commission there was diff
Guilty IN the matter Of government. There
30 many officers in the government that of the
S]V0OVO CMeXican) only about $1,000 was left
Ior other expenses than the payment of salaries.
governor Taft said that the commission had
hao an interesting experience in trying to
oleanlze the Province Of Antique, but that the
people resisted vigorously. He mentioned that
al San Jose, the capital, they displayed model
u Liberty Enltghtening the World, which
twenty feet high, and had been dragged seven
miles over rough road. On this monument
mere were statues Of Washington and Nc
Kinley
Governor Taft said it had been found impos-
siole TO put Filipinos over the Moros. They are
SUBJECT 10 their datos, chiefs, and refuse to
recognize the authority of a Filipino. There
were, he said two sultans-one in Mindanao
eho the other in the Jolo group-but the sultans
20 not always control their datos The Sultan
ol Mlndanao is, he said, very poor, but the SOW
efelgn OF the Jolos is a thrifty man, who is con-
ways getting Into row about it, The Jolo
sultan he said, refused to recognize Spain's
claim TO any property in the island except the
custom houses. and there is question as
10 the ownership in many instances.
NO WAR IN MORO PROVINCES.
In reply TO Senator Hale. Governor Taft said
thst no effort had been made to extend the civil
government of the United States the Moro
provinces beyond making a few suggestions on
mat direction" he said Everything is going
oh Just as it was. and the islands are under the
control Of the War Department far as the
United States is concerned
asked II the Moros generally peaceful.
ne replied that they were except in individual
Instances. There is,' he said, mo war.
even insurrection in the Moro provinces but
mere are occasional reports of the murder OF
american soldiers" He had knowledge of
ne reported fights IN Mndanao. On its tour
me commission had been attended only by
aa'LporaIs guard on the steamer. but there was
garrison of United States troops at every cap
governor Taft referred to the Federal party
ree - me islands, and said that he had received
p-uuon from the party TO be presented TO Con-
e,gss. but had not yet decided how to present II.
Inc committee adjourned TO meet at II o'clock
tomorrow. Governor Taft said he left the
Wmhttee room that he desired to return to
Aadllla by Nav 1