The Washington times., 1902-03-05
BONDSHEB FOR Debt
In THE MORO ISLANDS
Gov. Taft Declares Condition
of Slavery Mild.
INCREASE IN SPANISH TRADE
General Hughes, Before Senate Commit
tee, Tells of the Massacre at Balon-
giga - Responsible for Selection of
Commanding Officer.


fore the House Committee on Insular AZ
fairs yesterday that there were between
250,00O and 3000G8 slaves in the Moro
group of the Philippine Islands. They
comprise, he said. about one-fourth Of
the population.
He added further that they are sub
ject to punishment by their masters, and
are sometimes whipped, although he did
not think that their treatment was gen.
orally severe. He declared, however,
that neither the civil nor the military
government of the islands had ever rec
ognized the existence of slavery in any
way.
Might Turn on Liberators.
The military commanders. he stated,
had upon a number Of occasions released
slaves. The slaves, however, did not un-
derstand the value of freedom. He ex-
pressed the belief that IL a general at
tempt were made to free them by force
they would be as liable as not to turn
upon their liberators
He thought the influence of the United
States would aid very materially in the
gradual emancipation of the slaves. II
any form of slavery could be considered
mild, he thought the form in which 1t
exists in Moro to be such. although the
masters had full control over their slaves.
One dato, he told the committee. had
by decree abolished slavery at the request
or suggestion of the officials.
Slavery Not Recognized.
While Governor Taft said that the Com
mission had not recognized slavery he
stated that some enquiry had been made
into the subject with the idea of learning
if it would be practicable to purchase
the freedom of the slaves. and thus lib
crate them without resort to force.
The Commission had made known its
ters, he said, yet neither the military nor
the civil authorities had told the Moros
that the institution must be abolished or
war would ensue. They had not thought
it well to do that.
The slavery, Governor Taft said, ex-
tends to men, women. and children, and,
according to the statement of the datos,
slaves are allowed to purchase their free
dom. the slavery continues from gener-
alton to generation, until liberty is pur-
chased. They were sold from one master
to another. but he believed children were
not frequently taken from their mothers.
Climate Unfavorab!e.
In answer TO a question asked by Chair
man Cooper, by request. Governor Taft
said he thought there might be room for
a limited number Of philanthropic women
from the United States in the islands,
but he advised against Il large number
going there. The climate conditions, he
stated, were unfavorable, and the adyan-
tages and opportunities for comfort in
some of the smaller town were very lin
tied. gatEs
Governor Taft said that the Spanish
trade in the Philippines had been larger
ever been before.H G1
The American trade, he said. had also
increased to some extent, especially in
canned goods, which was the most no
ticeable and was due to the presence
there of Americans and to the fancy
which the natives take to this class of
food stuffs.
Continuing he said practically all OF the
provinces were self-sustaining for strictly
local expenses, excluding schools, which
are sustained by the general insular gov
ernment, and the building of roads. in
which, he said, the central government
would have to render material assistance.
Self Maintaining.
He did not think the United States Gov
ernment would ever b0 called upon to con-
tribute anything to the support of the
islands except for the maintenance of the
army and navy in the Philippines. The
insular government now has a surplus of
81. 900 900 in gold, OF which s., 600 900 will
be due and payable upon the Manila har-
bor Improvement when it is completed
The Commission, he said asked permis-
sion TO issue bonds to the extent Of
81 900. 600 for the construction of Manila
waterworks. The problem of the COVER
ment of that city, he said. was difficult
one inasmuch as there was but $40 G0O,-
600 of taxable property in the munich
pality.
Touching upon other subjects Governor