The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-27
Government ConcsaIing Nothing
Concerning the Philippines.
OISTaUST IS KEPT ALIVE
By SsusatisnalIsts Who 0Istori Facts and
Twist Every Petty Point Ints Soma R,r-
rhIs Barharlb Of Our GoVsrumsat

Chicago, Jan 27.-William II. Taft, civil
governor OF the Philippines, arrived in
Chicago yesterday afternoon from San
Francisco. lie was met at the depot by
President 5. NJ. FELTON, OF the Chicago and
Alton Railroad company, and went at
once TO Mr.. Felton's residence where he
spent the day. Owing TO the death of
cinnati. the governor denied himself TO
all callers. except few personal friends.
Governor Tart left last night over the
Pennsylvania Railroad for Cincinnati
THE only answer l have to make to
the ideas OF individual observers who
declare that the true condition In the
Philippines is being concealed. or that We
are hugging deluslons of peace that can
never be brought about, is that the gov
ernment is concealing nothing, and that
its conclusions are not based on wild
theories. but substantial facts"
This was the reply Governor Taft made
TO a statement published by Stephen Bon
sal. declaring that desperate opposition
uas still being encountered in the field
and that the natives are irreconcilable
and better organized than before the
capture OF Aguinaldo.
Governor Taft said that although there
was a time when for military reasons,
il had not been advisable 10 make pub
lie everything occurring in the Philip
pines. the necessity for such secrecy is
over and that no effort is now being made
TO conceal any part OF the truth from the
people OF this country.
las matter OF fact" he added, "the
embers OF distrust are being kept alive
by sensationalists who seize on every
petty point. and seek TO twist IL into
some horrible barbarity OF our gov
ernment in the islands Take, for in
stance the talk about concentration
camps Although / am not sufficiently
we'll acquainted with the fun military
plans to speak with absolute authority.
can say that the whole subject is much
misunderstood by our people.
las a matter OF fact there has never
been any thought of establishing 'concen-
tration camps in the ordinary accepta-
tion OF the term. All that has been pro-
lishment OF a dead line into which will
gradually be drawn all the remnants OF
insurrection that exist.
The non-combatsnts on the islands
have never, even at the hardest period
Of the war received anything but the ut
most kindness and consideration at our
hands, and IL is hardly proba BILE that this
policy will be reversed. now that the op-
position is fast drawing TO a close"
The governor believes that the only ex-
isting opposition TO the authority OF the
men who form the Hong Kong junta.
most OF whom were formerly residents
of the rich coffee-srowing province OF
Batangas.
1T is I'm this province" he went on.
that we are now meeting with our only
Ny statements concerning the
close Of the rebellion are not optimistic
I'm the sense that they are overdrawn.
They are based on nothing but plain
facts.
The natives arc rapidly developing an
a affection for our institutions. and a large
number OF former insurgents have become
members OF the community,
fully. worthy of any trust that may be
reposed in them. The coming elections
will develop the real progress in this
direction, and am certain that the result
will be gratifying.
"The restrictions placed on the privi-
lege OF the ballot are principally OF an
character. "A fact that will,
OF course cut out numbers of Filipinos.
But this Is a condition that will be bet
tered rapidly. The progress OF education
is satisfactory and our policy in this di-
rection is liberal
mo obstacle Of any character IL put
in the way OF the parish schools: indeed.
IL is now generally understood throughout
the islands that the government will
eagerly welcome the establishment OF ad-
ditional institutions OF this character as
long as they conform TO the educa tional
standard demanded in our public schools,
and instruct pupils in the English Ian
guage IL is utterly immaterlal 10 us
what the character of the school is. All
factors that will aid In the work OF educa-
ton are welcomed 80
Governor Tart refuses 10 discuss the fu-
ture OF Aguinaldo. lie says that the de-
posed leaders fate Is In the hands OF the
military branch OF the service entirely,
and that the civil arm has tho response
bility OF neither his custody nor his be-