New-York tribune., 1902-02-11

the services of competent men for responsible
positions without paying better salaries than
paid here
Governor Taft also said that the members OF
the commission and their families had been
transported free to the islands. and it had been
PRESIDENT Mcktnleys especial wish that the
Amllles should be taken, because of the effect
on the Fiipinos themselves. We want" he
said, especially TO demonstrate TO the Filipinos
the possibility OF an honest administration of
justice, which is something they have never
experienced under Spanish rule or under the
rule OF Aguinaldo. They have no conception of
man holding Office except for the purpose
OF his own emoument'
CHINESE LABOR OPPOSED.
Senator Carmack alluded to some of Governor
Tafts former testimony to the effect that the
Filipinos are not industrious, and asked whether
this condition would render necessary the i'm
portation Of Chinese. Governor Taft said that
II was to be profoundly hoped that this would
not prove to be the case There might be- he
added, some reason for taking the Chinese la
oorers to undeveloped provinces like Mindanao,
but in such provinces as Luzon, Panay and
Negros he was hopeful that the native people
could be brought into condition Of greater
ethciency- In general he thought the effect of
the admission of the Chinese would be TO mo-
was more difficult TO say what the effect would
be on the labor of the islands.
Has the commission ever recommended the
ADMISSION OF the Chinese?" asked Senator
Lodge, The reply was an emphatic negative
In answer TO questions from Senator Carmack
and other Democratic members OF the commit
tee, Governor Taft said the Philippine Commits
sion had been criticised from both sides But"
ne went on, Il think that in the main the effect
or our position has been to convince the people
that we are there to aid their development and
that our work has thus had the effect of in
creasing confidence. There is no doubt, however.
that much fear is aroused over the prospect OF
the exploitation Of the islands by the American
people Ihe fear Is generally voiced by the in
surgents, and one also hears it from others who
do not sympathize with those who would make
trouble for US"
Senator Carmack asked what would he the
effect of expressions OF utter contempt for the
Filipinos by Republican orators, and referred 70
a speech which he said had been made by a
United States Senator placing the native FIJI
pinos on a level Intellectually with caribou
bulls.
Governor Taft said that any article which
would have the effect of arousing the Filipinos
usually finds its way to the Philippine Islands,
and he illustrated this remark by saying that
the recent utterances of member of Congress
derogatory to the character of the Philippine
people already had found their way to the
archipelago and had aroused considerable dis
cussion in the native press. The Filipinos
a sensitive people" he said. "and resent any
impeachment of their intelligence. They do
not like TO be characterized as savages'-
''Or bulls" interjected Mr.. Carmack.
Nor bulls assented Governor Taft.
AS TO SENATOR HOAR'S SPEECH.
Senator Patterson inquired TO the effect Of
Mr.. Hoars recent speech in the Senate. That
speech he said, was full of sympathy for the
Filipinos if circulated in the Philippine ISL
ands would it not subject its author to arrest
and imprisonment"
Several Senators at the Republican end of the
table made vigorous protest against this in
quiry, among them Chairman Lodge. who said
he did not think ii just to Governor Taft to
place him in the position Of characterizng
Criticising the speech of any individual Senator.
Senator Hale however. expressed the opinion
that such questions would be legitimate when
It to discussing the statutes Of the nsular
government. Governor Taft begged to be
cUsed from replying to the question at this
time.
There less discussion as TO the
presence of American troops in the islands. and
Senator Lodge drew from Governor Taft the eH
Tlanation that the military force of the United
States had been reduced from 1000 to Al. 600.
The Governor added that he had been informed
by the Secretary Of War that il the inten-
tion TO reduce the force in the immediate future
TO 10000
Has the withdrawal of the troops produced
trouble?" asked Mr.. Lodge
"On the contrary" replied Governor Taft, ''n
the pacfed provinces the effect has been to in
crease tranquility"
The committee adjourned until Friday IN
order to give Governor Taft an opportunity TO
visit New-York
r S