The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-15
WOULD UNDER OUR OWN
An Army of $4,000 Americans May
Soon be Sufficient.
WHEN ALL The PROVINCES ARE PAClFIFD
Under Existing Law the People Are Not al
Lbsrtyto Advocate an Independent
or a Separate Form Of
C0vpsnmant
Government.
(By the Associated Press.)


Washington. D. c., Feb. 14,-Governor
Taft, of the Philippines. today continued
his statement before the Senate Com.
mittee on the Philippines, concerning the
conditions in that archipelago with the
| intention of discussing the degree of
tranquility in the pacified provinces
which, he said. included all the province
except Tabayas, Samar and Batangas.
Senator Lodge asked as TO the means
used for maintaining tranquility. The
reply involved a review of the legal sys-
tenn of the islands at present as under
the military government, and also under
the Spanish rule.
Governor Taft said that in June of last
year the commission had passed an act
organizing a system of judiciary for the
entire archipelago, creating a Supreme
Court of seven justices and creating
fourteen districts. There Is no provis-
ion for jury. nor would jury system
be feasible, because, said the witness.
the people are too ignorant TO Sit on
jury.
Senator Culberson asked whether
there is any part OF the archipelago the
control of which could be trusted TO ma
tive troops and the witness replied that
he did not think it would be advisable.
Il should not like to have the responsi-
bility of recommending such course"
he said.
Senator Burrows: do you mean to
say that the attachment of the natives
for America is so slender that it world
not be safe to entrust the control OF any
section to native troops with native Of
iicers?"
Governor Taft: The presence OF ma"
tive regiment under the control of ma
tive officers would, in my opinion, give
rise to opportunities to the commander
to lead the tribes into ladronism or in
surrection and would therefore he un.
wise"
IIo wwould it be with native troops
under American officers"
L have not the slightest doubt that
with American officers the native troops
would be entirely loyal"
Senator Culberson questioned the wit
ness as to the necessity OF Keeping as
many as 10000 American TROOPS in the is
lands and the latter replied that Captain
Allen estimates that with all the prov
inces pacifed $4,000 American troops
would he sufficient For himself he
thought it would be desirable to continue
small detachments of troops at convenient
points all over the islands for the pur-
rose OF preventing disorder and violence
and serving as a moral restraint. Senator
Ledge stated that the Secretary OF War
had informed him that when the present
general orders are carried into effect
there will be left in the islands 1876 off,
GERS and 70 234 enlisted men.
Speaking Of the general condition Of
The paci1ed provinces Governor Taft said
that Ia all these provinces the people are
going about their usual avocatons In
cne province not hostile shot had been
fired for two years
Senator Culberson-'Is it true that I'M
Ger existing law they are not at liberty
10 advocate an independent or q separate
fern of government"
NO, they are not"
Are the American troops IN the islands
being used" Senator Burrows inquired
Ito prevent the people from rising for in
dependence or to preserve order?''
They are not used al ALL" replied the
witness. "and as We regard the situation
hey are not necessary. Their presence
for the preservation of order was origi-
nally required but is not now the case
and they are being withdrawn and the
civil constahulary substituted"