New-York tribune., 1902-02-21
DUTY IN THE PHILIPPINES.
GOVERNOR TAFT SAYS 1T is IMPOSSI-
BILE TO WITHDRAW
INTERVENTION A GOOD THING FOR THE
FILIPINOs. BUT NOT FOR THIS CoUN-
TRY, HE THINKs-CLOsE OF
HIS TESTIMONY.
HIS TESTIMONY.

Washington, Feb. Ex-Governor Taft ended
his testimony before the Senate Committee on
the Philippines this afternoon. The committee
adjourned until Tuesday. with the understand
ing that General Hughes would be the next wit
ness.
Replying TO series Of questions. Governor
Taft said the intervention Of the United States
in the Philippines the best thing that could
happen for the Filipinos hut that it would have
been better for our country if we had not gone
there. He added IF the result in the end
proves to he in the interest of the general vel
fare. then we can possibly Justify ourselves on
the ground that we have taken only share
Of the burden of civilization in bringing out an
uncivilized people"
Continuing the general discussion of condi-
tions in the Philippines. he expressed the opin-
ion that trade with the United States would in
crease, and that ultimately the islands would
be self-suppOrting. even to the extent of paying
the expenses Of the United States army there.
DO you believe that what we are now doing
in the Philippines is best for the Flipinos and
for the people of the United States as welI?"
asked Senator Allison.
Il do" said Governor Taft we are pursu-
ing there the only course open to us. and it was
absolutely impossible for us TO pursue any other
course than the one did pursue and are pur-
suing there. If the Senators on the other side
Of the table (referring to the Democratic mem
bers of the committee) had been there, they
could not have done differently. and when their
party comes into power, If IT should do so, they
cannot do anything but go ahead"
If a safe and honorable opening for with
drawing from the islands should present itself
do YOU think the United States should avail
itself of it?" asked Senator Culberson.
That question assumes that there might be
such opening" replied Governor Taft. Il
don't think there will be, and I say Pos
sessed, as 1 believe I am. of the missionary
spirit, I think that should continue our
work in those islands. that are there.
and there is likelihood of finding an hon
orable way out
Abiding to what he had said yesterday con-
corning the health of the American troops in
the Philippines. Governor Taft said that much
of the sickness which does exist is due TO
poSure, and he incidentally made an appeal for
barracks and for the protection of officers and
men. He thought the high death rate of troops
in the Philippines due to the guerilla warfare.
saying that il IS impossible to get soldiers TO
observe the laws of hygiene His experience
was that the greatest danger in the matter of
health in the Philippines was found in the neg
lect Of symptoms which are not generally re-
garded as Of importance in the United States.
He knew of Europeans who had spent thirty or
forty years in the islands and are in good
health. He thought. however, that they gen
orally left the islands for several months every
two or three years. AS a rule, continued resi-
dence had the effect of causing gradual de-
terioration of health. He attributed his own
loss Of health to lack of exercise. Precautions
had been taken by the medical authorities in
the way Of supervision thought necessary for
the protection Of the troops and the public.
Governor Taft replied to number or ques-
tions by Senator Culberson concerning the ex
penses Of conducting the government of the ISL
ands. He said these expenses are much higher
than under Spanish rule and the increase would
be greater this year than IL had been last year.
For instance. while the annual expense or con-
5ucfiup of Manila under Span
ish rule was from. S500OOO to S1.oO0.GO0, Mex
lean, the present expense is about S1,5O.Oo
in gold. The increase in the total was due 70 the
fncrea Sc in salaries and to the improvement OF
the government afforded. Under Spanish rule,
he said. Salaries were very low-so low that
they We're the plainest intimation that they
Spanish officers) expected their salaries TO be
pieced out by illegal collections and squeezes,
and that they were so pieced out is indisputa-
H.