The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-01
Tour of the Provinces Described and
Conditions as Found by the
Commission Explained.
LITTLE DONE WITH THE MOROS
NO EFFORT TO EXTEND CIVIL GOV
ERNMENT To THEM.
Sultan of JOIO Always in Trouble
Peculiar Conditions i'm the
Island of Negros.

WASHINGTON, Jan. S1.-The investiga-
ton into the conditions in the Philippine
archipelago apropos of the effort to secure
legislation for the government of those
islands was begun by the Senate committee
on the Philippines to-day. w. H Taft, the
civil Governor of the archipelago, was the
first witness called. There was a full at
tendance of members of the committee. and
Senator Lodge explained that the commit
tee 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 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 Filipino or Christian provinces there
is a form of civil government. There are
thirty-four of these provinces. These are
now being brought over by the prospect
of trade. Going back to the beginning of
the commissions tour of the islands Gov
ernor Taft said it had only been under
taken after the reelection of President Nc
Kinley, when the time seemed ripe for the
establishment 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 1--WE had
some oratory," he said "and from the rear
platform of the trair,-s0t generally from
the windows of the car"
Governor Taft then gave in detail the
proceedings of the meetings at the various
places visited, saying that some seventeen
,1-<. ~,
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 to organize municipali-
ties. These provincial governments con-
sist, he explained. of Governor, a secre-
tary, superintendent, treasurer and a
prosecuting attorney. In all cases where
the selection could be made without arous-
ing jealouses natives had been chosen. All
these appointments are temporary. and
next month their successors will be elected.
When the factions were too strong Ameri-
cans were placed at the head of each pro-
vincial government. In all cases the treas
urer and superintendent were Americans.
The commission had first given its atten-
ton to the northern provinces and in April
started south a trip of fifty-four days
They had been received most cordially
everywhere. This remark led the witness
into a few discursive remarks on the sub
1ect of Filipino hospitality. THE Span
lard" he said, will always tell you that
his house is yours, but he does not always
mean that you should take him az his
word but the Filipino will tell you the
same thing, and he always means what he
says He will turn his. family out and in
stall you in his habitation.'
Speaking of the Island of Negros he said
ii was peculiar in its topography, and that
previous TO the coming of the commission
there was difficulty in the matter of gov
ernment. There were so many officers in
the government that OF the 100000 Mex
ican), only about $4,000 remained for other
expenses than the payment of salaries
Governor 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 rough
road. ON this monument there were statues
of Washington and Mckinley. Governor
Taft said IL had been found impossible TO
put Filipinos over the Moros. They are
subject TO their datOs, or chiefs, and refuse
to recognize the authority of a Filipino.
There were he said, two Sultans one i'm
Mindanao and the other in the Jolo group
but the Sultans do not always control their
datos. The Sultan of Mindanao is he said
very poor, but the sovereign Of the Jolos is
a thrifty man, who is constantly trying 10
increase his income and constantly getting
into row about IL.
The Jolo Sultan had. Governor Taft said.
refused TO recognize SPANS claim To any
property the islands except the customs
houses, and there is considerable question
as to the ownership in many instances.
This complication existed not only between
the Sultan and the United States, but be-
tween the Sultan and his subjects
In reply 10 Senator Hale, Governor Taft
said that no effort had been made to ex-
tend the civil government of the United
States to the Moro provinces beyond maxi
ing a few suggestions bearing on the rev
enue 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 We're generally peace
ful, the witness replied that they were
so except in individual instances There
is" he said, mo war. nor even insurrec-
tion in the Moro provinces. but there are
ccasiOnal reports Of the murder of Amer
ican soldiers" He had no knowledge of
the reported fights in Mindanao. on its
tour the commission had been attended
only by a corporafs guard on the steamer.
but there was a garrison of United States
troops at every capital visited
Governor Taft referred 10 the Federal
party in the islands. and said he had been
given petition from this party TO be pre-
sented to Congress- but had not vet de-
cided how 10 present it, The committee
adjourned 10 meet at II m. Tomorrow
Governor Taft said as he left the commit
tee room that he desired 10 return TO
Manila by May l.