Evening star., 1902-02-17
Opportunity for Demagogues.

In reply to questions. Governor Taft said
he agreed with General Funston that the
establishment of popular aSSembiage
would give opportunity to demagogues to
stir up the people, but that he did not in
clude in this designation all persons who
are opposed to American control. There
are. he said, many men in the islands who
cOnscientiOuSly oppose the domination OF
the United States. To grant independence
would. he thought, have the effect of con-
signing the !N per cent of uneducated peo-
pie in the islands to the same servile posi-
tion they held under Spanish rule. He
thought there should be declaration on
the part of the United States of its in
tention to hold the islands indefinitely with
the understanding that when they are suit
able for such a condition they may be
given a observation-disclosures Such a pro-
nouncement by this country would be well
coined by many and would do much good.
Many Of the common people do not, he
said. know the difference between inde-
pendence and dependence and many of the
better Informed have not followed the agl-
taticn for independence TO its last analysis:
Some of the agitators seem, he said, to
count upon a prOtectorate by the United
States If the government Of the islands
should now be turned over to the islanders
themselves there would be nothing less
than an absolute olisarchy, they having no
idea OF civil government.
Different From Other Malay Races.
Replying to Senator Rawlins, Gov. Taft
advanced the idea that on account of the
fact that the Filipinos have for 200 years
been under the influence of the Christian
religion they would prove to be different
from other Malay races. and that in time,
under the influence of American education,
the people might become capable of self
government. He did not consider the case
as parallel with that presented in India.
He thought all the difficulties of race and
climate might be overcome but held that it
would take time and require much patience
in the matter of training on our part. He
anticipated some trouble on account of un-
due or illegal exploitation of the islands and
corruption in case of continued American
occupation. but he would not on account of
this danger turn the islands back to the
fate of an Oligarchy so long as there is a
probability of success. there is In this
case.
II did not originally favor the acquisition
time that we got them, but now that we
are there see no other way than to go on
and carry ont the plan that l have sug-
geSted. / may be Mark Tapley in this
matter" he continued, but if l didn't be-
lieve that we could bring these people out
regardless of the fact that the feat we pro-
pose Is to an extent unprecedented-if l
didn't believe we should succeed in doing
what we are undertaking to do, l should
resign immedia tely and come home"
Unite Example and Practice.
Proceeding. he said that his idea was to
unite example and actual practice in the
American control of the islands, and he
believed that the result must be the uplift-
ing and education of the people to a point
which would put them on plane far above
that which is at present occupied. He be-
lieved that then they would find the asso-
citation with the United States so profita BILE
and agreeable that they would not want to
sever the relationship. and that possibly the
relationship might continue perpetually
The committee then adjourned for the
daY