The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-07
The United States Sent to
the Philippines as Upright
a Group of Officials as
Ever Blessed Any Coun-
try.
Thinks That Further Reduc-
ton in Tariff on Filipino,
Articles Will Be Granted
by the Next Congress.

FARGO. y. D.. April The President
spoke here this morning on the Philip
pines. The most notable part OF mis-
speech was that in which ne took ocea-
sion 10 declare the faith Of the admits
tration in Governor Taft.
There is reason 10 believe that this
paragraph. which was not in the Presi-
dents speech as at first prepared. was
brought out by the publicity that has
been given to the recent attacks on
Governor Taft. This is the last Of he
fve Administration speeches which were
planned by the President before he left
Washington.
Quotes Former President.
The President began by quoting from
President McKiniey's speech TO the
Thirteenth Minnesota Volunteers on the
occasion OF their return from the Philip
pines. where they had served with the
First North Dakota Volunteers. He
said
After heartily thanking the returned
soldiers for their vaIor and patriotism.
and their contemptuous refusal 10 be
daunted OF misled by the outcTy raised
at home by the men of little faith who
wished US to abandon the islands. Presi-
dent Mckinley spoke OF the Islands
themselves as follows:
That Congress viii provide for
them government which viii bring
them blessings, which will promote their
material interests as well as advance
their people in the path of civiliza tioa
They will not be governed IS vassaIs or
serfs OF slaves. They viii be given
government CT liberty, regulated by
law. honestly administered, without op-
pressing exactions, taxation without
tyranny justice without bribe. education
without distinction OF social condition.
freedom Of religious worship. and pro-
lection in life. liberty. asa the pursuit
Of happiness
McKinieyFs Wo-ds Fulfilled.
What be said thea lay IN tie realm
of promise Now it lies in the realm
of positive performance It is good
thing 10 look hack upon what has been
said and compare it with the record OF
what has actually been done- If prom
ises are violated, Il plighted word IS
not kept. then those who have failed in
their duty should be held up TO repro
bation.
IF. on the other hand. the promises
have been substantially made good; il
the achievement has kept pace and more
than kept pace with the prophecy. then
they who made the one and are responsi-
BILE for the other are entitled of just
| right 10 claim the credit which attaches
| to those who serve the nation well This
credit I claim for the men who have
managed so admirably the military and
the civil affairs Of the Philippine ISL
ands, and for those other men who have
so heartily backed them in Congress,
and ithout whose aid and support not
/ one thing could have been accom-
! plished"
The President eulogized the work CT
the army in the Philippine campaign
and said instances of cruelty were the
| greatest provocaton.
American Officials Lauded.
In Governor Taft and his associates
We sent 10 the Filipinos as upright. as
! conscientious. and as able a group Of
administrators as ever any country hasa
been blessed with having With them and
under them We have associated the best
men among the Filipinos, so that the
great majority of the officials. including
many of the highest rank. are them
/ selves natives of the islands. The ad-
ministration is incOTruptibly honest;
| Justice is as jeaIously safeguarded as
here at home.
THE government is conducted purely
in Ithe interests of the people Of the ISL
auds: they are protected in their reii-
| gious and civil rights; they have been
given an excellent and well admins
| tered school system, and each Of them
now enjoys rights to life. liberty, and
the pursuit OF happiness such as wors
never before known in all the history
of the islands
The Congress which has just ad-
! icurned has passed legislation Of high
Importance and great wisdom IN the IN
terests of the Filipino people First and
foremost. they conferred upon them BY
law the present admirable civil govern
n.ent. In addition they gave them an ex-
ceIlent currency; they passed a measure
allowing the organization Of native
constabulary. and they provided. in the
interests Of S4le Islands. for a reduction
OF twenty five per cent in the tariff on
Filipino articles brought TO this country.
asked that a still further reduction
should be made. II was not granted by
the last Congress. but I think that N
some shape it viii be granted BY the
next And even without II, the record
OF legislation In the interests Of ths,
FEipinos is one with which we haFs .
right TO feel great satisfaction.
| Moreover, Congress appropriated 81.