Evening star., 1902-02-18
Manila@the Resort Of Con-
spirators.
NEW SEDITION LAWS
AIMED AT THE SUPPRESSION OF
TREAsoNABLE SOCIETIES.
Little Danger Of Personal Violence in
ManilaIzov. Taft Heard by Senate
Committee on Philippines.

Goyernor Taft cf the Philippines today
continued his discussion of the question Of
Tranquility I'm the archipelago before the
Senate Committee on the Philippines. He
said that the recent massacre Of troops In
Samar had Astartling effect upon the army
and created suspicion and fear of treaeh-
cry in other sections. The governor did not
think, however, such apprehension justified
and said he felt as safe IN Manila as in
Washington. Civilians seldom carry arms
there.
With this remark Governor Taft passed
from the consideration Of the question Of
tranquility to a discussion of the treason
ana sedition laws. In this connection he
said that while Manila is quiet and has
been practically ever since the Ameri
can occupation. it is still used as center
OF agencies for the promotion OF insurrec
ton. There was always there a party OF
irfeconcilables Nothing had, he said been
done for the enactment of such laws until
the establishment of the civil government
II then became evident that the Filipino
Junfa was preparing to locate In that city,
making that point the center for their pro-
directed to prepare law on this subject
and had done So
Dangerous Secret Societies.
The denunciation Of secret societies had
been inserted. he said. because they had
been made the chief instrument OF agita-
tfon against the United States The COM
mission had felt that secret societies We're
one of the most fruitful aids to the war and
had taken the position that political agita-
ton should be confined to open meetings
and prevented in oath-bound societies. If
the people understood the question there
could be no objection to peaceable agita-
ton. but under the circumstances the COM
mission had felt that "the suspension of
the right to advocate independence was not
such a deprivation of the right of free
speech as could not be justified by the pres
ence OF war, when for the benefit OF the
whole people it should be suppressed. At
least one Of the societies had for one OF its
main purposes assassination, being thus
like the Malta
I'm other words. 1t was a quasi war meas
ure?' suggested Senator BeyerIdge, and
Governor Taft assented.
Replying to a question from Senator Pat
terson as to whether il. was the intention
to go farther in this direction. Governor
Taft replied: I'VE propose to do all that
we can do that IS Known to civilized nations
to put down this war, which is such a great
injury to the Philippine people," He said
he had not given personal attention to the
phraseplogy OF the sedition laws, and he
had no doubt that when peace should be re-
stored section 10 would be repealed
Speaking of Aguinaldo having Gen. Luna
assassinated.l Gov. Taft said that under
the common la there is scarcely an insur-
rectiep general who could not be punished
Tor assisting In securing the murder of
other .Fuipinos 1t IS the way they have OF
getting rid OF men who do not agree with
them"
Effect of Aguinaldo's Capture.
Gov. Taft said he had never seen Aguln-
aldo,s and he had never considered it his
duty to investigate Luna's death. Speaking
Of Agufnaldo's personality. Gov. Taft said
that while his name Is probably known
better than that Of any other man in the
islands. his personality is not familiar to
the people. His capture he continued.
lin the face of the general impression that
he was divlnely protected against capture
or injury. seriously affected his prestige
Personally he Is a man Of dignity, though
Of limited education. He knows how to
keep his own counsel and Understands the
failings Of the Fiiipinos He knows how to
reconcile the differences Of leaders and how
he has any idea of civil liberty or Of any
kind Of liberty have no reason to believe"
The days investigation concluded with
the understanding that the committee
would require the presence Of Gov. Taft at
only one or two more sittings.
Another Province Organized.
Governor Taft stated to the committee
that he has received cable message from
Commissioner Wright. who Is acting as
governor Of the Philippines In his absence,
stating that the province of Nueva Viz
caya in the northern part Of Luzon had
just been organized and given a civil form
Of government There are now about
thirty-fve organized provinces Nueya
Vizcaya has been pacitied for some time
but about 10000 of its $1,000 population are
Igorrotes. Governor Taft said he did not
know what form Of government had been
given the province. but that he supposed
that under the circumstances 1t would be
of a paternal nature.