The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1902-02-05
TAFT ON PHILIPPINES
Governor of the Islands An
swers Many Questions.
MAJORITY OF NATIVES FOR PEACE.
Not Much Reliance to be Placed ON
Reports by Private Letters.
The War Has Been Com
ducted Hulnnneiy.

WASHINGTON, Feb 5.GOvern0r
Taft continued his narrative before tue
senate committee on the Philippines
concerning conditions in the Philippine
archipelago.
Governor Tag said that the great
majority Of the people of the islands
desire peace and thai the iilsurrection-
lists were by their acts preventing the
mass of the people from settling down
and earning quiet living Instead of
being allowed to do this they were
kept under Il system Of terrorism which
should be stopped.
Governor Taft took mp and analyzed
the ar'ny''s work in the Islands. lie re-
called that as soon rs General Ots had
received p-enf0rcements sufficient for
his purposes the Philippine army had
broken M and scattered into guerrilla
bands.
In response to Il question by Senator
Patterson as TO the practices Of the
MhraheheS Governor Taft warned the
committee and others against accepting
without n great degree of allowance
ia" statements made In private letters.
II" considered most Of these as unrelia.
bic. Judging from wha, he had seen Of
them. In general ii was impossible to
prevent retail tion by private soldiers
under al) circumstances. AS a rule, the
witness said American prisoners were
trca,ed well by the Filipinos. This, SO
far as he knew, was uniformly true Of
the Filipino officers who We're high In
command. There were some cases to
the contrary on the part of subordi-
nate Filipino officers. He had not, he
said IN reply to question from Sena-
tor Culberson, known anything of the
reports Of the killing Of Filipino pris-
oners with the knowledge of General
Metcalf Of Kansas. Governor Taft said
that not withstanding he was not in an
attitude OF favor 10 military rule it was
still his deliberate judgement that
never had war been conducted in
which more compa ssion, more restraint
and more generosity had been exhibit
ed than in connection with the Amcri-
can war Iii the Philippines"
In this connection Senator Cuberson
made inquiry concerning the effect Of
the policy of concentration in the Phil
ippaes. Replying, Governor Taft said
that General Bells order for concen-
tration had been published since his de.
parture from Manila. He, however.
had talked with General Bell on that
point and had told him that he did not
consider such an order necessary, be-
cause he was of opinion that a proper
degree Of pressure brought to bear on
the wealthy men of Batangas would
have the effect OF causing the province
to yield without making sweeping Or
der of concentration.
After reading part Of General Bells
order Senator Culberson asked if he
still entertained the same opinions pre-
vlously expressed as to the military
policy in the Philippines. 10 this Gov
ernor Taft replied: THE war has been
all over these islands, and that which
remains is a crime against civilization.
1t Is also a crime against the Filipino
people to keep up u state of war under
the circumstances. They have worn
out the right to nny treatment but that
which Is severe and within the laws of
war"
In conclusion Governor Taft was
questioned concerning the acts of the
Philippine commission for the punish.
ment Of treason, but he expressed de-
sire to postpone discussion Of this mat
ter to time when more attention could
be given it. He had not he said, been
present when this law was enacted,
but he had an opinion on the subject
which he would be glad to give.
The committee then adjourned for
the day.