West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-02-11
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Governor Taft on the Philippine
Islands.
Relates scma Of His Experience with
tho People Of cur New Possessions
From our regular correspondent.

e'~'' eut tttuttt tottctpouNtuts
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. Feb. 4. Ioo4.--
Your correspondent walked up TO the War
Department this morning to seek an inter-
view with Governor Taft, feeling sure that
your readers would be gra,lhcd to receive
the latest word from the man who this week
Is the most talked Of mau In America. In
the an,eroom was group of visitors await
ing an opportunity on one errand OF another
TO see the new Secretary Of War. There
was Senator, two or three members Of the
House, another scribe. and various miscel.
lauy. 1t isa noble reception room, the
iioor OF hickory panels, furniture Of solid
mahogany, heavy and orna,ely carved, up
holstering of red leather; on pedestals the
busts of Washington aud stanton; and on
the walls, banked high to the ceiling, oil
portraits of past Secretaries of War, includ-
ing Jefferson Davis. A cheesful wood fire
blazed upon the hearth at the end OF the
room In generous Fireplace fanked with
gritiins 10 black marble, and over Il, on the
frieze, was preserved in case ten feet long
the sacred flag in which the body Of Lincoln
was enwrapped on It's final return to Illinois.
The prevailing tln,s OF the room are red and
gold. and the bright ceiling spreads canopy
of harmonious tones, fresco OF a Roman
chariot race. The waiting visitors ca
changed brief converse and even opinions,
as even strangers will when closet
cd together, but one by one they were called
to the next room In their turn. Il occurred
to your correspondent while waiting that
Governor Taf,'s father has also been Secre-
taty of War and had occupied these very
rooms in the administration of General
Grant; and also that this was the anniversary
of that fateful and cruel day when the
American troops fred upon the Fiipinos In
Manila. Tine flies and your correspondents
turn came at last. Governor Taft rose and
Offered his visitor his hand aud then chair.
lie Is six feet two inches in height, weighs
$40 pounds, having reduced his flesh since
leaving the Philippines, and is not only
very large but very handsome man,
square face with double chin, blue eyes, a
broad sweep OF forehead aud tangle Of
light brown hair. lie was dressed like any
other gentleman, with turn.down collar, a
blue neckiie, kept by sapphire pin, and
plain watch-chaln bearing Masonic EN-.
blem. To the question whether his fathers
seat was not reslfu one after the tolls of
Manila, he said, eyes; bu, have not been
oyerworked," /" he added with laugh, "nor
Is Manila bad place TO live. Indeed il is
good place, II one Is careful, and lets
strong liquors alone"
reminded the Secretary tha, the country
had heard with great interest his proclama-
iion, "rhe Philippines for the Fiiipinos, -
bat seemed not 10 know precisely what he
meant by Il, whether lie meant independence
OF dependence With good government con-
ferfrd. II do not mean Independence for
them Immediately or very soon," he an
sweredi 81 mean that the PHILIPPINES shall
be constantly benefited by our goyernment
there, whether anyone else reaps any benefit
OF not. The welfare of these islanders
should be the paramount consideration. a
selfish exploitation Of them Tor the bene6,
OF the United States OF lie people Is expressly
disayowed as unworthy Of the government"
''Ihen Governor" said, +" the Philip
pines for the Fiipinos docs not necessarily
mean self government"
ultimately; not at present. Il means
that every measure, whether by Congress or
the Commission, whether in the form Of law
OF an executive order, should be weighed
before its adoption, by this one question,
Does II make for the welfare Of the Filipino
people OF does II not 2 II IL does Il must
be enacted and executed. Those people
have future capacity bu, not present fitness
for self government"
Your correspondents reminded the Secretary
that many Americans believe that all
peoples possess the natural right 10 self
government, and cha, they can always
govern themselves better than anybody else
can possibly govern them.
"Yes," he said, ~ know the doctrines Of
the anli-impenalisis, Governor Boutwell, and
the rest. They are mistaken. Even a short
residence in Manila would open their eyes.
Ny position Is not an enviable one. come
fresh from a contest with lot of people in
the Philippine Islands who aim 20 be de.
spoilers and find myself face 70 face with
the ansiimperialists here, who blame me
quite ~ much. There are a lot Of Americans
in Manila, possibly majority, and au Of
the American press, who are strongly hostile
70 the doctrine q, The Philippines for the
Fiipinos.' They have no patience with
the civil government and want the army TO
ron everything. They want firm govern
meai rather ihan popular one. Three
years ago there were 10000 soldiers at 600
posts in the Philippines. They created
demand fa food and drink 80 that many
fortunes we're quickly made Nov The army
Of 1000 has been rsduced 70 IS 900. There
are fewer Americans ia ihe Islands. The
demand for Amerioaa supplies is much
smaller and the bms for large profits has
passed The Amedcans who are impatient
~ith civil goyeroment lo5k upon tie Fill.
pinos with scou and speak Of then eith
conismpf. What shall We ssS of the Amer.
icsn merchants there who call their chief
customers "oiegers" and spend thcis time
IN abusing end insulting the Filipino race
The attitude q ihe American merchants and
American fesid-os IS always bitterly hostile
70 the Filipino and utterly coutempiucas of
him and his business. How long would
civil government have populss support there
i ws repudiated our naiional promises and
adopted Tie policy Of repuision and fepfes
sion, saying to tie people, 'You are no, 10
be irssied The Offices masi all 70 10