Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-08

and there occur sporadic increases Of the
armed brigandagel to which the islands
have been habituated for time immemor-
ial, and here and there for their own pur-
poses the bandits may choose to style them
selves patriots or insurrectionists; but
these local difficulties will be Of little
consequence save as they give occasion to
a few men here at home again TO try to
mislead our people. Not only has the
military problem in the Philippines been
worked out quicker and better than we had
dared to expect, but the progress socially
and In civil government has likewise ex-
ceeded our fondest hopes.
Peculiar and Delicate Problem.
The best thing that can he done in
handling such a problem as that in the
philippines. so peculiar, so delicate, So
cificult and so remote, is to put the best
man possible in charge and then give him
the heartiest possible support. and the
freest possible hand. This is what has
been done with Governor Taft.
There is not in this nation a higher or
finer type OF public servant than Governor
Taft. He has rendered literally inesti-
mable service, not only to the people Of the
Philippine Islands. but also the people OF
AZ ChltSu olhleb, Dy what ne mas Zone
in those Islands. He has been able to do
1t because from the beginning he has been
given absolute support by the War depart
ment under Secretary Root.
with the cessation OF organized re-
sistanee the civil government took It's po-
sition OF headship. The army in the Philip
pines is now one OF the instruments
through which Governor Taft does his ad-
mirable work. The civil government, OF
which Governor Taft is the head. is SUI
preme, and II will do well in the future as
1t has done in the past, because 1t will
be backed up in the future as 1t has been
In the past"
Remember always that IN the Philip
pines the American government has tried
and Is trying to carry out exactly what
the greatest genius and most revered
patriot ever known In the Philippine
islands-Jose Enthusiastically advocated.
This man, shortly before bis death. In a
message to his countrymen. under date OF
December 16, 1896, condemned unsparingly
the insurrection OF Aguinaldo, terminated
just before our navy appeared upon the
scene, and pointed out the path his people
should follow to liberty and enlighten-
ment
speaking Of the Instruction and of the
p~retense that Filipino independence Of a
wholesome character could thereby be OBJ
tained, he wrote:
When, In spite OF my advice. a movement
was begun, 1 offered of my own accord. not
only my services but my life, and even
my good name, to be used in any way
they might believe effective in sitting the
rebellion. thought Of the disaster which
would follow the success OF the revolution,
and 1 deemed myself fortunate II by any
sacrifice l could block the progress oil such
a useless calamity.
My countrymen, 1 have given proof that
l was one VINO sought liberty for our ooun-
try. and / still seek II. But as a first
step l Insisted upon the development of the
people in order that, by means of edu.
cation and labor, they might acquire the
would make them worthy of It. In my
writings l have commended to you study
and civic virtue. without which our re.
demption does not exist. can not
DO less than condemn, and / do condemn,
this absurd and savage Instruction planned
fore the Ftlipinos and discredits US with
those who otherwise would argue In our
behalf 1 abominate its cruelties and dis.
avow any kind OF connection with II, re-
GREETING with all the sorrow OF my SOU
that these reckless men haVe allowed
themselves to be deceived. Let them re,
turn, then, 20 their homes, and may God
Applies More strongly Now.
This message embodied precisely and
exactly the avowed policy upon which the
American government has acted Ia the
Philippines. h the patriot Rial aid