The Washington times., 1902-02-04
GOV. TAFT TELLS OF
PHILIPPINE PARTIES

ed end they were always prominent in
welcoming u.s.
Referring to the necessity for educa-
tion, the Governor said that with proper
education they might know how to gov
ern themselves in one or two genera
tions.
There are now." continued Governor
Taft, some 10000 adults in the islands
studying English in the night schools.
But the main effect of education will be
on those who will not come to manhood
for ten or fifteen years.
Il say without hesitation that lacking
an American initiative, lacking the
American knowledge of how to carry on
| a government, the attempt to establish
a Filipino government must be a failure.
FiIipinOs Welcome Commission.
Il aver without hesitation on my part
that the Filipino people, as a people, SYM
pathize with the Commission in its efforts,
welcome us at every place in the islands,
and have confidence in our attempt to
bring good to them.
The insurrection has come to an end,
with the exception of Samar, Bataiigas,
and Laguna. In other parts of the archi-
pelago there is no insurrection.
As to the parties of the islands, the
Governor described them as the Federal
party, the Peace party, and the Conserva-
tive party.
Its Object Is Peace.
THE Partido Conservado,'' he said, sis
a party whose ultimate object is peace.
In fact, all the parties are in favor of
peace 1t is the purpose of the Conserva-
tive party TO seek a separation of the
island from the United States, and for
is do loru
ly of Spanish mestizos, having a sympathy
with Spain. While il has a representative
at Manila it has never, so far as l know,
secured recruits in the other parts of the
islands.
But whenever the Commission is doing
anything that calls for a conference with
the parties, we always give notice TO the
Conservative party, and the members at
tend
They are. however, charged with hav-
ing clerical bias How true this is l do
not know. but IL is certain that some of
the members are closer to the hierarchy
of the church than are the leaders OF the
Federal party
rs that the party that came under
the denunciation of the law which lately
passed the commission asked Mr.. Pat
terson.
Il will discuss that later on if you will
permit me-" replied the Governor.
Party of Peace.
Then there is the party of peace"
continued Governor Taft, largely COM
posed Of the members OF the Conserva-
tive party who were regarded as irrecon-
cilables.
In their number are some OF the Junta
that have come TO Manila. and are inter
esting themselves in what is proceeding
there. They have appointed a number of
delegates to go to LuZon and seek a cessa-
tion of hostilities.
i think ] have stated now all the
parties that there are. The only party
of general organization in the islands is
the Federal party. In the applications of
natives to the commission the very fact
that the applicant was a member of the
Federal party has always been good
recomme ndation for him, for the reason
that we regard the Federal party as
great element in bringing about pacifca-
tion.
The fact of man being in the Fed
eral party We have regarded as fairly
good evidence that he is interested in
the government which we are establish
ing. and would do well he could
Al this juncture an adjournment was
taken until 1890 o'clock this morning.