New-York tribune., 1902-02-06
GOVERNOR TAFT TELLS OF
THE PROGRESS MADE.
RELATIONS BETWEEN CIVIL AND MILL
TARY AUTHORITIES EXPLAINED
CHARACTERISTICS OF
THE NATIVES
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l ]
THE NATIVES.

nal rroeress made in substituting civil for mill
tsry rule IN the various pacified sections Of the
archipelago The Governor explained with
frankness the causes Of friction between the
military and the civil governments. and de-
clared that after some not very serious collis-
ions the military authorities had come to admit
the propriety Of a gradual transfer Of local ad-
ronisrrative powers to the representatives of
the civil branch The conflict which had arisen
over the concession of the right OF habeas cor
pus was referred to, and its amicabe settlement
was declared by Governor Taft to be proof of
the cordial relations now existing between the
heads Of the civil and military departments. He
also gave the committee interesting analysis
Of the Filipino character, which he asserted was
much misunderstood in this country.
Governor Taft said that originally the civil
and military control OF the islands had been
IN the hands Of the military and that nat
1lrally there had been some difference Of opinion
between the military authorities and the COM
mission as to the method OF proceeding. This
difference had arisen with General Macarthur.
and there had been more or less correspondence
on the subject The general had contended
that authority over the islands was vested in
the military as the representative of the chief
executive, because the islands were in a state
Of war In this view the commission did not
concur This difference did not however.
tend TO the control of the munich palities.
CONFLICT OVER HABEAS CORPUS.
Governor Taft explained at some length the
contention between the commission and Cen
eral Chafee, which had, he said. arisen
the habeas corpus provision in the commits
sion's code. That provision had been inserted.
he said, TO protect native officers who surrender
and who subject TO arrest charges Of
crimes committed while in the insurgent SER
vice believed 10 be contrary to the rules OF
civilized warfare. Such charges against the
men were common, and they were often un-
founded. The provision had however been in
voked fl the interest Of an enlisted man serving
in Cebu, who was seeking TO secure release from
the military service in an indirect way. Thus
q conflict had arisen. and the question had been
referred TO Washington, with the result that in
etructons had come back that the differences
must be compromised. General Chaffee and
are on the friendliest and most cordial terms,'
he said, ''and had difficulty in reaching
an understanding after prolonged conference
Our compromise was reached on the understand
ing that writ Of habeas' corpus would not lie
against military officers, civilian employe Of
the military branch or a prisoner of war"
There had been some differences OF opinion
as 10 other matters IN the method of admin
istration, and. naturally, the natives were more
favorably inclined toward the civil government,
because they We're represented by men OF their
nationality in that branch of the service,
while the army was principally concerned in
bringing the war to end. He thought how
ever, that the military authorities were coming
10 look with more favor the civil institu-
tons
WOMEN SUPERIOR TO THE MEN.
In reply to a question, Governor Taft said
there are thirty-four organized and fifteen un-
organized provinces. In answer TO a question
by Senator Patterson, he said IL not true
that the majority of the people can read and
write. As TO the position of women in the ISL
ands, ne said that the women Of the Philippines
hold superior position They are the active
managers in general affairs. and the Spanish
archbishop had said to him that If it in
tended 10 confer any political authority on the
Filpinos il should be conferred on the women.
Is il not true" interrupted Senator Dietrlch,
VINO has visited the Philippines that while the
women are engaged in conducting the affairs Of
the family the men are generally engaged in
attending cock fights or going about the country
with roOsters under their arms?"
Mr.. Patterson, in answer, read from war
Department reports to the effect that the
Tagalogs are industrious, courteous, artistic,
quiet and orderly Governor Taft said that he
had never met a Filipino who was not musi-
clan, and he added: "All Filipino crowds are
well behaved and polite, and the people are
courteous. The Filipino also shows capacity for
skilled labor, but he is negligent of machinery.
wish il true that the Filipino is as In
dustrious as IS claimed; but he is not. Indeed,
there many OF them who might secure work
who DO not seek il. This condition leads TO
demand for the bringing in Of Chinese
This statement led Senator Hale TO inquire
concerning the presence Of Chinese. Governor
Taft replied that the contractors and business
men generally contend for the necessity or
bringing in Chinese labor. This importation
was, however generally resented by the natives,
not so much because of the competition Of the
Chinese as laborers because Of their compe-
ction merchants. The Chinaman generally
saved his wages, and in few months would
establish a store the result being that the next
door neighbor who is native, will be driven
cut Under the present regulations no Chinese
are admitted.
THE FRIARS' LANDS.
Replying TO other questions. Governor Taft
said that in the islands there are about 100000
acres Of land held by private persons. and that
NJ this 10000 acres are owned by the Catholic
friars. Of these 100000 acres. 250,Oo0 are the
best lands in the islands.
As 70 the honesty of the native Filipinos. Gov
ernor Taft said that many exaggerated and ex-
treme pictures had been drawn. They were
neither so bad good they had been
represented. Many We're arrested for theft, and
there also were charges of treachery and du-
plcity. That some are dishonest and others
uouble faced was true. but that all present these
en- cthsracteristlcs was not true. Hence no general
characterization was possible
referring TO the order Of concentration in
BataEgas. Governor Taft said he had been mis-
understood yesterday in saying that he had
advised General Bell against it. He had rec