New-York tribune., 1902-02-18
SUFFRAGE FOR FILIPINOS.
GOVERNOR TAFT OUTLINES HIS PLAN
OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
MATE SUCCESS OF THE EXPERIMENT
HE IS CONDUCTING.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

10y TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBCNE1
Washington Feb. 17.-Governor Taft indicat-
ed to-day before the Senate Philippine Commit
tee the lines which, in his opinion, the political
education of the Filipino people should pursue.
He advocated the gradual relaxation of CEN
tralized rule; the fostering of a spirit of local
self government through the institution of ma
tional legislature. the lower branch of which
should be purely elective; the enlargement of
all facilities for popular education, and the rec
ognition at Washington of official delegation
to voice the archpelagos political needs and
aspirations. OF the ultimate success of the
American experiment in the Philippines Cover
Taft declared that he firmly convinced.
Governor Taft stated more succinCty than he
has heretofore done his theOry-which is, he
said, also the theory of the Philippine Commits
sion-as to what Congress should do in the way
of supplying a form of government for the Fill
pinos. His plan is. first. to give the people
qualified suffrage. with a gradual growth In pop
ular government. which should be enlarged
through education in the English language and
in American institutions; second, TO institute
within a reasonably short time local legisla-
ture. to consist of two bodies one to be chosen
by vote and the offer to be appointive third. 70
permit the islands send two or three repre-
sentatVeS to Washington.
LOOKING TO QUASI INDEPENDENCE
In reply to questions Governor Taft said he
agreed with General Funston that the establish
ment of popular assemblage would give op-
portunity to demagogues to stir up the people,
but he did not include in this designation all
persons who 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 consigning the 90
tOf, tod he isfa To
the same servile position they held under Span
sh rule He thought there should be declara-
tion on the part of the United States of its in
tentlon to hold the islands indefinitely. with the
understanding that when they are suitable for
such condition a quasi independence may be
given to them Such a pronouncement by this
country would be welcomed by many and would
do much good Many OF the common people
do not know the difference between indepen-
dence and dependence. and many of the better
informed have not followed the agitation for
independence to its last analysis. Some of the
agitators seem. he said. TO count on a protecto-
rate by the United States. If the government
Of the islands should now he turned over to
the islanders themselves there would be moth
ing less than an absolute oligarchy. they having
no idea Of civil government.
NO OTHER WAY THAN TO co ON
Replying to Senator Rawlins Governor Taft
advanced the idea that on account Of the fact
that the Filipinos have for three hundred years
been under the influence OF the Christian
ligion. 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 Difficult
ties OF race and climate might be overcome, but
held that il would take time and require much
patience In the matter OF training part.
He anticipated some trouble account of un-
due illegal exploitation OF the islands and
corruption in case of continued American occu-
patton, but he would not account of this dan
ger turn the islands back TO the fate of
oligarchy so long there is a probability of
success as there is in this case Il did not
originally favor the acquisition OF the Philip
pines, and l was sorry at the time that got
them but now that there l see other
way than to go and carry out the plan that
I have suggested. l may be a Mark Tapley in
this natter he continued but II I didn't be-
leve that could bring these people out
gardless of the fact that the feat propose
is 10 an extent unprecedented: II l did not be-
Heve we should succeed in doing what we are
undertaking 10 do. l should resign Immediately
and come home"
Proceeding he said that his idea to unite
example and actual practice In the American
control Of the islands, and he believed that the
result must be the uplifting and the education
Of the people 10 point which would put them
a plane far above that which is at present
occupied. He believed that then they would find
association with the United States profitable
and agreeable that they would not want TO
sever the relationship, and that possibly the
relationship might continue perpetually.