The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-02-19
GOV. TAFT TO FINISH
EVIDENCE TODAY
VIII Appear Before House
Committee Tomorrow.
NO UPRISINGS In MANILA
Testified Yesterday That Accounts of
Trouble i'm City ExaEEerated-Ren-
sons for Passage of SeditiOn Laws
character of AEuinaIdO.

Governor Taft's morning lectures be-
fore the Senate Philippine Committee Oh
the past. present. and possible future of
the Philippine archipelago were resumed
yesterday.
He said that in Manila there is entire
tranquility. as there is in the islands
generally. Although there have been re-
ports of uprisings in Manila ever since
Governor Taft went to the island. and be-
fore, he stated there has never been any
such uprising since February. 1893.
He stated how and why the treason
and sedition statute was passed. 1t was
a serious question. he said, whether the
Spanish law which defined treason and
sedition against the King of Spain would
be held to apply to the United States
Government Nevertheless, no law to
remedy that had been passed until the
city of Manila was transferred from mill
tary to civil control on the 9TH of
August, 1901.
The Junta's Intention.
Very shortly afterward it had been an
nounced that the members of the junta
were coming to Manila. it being their
idea evidently that with the Introduction
of civil goaernment it would be entirely
possible To- transfer the action of the
junta from HoHgkong to Manila. Then
the treason and sedition law was passed.
The Federal and State laws were eX-
amined and Incorporated in it. with two
exceptions. One of these was the de-
nunciation of secret political societies,
and the other was making unlawful, unit
peace should be declared, the advocacy
of independence or the separation of tho
islands from the United States, whether
by forcible or peaceful means.
The reason why peaceful means were
forbidden was that, in the Tagalo and
Spanish languages. even more than in
English, it is entirely possible to make
a great show of advocacy of independ-
ence by peaceful means which would be
nothing but encouragement to the men
in arms to continue their fight for in
dependence by forcible means.
VIII Suppress the War.
In reply to a question by Mr.. Patter-
son Governor Taft said, very emphati-
cally:
I'VE propose, so far as We can, to sup
press that war by every means known to
civilized nations. 1t is not a question
of theory or of argument as to consti.
tutOnal rights where there is no insur-
rection. 1t is quc 1tiOn of putting down
something which is doing great injury t.
the Filipino people, and we propose to do
it, if our power extends to that degree"
He further explained that the transfer
OF Manila from military to civil control
necessitated the passage of the sedition
law, because. before such transfer. mill
tary co'.rts were in operation and were
capable O. dealing with the question, but
they ceased when the transfer took place.
Have you ever talked with Aguinal-
do2'' Mr.. Patterson asked.
NO, sir" Governor Taft replied: che
sent word to the Commission that while
he was in custody of the military he did
not feel like calling on the Commission"
The killing of General Luna.
The assassination of the Filipino Cen
eraI Luna having been referred to, Gov
ernor Taft said:
Il have always understood that the
killing of Luna was due to a very decided
difference of opinion between him and
ASuinaldo. and the formation of what
Aguinaldo thought was conspiracy
against him
Replying to enquiries as to Aguinaldo,
Governor Taft said:
4 think that Aguinaldo is probably the
best known name in the islands. That
his personality is not generally known by
his people | am very confident. The re-
moval OF the general impression that he
had some divine method of avoiding either
injury or capture has very much affected
his prestige among the people.
"Aguinaldo is a man of dignity. He is
a man of limited education. He is a man
who knows how to keep his own counsel
(Which is not widespread trait with the
Filipinos), and he is man who under
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and has the power of reconciling leaders
who are ieaious of each other and of
avoiding jealousy himself That he has
any idea of civil liberty or any kind of
liberty | have no reason to think
We have proceeded without regard to
Agunaldo He is a prisoner. with much
freedom to go about where he desires
but he has never awaited himself OF the
privilege"
Origin of AguinaIdo.
Enquired of as to the race to which
Aguinaldo belongs. Governor Taft said:
He is what they call an Indio. Ordi-
narily the term mestizo is applied to peo
pie OF Spanish mixed origin; but the Chi
nese mestizo is usually regarded as an In
dian
Mr. Carmack-Would It be wise for
Congress to declare that the incorpora-
ton OF ten or twelve million Malays at
any future time would endanger the char
acter of our Government?
Governor Taft-That depends altogether
on the effect of what we do. | can con-
ceive that the people there can become so
well educated, and can so understand our
form of government that it might not be
injurious to the Commonwealth to take
them in. But whether that point will
ever be reached or not is a question about
which there will be a great deal of doubt
until experiment is tried.
The committee adjourned till today.
which is to conclude the present hearing,
Governor Taft is to appear before the
House Philippines Committee tomorrow.