The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-02-11
TAFT STILL TESTIFYING
BEFORE THE SENATE COMMITTEE Or
THE PHILIPPINES SITUATION.
GENERAL M'ARTHUR'S VIEWS
Al to Universal Hostility OF IN Ffls-
pfuos Quoted to Him-Adaitted -
be True at the Time. bat Change 81
Sentiment Maintai.ed-He Gives .
Long Explanation OF the Taxasiea
Question and Customs Duties De-
tween the Island and this Co1ntry.

Washington. February AT the
hearing OF Governor Taft before the
senate committee on the Philippines to
day Senator Carmack quoted from the
report or General Macarthur, Of 1900. TO
the effect that there IL substantial unity
among the Filipino people In their oppo-
sition to the United States
Replying Governor Taft said: That
originally the people OF the Philippine
islands were much aroused. I do not
doubt He continued. but the oppo-
sition e not continue in its general
aspect Since the second election OF
President Mckinley the great majority
OF the people OF the Philippines have
been favorable to peace and to the &C
ceptance Of the sovereignty OF the Unit
ed States"
Taking up the question OF tariff. Gov
n Taft explained the present VS.
tenn OF taxation in the Philippines. say
ing h a under the decision Of the SUI
preme court no duties are now collected
on articles going into the islands from
the United States. The plan or the
commission had been TO have no inter
nal system OF taxation for the support
OF the general government OF these Is
lands.
Governor Taft said there had never
been a land tax in the islands and
he attributed this immunity to the
influence of the friars. who had large
holdings. and TO the owners OF large
haciendas. The commission had I'm
posed a land AK. There had been op-
position to the system but this was dis
appearing.
Taking up the subject OF general tax
alton. he said the commission is making
an effort TO make the customs tax tariff
the only source OF revenue, and while, .
he said, W should be glad TO have iree
trade with the United States I'm order to
insure the progress or agriculture. VIZ
cannot but feel that IL IL is fair to col.
lect a tariff on goods coming into The
Philippines from the United States IL Is
only fair to provide for a tariff on Phil
| ippine articles coming into the United
States.
I'm our judgment the customs tax In
absolutely necessary as the government
could not be supported by direct taxa
ton"
Replying to n question from Senator
Lodge as TO the effect OF the removal of
the export duty on hemp exported from
the Philippines, Governor Taft said that
nothing could be done to change the
conditions in that respect. I'VE can
sell all the hemp we can raise" he said.
The effect of the provision would be
greater on sugar. / apprehend that
the anxiety OF foreigners To secure the
hemp product of the Philippines has led
TO the furnishing of much of the sinewe
Of war of the FiIipinos."
Senator Patterson reminded the WITT
ness that he had in his report recon-
mended a reduction OF so per cent. and
asked why such a reduction had been
suggested.
Governor Taft replied: II am bound
to say that at present our principal
reason for asking a reduction "a senti-
mental. The effect of a reduction OF 81
or even So per cent. on Philippine i'm.
ports into the United States would no,
be great for the next few years n an,
concession of that character would be-
beneficial In our dealing with the PEG.
pie OF the Philippines"