The Washington times., 1902-02-21
Governor Taft Continues
Testimony Before Sen
ate Committee.
THE ISLANDS IN THE TROPICS
Health Conditions Better
Than in Cuba.
MUNICIPAL EXPENSES
The United States Only Taking Its
share of the burden of Civilized
-'eopIes to Help rnciviIized People
Our Course Inevitable.

Governor Taft, having had his engage
ment with the House Committee on For
eign Affairs Cancelled, appeared again
yesterday before the Senate Committee
on the Philippines and continued his ex-
position of matters in the Philippine ISL
ands. He gave some further information
in regard to climatic conditions.
THE islands, he said ARE in the
tropics. The tropical sun is one which
does not permit Europeans or Americans
to exercise under it with impunity There
| is good deal of danger to them. They
cannot in the Iowlands take part in agri-
culture or in any labor where they would
be exposed to the sun"
Cuba Less Healthy.
| In connection with the health of the
troops, Governor Taft questioned the cor
! rectness of the statements recently made
| in speech in the House by Mr.. Gaines.
contrasting the health conditions of Cuba
and of the Philippine Islands. Governor
| Taft said:
ANY surgeon will say that Cuba is a
harder country to live in than the Phil
ippine Islands so far as regards diseases
to Europeans and Americans
He added that there are a good many
Germans and Englishmen living in Manila
tand SDaniards. tool in excellent health,
and that he knew one Scotchman who
has been there thirty or forty years. But
it was necessary for them to take a va
cation of four or six months every couple
Of years AS to diet, his opinion is that
a good strong diet is necessary.
In the tropics ones appetite and de-
sire for sleep are both increased He
spoke of a banquet given in a Filipino
house in the country in which there were
between thirty and forty different courses.
Except for siesta in the middle of the
day the hours of work for clerks are as
long in Manila as they are in Washington
Under Spanish Rule
In reply to enquiries on the subject of
Governor Taft said that I'M
der the Spanish system every prostitute
was subject to examination, and had to
pay fee of 81 for the examination and
certificate, the money from the fees going
to the support of hospital
That system he said, has now been
changed, by order of the President and
of War. The fee has been abol-
She'd and the hospital is supported out
of public funds, and the certificate is
given to the women"
But there is no such thing the chair
nan interpcsed, "as licensing prostitu-
ion?'
Governor Taft-No, sir.
The Chairman-Do you think that 4 sys-
EN- of that sort is necessary in Manila?
Governor Taft do; not only for the
OF the troops. but for the pro-
ection of the people. What We are anx-
Gus to do is to take away any appearance
If legalizing the traffic, and at the same
ime to suppress, as lar as possible, the
pread of contagion.
Expenses in Manila.
Replying to enquiries as to the
Government expenses in the Philippine
Stands, Governor Taft said that the
expenses in Manila, which were
between half a million and a million dol
ars in silver, are now a million and a half
n gold; but he stated his belief that the
increase of expenses of the
nsular government is not so great. AS
o salaries, he said that salaries are very
Continued on Fifth Page.)