Evening star., 1902-03-04
ONE FOURTH SLAVES
Estimate Regarding the
Southern Moro Islands.
GOV. TAFT EXAMINED
THOUGHT THOSE IN sERvITUDB
NUMBERED $50, 900.
Gen. Hughes Tells Senate Committee
About the Massacre in Samar
Last September.

The extent of slavery in the Philippines
was discussed by Gov. Taft before the
House insular committee today in response
to questions by members. He said slavery
| was confined to the southern Moro Islands.
The investigation made by Gov. Taft and
his associates had brought out that the
slaves included men, women and children.
who were slaves for debt, according to the
statements made by the datos. The slaves
could buy their liberty, but until this was
done the condition ran from generation to
generation. The slaves were members Of
the family and the relation was compare
lively mild, if it was possible to consider
any form of slavery as mild. Gov. Taft
said Dato Mandi had already abolished
slavery by decree How effective this was
could not be stated.
1T indicates" said Gov. Taft, "how will
ing they are to consider desires and
the possibilities of eradicating the system"
The civil authorities had never recogniz-
ed slavery in any way, he said, and the
military had always released slaves. But
the slaves did not understand the advan-
tage of liberty, and Gov. Taft said that II
we attempted to end slavery by force we
would probably find the slaves turning
their guns against us. The influence of the
United States was, however, growing
stronger and stronger for the eradication
OF slavery. Although our wishes had been
made known, yet neither the civil or mill
tary authorities had said slavery must
cease or war would be made.
Representative Patterson ofTennessee ask
ed the number Of slaves. Gov. Taft replied
that he and his associates had sought to
learn the number, with the idea that we
might buy them and avert an exercise or
force. But when the natives learned TINS
they all represented themselves as slaves
The governor estimated about one-tourtn
of this southern population as slaves, or
from 30, 600 to 100000, in population OF
nrtrn
many sultans there were, Gov. Taft an
swered that sultans and datOs were as
numerous as barons in Germany or Justices
of the peace in the United States.
In reply to a question by Mr.. Patterson.
Governor Taft stated that the slaves were
punished by their masters and whipping
was not unknown to them, although there
was little severity. The slaves We're SUBJ
! iect to sale but he did not know of any
separating of mothers from their children
To a question from Chairman Cooper as
| to whether American women should go to
| the Philippines. Governor Taft said they
would be helpful as teachers, but he did
| not encourage the idea that they should
go in large numbers.
Cost Of Maintaining Islands.
Representative Sibley of Pennsylvania
asked what annual charge on the United
States would be made for the maintenance
of the Philippines.
Gov Taft answered that there was no
reason why the United States should be
called upon to pay anything toward the
| expenses of the insular government, except
for military operations. There was now
| S. 600 600 in gold on hand and only $2,No.0O
debt in sight. The outlook was for consld-
| erable income from customs, etc. He looked
| for a large increase of American trade IN
canned goods. cotton and machinery
II think we may come back to Congress
| and ask modification of the tariff on ma
| chinery," Gov. Taft said 1T is too high.
| particularly on electrical machinery.
The hearing will continue tomorrow
Conditions in Samar.
In his testimony before the Senate COM
mittee on the Philippines today GenesaA
| Hughes related the particulars Of the>mas-
sacre at Balangiga, Samar, last September
| He took upon himself the responsibility ior
| the sending of troops to that post ana ior
| the selection of the officer who was placed
| in command. Il had known him ior
years. he said: "he was fine officer anu
| I had every confidence in him" GeneraI
Hughes said, however, that he was coz
WINGED the disaster was due to oter,cohn-
dence and he had since heard that the OK
ficer in command had reposed too great
| trust in the natives while serving in Luzon,
| but he was not aware of this trait OF the
mans character before giving HIM the post
| at Balangisa.
sneaking of the native soldiers, General
| Hughes said they generally did well, but
| should not be trusted except under COM
mand Of American SuperiOrS.
General Hughes, in response to question:
| ing by Senators Rawlins and Culbers0n.
! said that the killing and mutilation OF the
| American soldiers was done by native IN
| surrectos and not by the insurgent soldiers.
| Replying to question by Mr. Lodge.
General Hughes said it would be long
| time before the Viscayans would be quail
| fed to run civil government of their own.
| He also said that a republic there would
| not live long, because t~would be seized
| by some other power.
An adjournment was taken until tomor-
row. at which time General Hughes VIII
conclude his statement.