The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-07
REDUCE DUTIES and
BUY FRIARS' LANDS
Civil Governor Taft Says Both
Are Urgent.
POLITICAL EFFECT ON NATIVES
no Single Thing Interests the FIJI
pInOs More. He Says, Than Pres
ent Land Question.
POLITICAL EFFECT ON NATIVES

Civil Governor Taft, in his testimony
before the Senate Committee on the
Philippines today. recommended a reduc-
tion Of the tariff on imports from ire
Philippines fer the political effect such
action would have in the Islands. He also
declared the purchase Of the agricultural
lands held by the friars would remove
the greatest present cause OF irritation 20
the natives. Governor Taft said;
Motive for Tariff Revision.
cone Of the strongest motives for ask
ing a reduction Of the DingIey rates on
imports from the Philippines was, as ]
said yesterday, d sentimental reason
What ! meant was that every evidence of
the desire Of the American people to help
the Filipino people we Of the Commis-
sion will welcome, because il viii be in
the line Of what we are attempting to DO
there. It viii be an object lesson Of the
friendliness OF the United States towards
them.
with regard also to our statement IN
our report that the effecs would be iu-
mediate and that The trade between the
United States and the Philippines would
increase by leaps and bounds, 1 desire
10 say that il is doubtful whether the
effect would be felt az once because Of
the lack Of transportation facilities be-
tween the two countries. and other rca-
sons. There Is no doubt that in a rea-
scnabIe time Fl would be Of great ad-
vantage 20 the farmers. and they are all
farmers in the,Phnippines. whether they
are sugar planters or tobacco raisers-
Heavy Reduction Favored.
81 am not Withdrawing the recommen-
dation. should on the contrary. be glad
10 have the reduction made 70 per cent
instead Of 90 per cent Ny reason for
using the word 'sentimentality' had a par
ticuIar reference to the political effect
such action would have IN assisting in the
pacifcation OF the islaHcs by showing the
kindly intentions Of the United States. II
would undoubtedly also be Of practical
benefit TO the archipelago ] do not think
bit advisable that the reduction should be
made temporary, as was the case with
regard to Porto Rico"
The Chairman (Mr. Lodge)-Do you
consider it important TO buy the friars'
lands, or TO make arrangements for ac-
tual settlers on them?
Governor Taft-Yes. sir; 1 do. I do not
think that any one thing which Congress
has been invited to do is Of more inmi-
nent Importance than that. The people
are against the friars as political enc
mics, and as land owners I believe that
by the purchase Of their lands we can
satisfy the people and avoid the agrarian
questions that viii otherwise arise.
Most Important Question.
The Chairman-Is there any single
thing in which the Filipinos are more in
terested than IN getting rid Of this land
situation?
Governor TAFT - Nothing. There IS
nothing which gives so much trouble
and arouses the hostility Of the people
more quickly. In Cayite, where there are
125, 900 acres. the instructions have al
ways started, and the reason has always
been the objections of the people TO the
friars. The people who are now occupy
ing these lands refuse TO pay rent and
law suits are necessary to enable the
friars to collect The idea OF free pos
session Of the lands is Of course gettin2
more popular and il will grow. unless We
do something very quickly, until the feel
ing Will affect other owners Of lands We
will have an agrarian question to meet
I favor buying the lands and then sell
ing them to the people.