The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-02-11
Governor Promises That the Army
in the ISLANDS viii Be Re-
duced to 80, 600 Men-Asks
to Be Excused From An
SWeFing,
HAsHNGToN. Feb. 1o.-During

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.-During
w Governor Tsfrs narrative today
he was closely questioned and
~ one instance was pressed so hard he
begged to be excused from answering.
Has the commission ever recon-
mended the admission Of Chinese?"
asked Senator Lodge.
Inc reply was an emphatic negative.
IN answer TO questions from Sen
I ator Carmack and other Democratic
members of the committee, Governor
Taft said the Philippine commission
hdu been criticised from both sides.
But" lie went on. II think that in
the main the effort Of our position has
been 70 convince the people that we
are there to aid their development and
tlat our work mas thus far had the
eject OF increasing confidence. There
IS no doubt however, IL 1t much fear
is aroused over the prospect of the eX-
ploltation Of the islands by the ATneri-
can people The fear is, generally voiced
{ by the insurgents, and one also hears
II from others who do not sympathize
with those who would make trouble for
us"
Senator Carmack asked what would
pc the effect Of expressions Of utter
contempt for the Filipinos by Republi-
can orators. and referred to speech
which he said had been made by a
United States senator placing the ma
tive b1lipinos on a level intellectually
with Caribao bulls.
Republican Utteranees Harmful.
Governor Taft said that any article
which would have the effect of arous-
ing the Filipinos usually finds its way
10 the Philippine islands, and ne illus
trated this remark by saying that the
recent utterances of "A member of con-
gfsss derogatory 10 the character of
the Philippine people already had
found their way to the archipelago and
mad caused considerable discussion in
the native press.
The FilipinOs are a sensitive peo-
pie he said, ''and resent any impeach-
ment OF their intelligence. They do not
like TO be characterized as savages.'
or bulls" interjected Mr.. Carmack.
raft. ~
In this connection Senator Lodge
asked as to the effect of utterances
calculated to encourage the Filipinos
to resist the authority of the United
States, g which the reply was:
such utterances are great obstacle
to the success of our efforts"
Senator Patterson made an inquiry
as to the effect of Senator Hoar's re-
cent speech in the senate.
That speech he said. was full of
sympathy for The FilipinOs: if circu-
lated in the Philippines. would it not
subject it's author to arrest and inn
prisonment?"
Begs to be Excused.
To this inquiry several senators at
the Republican end of the table made
vigorous protest, and among them
Chairman Lodge, who said he did not
think it just to Governor Taft to place
him in the position of characterizing
on criticising the speech of any indi-
viduai senator. Senator Hale, however
expressed the opinion that such 0ues-
tons would be legitimate when it came
TO discussing the statutes of the in
sular government. Governor Taft
begged tn be excused from replying TO
this question at this time
There was more or less discussion as
60 the presence of American troops in
the islands, and Senator Lodge drew
from Governor Taft the explanation
that the military force Of the United
States had been reduced from Il 600 to
1000 troops. The governor added that
he had been informed by the secretary
of war that il was the intention TO re
duce the force in the immediate future
to 10000.
Has the withdrawal OF troops pro
duced trouble?" asked Mr.. Lodge.
'On the contrary" replied Governor
Tart. In the pacified provinces the
effect has been tOincraase tranquility
The committee adjourned until next
Friday, in order to give Governor Taft
an opportunity TO make visit to New
York
Governor Taft left this evening for
New York for the purpose of consult
ing specialists with regard 10 the treat
ment Of the malady from which he is
suffering. This is one OF the main rea-
sons for his trip home from the Phil
ippines. His cOnoition while there ne
cessitated two operations. and it is now
feared that he may be required to I'M
dergo another one. the others not hav-
ing effected the desired result 1t is
the present purpose Of Judge Taft to
return TO this city Wednesday.
Since his arrival in Washington. Gov
ernOr Taft has been the guest of Sec
rotary Root. and the two officials had
further conference in regard to the
situation in the Philippines this after
noon.