New-York tribune., 1902-02-04
PHILIPPINE PROBLEMS.
GOVERNOR TAFT DESCRIBES
THE COMMISSIONS WORK.
NATIVES GRADUALLY BROUGHT TO SEE
THE REAL MEANING OF AMERI-
CAN RULE-NoT FIT FOR
INDEPENDENCE
GBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1RUxE.l

A-NDIII ENDENCE.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BUNEl
washington, Feb. Ex-Governor Taft's testi-
iiiohy To-Day before the Philippine Committee
VI 'Ile senate went somewhat more directly and
ueeply into the problems Of government in the
philippines than did his talks of Friday and
saturday. Taking up the record of the Civil
commission, Of which he Is the head, he de-
Scr1bed the gradual restorati of confidence
which had followed the substitution in an in
creaslng measure of the civil fer the military
powera BY manifesting its purpose to give the
Filipino the largest possible share of political
responsibility, it had attracted a substantial
native support without which little progress
toward stable government could have been
hoped for Through kindliness and lberalty in
administration the more intelligent Fipinos had
been brought to see the true meaning of Ameri-
can rule, and through a general system Of edu-
cation it was planned to reach finally and enlist
the sympathy of the vast native majority Gov
ernor Taft emphatically and unhesitatingly
pressed the opinion that in the present condition
Of the native population any experiment at in
dependent native government would prove
absolute failure.
Answering question by Mr.. Lodge, Governor
Taft described the condition of the island OF
Samar, where the people are still in insurrecton.
and said he was not prepared TO state that this
island never wholly subjected to Spanish
rule. He then described the qualifications neces-
sary for elector in the towns where the COM
mission had established governments. These
were that such persons shall speak and write
English or Spanish, or have filled a municipal
office under Spanish rule. or pay SIS gold taxes
a year.
EFFECT OF CIVIL RULE.
Governor Taft then began general narrative
of the work Of the commission. When the COM
mission arrived at Manila they found the people
divided into three classes-those in favor of the
exclusion Of American sovereignty altogether
the Spanish party in favor of this government.
and large body of ignorant people, who were
entirely Indifferent. The instructions TO the
commission. which gradually placed more power
in the civil government. had had marvellous
effect the people. The insurrection had been
most active in September preceding the cleo
tions in this country. with the view of in
fuencing them. and for this reason It had been
difficult to bring the F tipinos to a discussion of
legislation which the commission was enacting.
There was no doubt to what the policy of
the United States would he. THE subordinate
military officers he continued, were a little
bit contemptuous OF what we doing. be-
cause it seemed TO play so unimportant part in
the situation: but when the power over the purse
strings began 10 tighten in the matter OF appro-
priations those gentlemen who We're spending
the islands funds began appreciate that
there some power behind the commission"
EDUCATION THE CHIEF NEED.
Governor Taft said 1t would be found in
vestigation that the surrenders by the insur-
gents Of arms and men were far in excess of
the actual captures by the military. The
municipal code was not put into operation. he
said until after the Presidential election in the
United States because OF the unsettled condi-
ton of affairs but as soon as it became known
the people that the commission had thought
it wise to provide for the election of governors.
which occur next month, the Filipinos focked
to them with expressions of qualification The
theory of the commission in the formation of
civil government is that indispensable aid
to the ultimate success of popular government
is the extension of education, but the effect Of
this could not be felt for a generation, until the
children had grown to manhood. There were,
he said one thousand adults engaged IN the
study of English. "In the mean time" said he,
"the reliance of the commission is on the small
educated portion Of the community. who form
a nucleus abOIt which, with the aid of Ameri-
can control we think stable government can
be erected" He could assert without hesita-
tion, he said. that, lacking American initiative
and American knowledge of how to carry on
government, any government there must be
complete failure.
In explanation of the obstacles to the COM
plete tranquility of the islands, with the eXcep-
tion of Samar Ratangas and Laguna, he said
that the lack of quarters for the troops which
was the of their being brought into close
contact with the people, the principal one,
and he urged that such quarters be provided
NATIVES WON OVER BY KINDNESS.
Governor Taft declared that the chief aim of
the commission was the good of the Filipino
people and that the commissioners had con-
stantly endeavored to gain their confidence In
this they had been successful the people De
Ueving they will have the best government pos
sibIe and be secure in the enjoyment OF their
rights He sought to prove the susceptibility OF
the Filipinos to kindness by the results achieved
nv the commission 1t was not hard' ne Sald,
n exnIain the attitude Of the F1lipinos toward
tbe army because they could not be expected 10
love the instrument by which punishment is In
hicted them ,., 49,
Governor Taft discussed at some length the
different parties which had ben formed In the
Philippines The Federal party, he SAID was the
one which represented peace and influence.
The committee adjourned until tomorrow
when Governor Taft will continue MS statement
WANTS RECOMMENDATION STOPPED.
A PETITION TO THE SENATE TO ASK FOR
SUSPENSION OF HosTILITIEs IN
THE PHILIPPINES.
A petition to the United States Senate is being