New-York tribune., 1902-02-19
TAFT ON SEDITION LAWS.
MEASURES AGAINST FILIPINO JUNTAs
AND SECRET SOCIETIES.
THE KILLING OF LUNA BY ORDER OF
AGUINALDO.

Washington. Feb. 1s-Governor Taft contin-
ned his testimony before the Senate Commit
tee on the Philippines to-day. He said that the
recent massacre Of troops in Samar had a
startling effect on the army, and created sus-
picion and fear OF treachery in other sections.
he did not, however. think, such apprehension
justified, and felt as safe in Manila IN Wash
ington. Citizens seldom carry arms there.
Governor Taft then PASSED from the consid-
Grafton OF the question OF tranquility to dis
cussion Of the treason and sediton laws. He
said that while Manila is quiet and has been
practically so ever since the American occupa-
ton, it is still centre of agencies for the pro-
motion Of insurrection. There was always
party Of trreconcfla bles there Nothing had been
done for the enactment Of such laws until
the establishment Of the civil government. It
then became evident that the Filipino Junta
was preparing to locate in that city, making
that point the centre Of its propaganda Com
missioner Wright was therefore, directed 10
prepare a law on this subject. and had done
80. The denunciation Of secret societies had
been inserted. he said. because they had been
made the chief instrument Of agitation against
4he United States
The commission had felt that secret societies
were one Of the most fruitful aids to the war,
and had taken the position that political agita-
tion should be confined TO open meetings and
prevented in oath bound societies. If the people
understood the question there would be no OBJ
section TO peacea bic agitation, but under the
circumstances the commission had felt that
the suspension of the right to advocate inde-
pendence was not such a deprivation Of the right
OF free speech as could not be justified by the
presence Of war, when, for the benefit Of the
whole people, it should be suppressed. At least
one Of the societies had for one of its main
Malta
PRACTICALLY A WAR MEASURE
"In other words. it was quasi war measure?'
suggested Senator Beverage. and Governor Taft
assented.
Replying TO {. question from Senator Patter-
son as 10 whether it was the intention to go
further in this direction Governor Taft replied:
We propose TO do all that we can DO that is
known TO civilized nations to put down this war
which is such a great injury to the Philippine
people" He had not given personal attention to
the phraseology of the sedition laws and he had
no doubt that when peace was restored Section
10 would be repealed.
Speaking of Agufnaldo having General Luna
assassinated, Governor Taft said that under the
common law there is scarcely insurgent gen.
eral who could not be punished for assisting in
securing the murder Of other Filipinos. It is
the way they have of getting rid Of men who
Governor Taft said he had never seen Agui-
naloos and he had never considered il his duty
to investigate Luna's death.
Speaking Of Aguinaldo's personality, the Gov
ernor said that, while his name is probably
known better than that Of any other man in the
Islands, his personality was not familiar to the
people. His capture" he continued, 'in the
face Of the general impression that he was d.
vinely protected against capture or injury serI-
Ously affected his prestige Personally he is a
man of dignity, though Of limited education. He
knows how 70 keep his own counsel, and under
stands the failings Of the Filpinos. He knows
how TO reconcile the differences Of leaders and
how TO avoid arousing jealousy Of himself That
he has any idea of civil liberty or Of any kind Of
liberty have no reason to believe"
Governor Taft said that he had received a
cable dispatch from Acting Governor Wright
saying that the province OF Nueva Vizcaya, IN
the northern part Of Luzon, had just been or
genized an6 a civil form OF government estab-
hshed. There are about thirty-five or
ganiZed provinces. Nueva Vizcaya has been
paci1ed for some time, but about 10000 Of its
$1,000 population are Igorrotes. Governor Taft
said he did not know what form Of government
had been given TO the province, but that he
supposed that under the circumstances it would
be Of paternal nature
The days investigation closed with the under
standing that the committee would require the
presence Of Governor Taft at only two
more sessions.