The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-18
TAFT CONTINUES STORY
GOVERNOR OF PHILIPPINES
 STILL TEsTIFYINo.
He Does Not Consider the Case of
 India Parallel With That of. the Archipeiaso-Infiuence 5's of Christianity.

Washington, Feb. 17.-Governor Taft, in his testimony before the Senate Com mittee on the Philippines, stated more suceinctly than, he has heretofore done his theorys which is. he said. also tho theory of the Philippine Commission. as to what Congress should do in the way oi supplying the Philippine people with form of government. His plan IS nrs' to give the people 8 qualified sunrage with a gradual growth in popular govern ment, which should be enlarged through education in the English language and in American institutions. Second, to institute within reasonably short time a local legislature to consist of two bodies. one to be chosen by vote and the other to be appointivei thtre, tf permit the islands to send two or three representatives to Washington, ' As. In reply to questions Goyernnr Taft said he agreed with General Funston that the establishment of popular as' semblage would give opportunities to demAgogues to stir up the people. but that he did not include in his desiena- ton all persons who are opposed to American control. There are. he said many. men in the islands whosconscien- tiously oppose the domination Of the United states, To grant Independence he said would have the effct of constgn- ing 90 per cent, of the uneducated people of..the islands to the same servile condi' tion they had under Spanish rule.
 He thought there should be declara' tion on. the part of the United States to hold the islands indefinitely with the understanding that when they are suita- ble for such condition they may Dc given a quasi-independence. .t
 Such .prcnopncement by this country
 hx,s mi and would do much good.
 Many of the common people do not, he said, know the difference between in- dependence and dependence and many !of the better informed have not followed the agitation for independence to US last analysis. Some of the agitators seem to count upon protectorate by the United States. If the government of the islands should now be turned over to the islanders themeslves there would be nothing less than an aosoiuteiy oligarchy. { They have no idea or CIVIL government, <
 Replying to Senator Rawlins. Governor Taft advanced the idea that on account of the fact that the Filipinos have for BOO years been under the influence Of Fth9 Christian religion. they would prove to be- different from other Malay races. and that in time, under the influence Of Amer ican education. the people might become capable of self-goyernment. He sdid pot consider the case as parallel with that presented in India. He thought all the difficulties oi race and climate migm pc overcome, but held that 1t would, take time and require much patience In the matter of training on our part. He anti clpated some trouble on account of undpe or illegal exploitation of the islands and corruption in case of continued American occupation. but he would not on account of this danger. turn the islands back to the fate of an oligarchy so long as there is a probability of success as there Is in this case I did not originally favor tT- acquisition of the Philippines. and I was sorry at the time that we got them. but now that we arc there, I see no other way than to go on and carry out the plan I have suggested. I may be Mark Tapley in this matter he continued, but if did not believe that We could bring these people out regardless of the fact that tho feat We propose is to an extent unprecedented-if I did not be- lieve we should succeed in doing what we are undertaking to do. l should resign immediately and come home" ,s.
 His idea was to unite example and actual practice in the American control of the islands, and he believed that the result would be the uplifting and the ed- ucation of the people to a point which would put them on plane far above that which is at present occupied. He believed that then they would find tho association with the United States so profitable and agreeable that they would not want to sever the relations and pos sibiy tho relationship might continue perpetually. The committee then ad, journed for the day.