The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-10
FILIPINO GUESTS
GIVEN WELCOME
IN CAPITAL CITY
Warmly Greeted by Mu-
nlclpaland Government
Officials.
RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT
Fluctuations Exchanged Be
tween Taft and the
Commission.
RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT

The honorary board Of Filipino COM
missiOneTs 10 the Worlds Fair at St
Louis was given a luncheon by the
President and Mrs. Roosevelt this aft
ernOon, and later the members were
the guests at a reception at the White
House. In the morning they were re-
ceived at the War Department by Sec
retary OF War Taft, and an address
was made by the Secretary DR.. De
Tavera, the spokesman Of the party.
replied. The keynote Of the Secretary :
address was his phrase. the Philip
pines for the FHninos." Each member
OF the party was given a hearty hand
shake and a cordial welcome gener-
ally At the close OF the reception
Viva Taft was shouted with vim.
The Secretary spoke In English. and
Mr.. Ferguson. the executive secretary
Of the Philippine Islands, translated his
remarks into Spanish.
"Mucha felicidad mucho dineroi'
Secretary Taft's knowledge Of Spanish
Is limited. but he is liberal with what he
knows and gave the distinguished mem
hers Of the honorary board Of Filipino
commissioners this greeting when they
entered his Once this morning, rather
than eXteng 10 them the more formal
I wish you much happiness and much
wealth"
The cordial handshake which accom-
panied the wish for prosperity empha-
sized fl in manner which seemed 10
make all the visitors feel at home in the
office OF the Secretary Of War, and the
rousng viva Taft which they gave
At the close Of -he reception showed
their regard for the former governor of
their country. They even did better
than this and shouted viva BIZ Taft"
just as though they had been at Yale
with the friendly head Of the War De-
partnent.
". Cameron Forbes. the recently aD-
pointed member of the Philippine Com
mission. and Col. Clarence r. Edwards,
the chief Of the Bureau Of Insular AZ
fairs. stood with the Secretary Of War
while he greeted the distinguished party.
AND shared with him the plaudits Of the
leaders from the insuiar possessions.
Mr.. Taft's Speech.
Secretary Taft spoke as follows:
Gentlemen OF the Honorary Filipino
Commission.
'I hope I do not need to assure you
that there is no business that comes
over this desk that IS treated with such
affeCtionate interest as that pertaining
10 the Philippine Islands. This Is the
desk where my predecessor. that great
statesman Mr. Root. an earnest friend
Of the FiIipinos, formulated the policy
which was adopted by Mr. Mckinley
and followed with enthusiasm by Mr.
Roosevelt And when you 90 back 20 the
Islands ! am sure you viii all feel that
there is thrObbinE here. as there Is in
the governors office I'm Manila an in
tense desire 10 preserve the Philippines
for The Filipinos, and TO do everything
that viii inure TO the benefit Of the people
of those Islands. 1t is not far from
Malacanan 70 here and il is not far from
here 10 Malacanan.
you viii remember that in the law
which provides Tor the election Of q
popular assembly I'm the Philippines fl
Is left 10 the President % say when the
condition OF the islands IS such as to
warrant the election or such an assem-
bly,. and. Of course. il Is necessary for
his roprcsentatvc-thc Secretary Of
War-tO 90 there 20 see that the condI-
lions are as they ought to be-
You viii bear me out when 7 say
that on my return from the United
States 20 MANIA I told you that the
American people were profoundly
friendly % the Filipino people. and de
sired nothing but the good of the Fill
TinO people. I hope that your exper-
fence since YOU landed. and your ex-
perience until YOU shall leave these
shores. will only confirm what I have
said 10 you Of the intense desire Of the
American people for your prosperity and
your happiness.
Legislation which is needed is stiE
CC1ntinucd on Ninth Pagc)