The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-02-21

Washington, February Ex-Governor
Taft. of the Philippines. today continu-
ed his discussion of the question Of the
tranquility in the archipelago before
the senate committee on the Philip
pines. He said that the recent massa-
ere Of troops in Samar had a startling
effect upon the army and created sus-
picion and fear of treachery in other
sections. The governor did not think,
however, such apprehension justified
and said he felt as safe in Manila as in
Civilians seldom carry
arms there.
With this remark Governor Taft pass
ed from the consideration of the ques-
ton of tranquility to a discussion of the
treason and sedition laws. In this con-
nection he said that while Manila Is
quiet and has been practically so ever
since the American occupation, it is
still used is a center of agencies for
the promotion of insurrection. There
was always there a party of i~rreconcil-
ables. Nothing had, he said, been done
for the enactment of such laws until
the establishment of the civil govern
ment. 1t then became evident that the
Filipino junta was preparing TO locate
in that city, making that point the cen
ter for their propaganda. General
Wright was therefore directed to pre-
pare a law on this subject and had done
SO.
The d%enunciation of secret societies
had been inserted, he said, because
they had been made the chief instru-
ment of agitation against the United
States.
The commission had felt that secret
societies were one of the most fruitful
aids to the war and had taken the posi-
ton that political agitation should be
confined to open meetings and prevent
ed in o~ath-bound societies.. If the peo>
pie understood the question there would
be no objection to p~eaceable agritation,
but under these circumstances the COM
mission had felt that suspension Of the
right to advocate independence was not
such a deprivation of the right of free
speech and could not be justified by the
presence of war, when for the benefit
of the whole people it should be sup
pressed. At least one of the societies
had for one of it's main purposes assas-
sination. being thus like the Malta.
I'm other words, it was a quasi-war
measure?" suggested Senator Believer
idge. and Governor Taft aSSented.
Replying to a question from Senator
Patterson. as to whether it was the IN
tention to go farther in this direction,
Governor Taft replied: 1--WE propose to
do all hat we can do that is known to
civilized nations to put down this war,
which is such a great injury to the
Philippine people,"
He said he had not given personal
attention to the phraseology of the sedi-
ton laws and he had no doubt that
when peace should be restored Section
10 would be repealed.
Speaking of A~guinaldo's personality,
Governor Taft said that while his
name is probably known better than
that of any other man in the islands,
his personality was not familiar to the
people. His capture" he continued,
lin the face of the general impression
that he was divinely protected against
capture or injury seriously affected his
prestige. Possibly he is a man of dig
nifty though of limited education. He
knows how to keep his own counse and
understands the failings Of the Filipi-
nos. He knows how to reconcile the
differences of leaders and how to avoid
arousing jealousy of himself. That he
has any idea of civil liberty or OF any
kind of liberty 1 have no reason to be
lieve"