New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-23
crcRFTaRY TAFT ON THE PHILIPPINES.

SECRETARY TAFT on THE PHILiPPiNhS'
Ar.s- hts address at the Ohio Society dinner
earlv in March in opposition to any acuoA
which might fatter the people OF lne imp
mines with premature hopes or ponucal IHue
nendence. Secretary Taft could not produce
new argument on the same subJecL no Ha0
already covered the ground. But repetluon III
a different form before the Chamber OF Ooln-
merce on Thursday Of his impregnaple reasons
for opposing the latest antiImperialist pro-
cranne was highly desirable. At the time or
his earlier address the petition TO the national
conventions which many clergymen ana coHege
professors have since signed had not been maze
public and consequently Secretary 1aIt olu ho'
directly refer 10 it; but whether or not ne khe"
~ Ste existence he answered in advance every
nppeal since presented in its support VI course
the petition viii continue TO be circulated ana 10
receive signatures. 1t is not difficult 10 procure
t,e careless attachment of respectable names
10 almost any document. and in this instance
superficial consideration OF the question has I'M
doubtedly led a good many persons to suppose
that their oninion of its merits is more valuable
than that of the man who during three years
OF supreme responsibility applied keen intel
lect and a trained judgment to its study on the
spot.
Rut We are impressively reminded that the
netitIon has been signed by hundreds OF plous
and learned men. 1t is quite true and not at
all surprising. We are not lacking in respect
for the clerical and teaching professions, yet 1t
IS preciselv in their ranks that we should ex-
meet 10 ind confident assumption Of superior
knowledge concerning a subject which readily
admits of sentimental treatment, but which de-
mands far more searching examination than
most Of them are either able or willing 20 give
il. Such an examination it has received from
Secretary Taft. whose open mindedness, hui
mainly and ability nobody pDatends to doubt
and this IS his conclusion:
A surrender by us Of political control IN the
Islands as they are at present peopled, means
the suppression of civil liberty. Hence IL is that
those of US who are in favor OF only the gradual
extension 10 the Filipinos Of political control
retaining a guidance under the government OF
the United States. the real defenders ana
protectors OF the liberties OF the Philippine peo-
ule while the so-called and Sef-Styied anu
in,Terialists' who demand immediate sur
render Of the islands. are, in effect advocating
n policy which makes for absoiutism ana
tyranny or a political chaos which is even
worse than either. and which will end, for
long time to come, all hope Of the liberty OK the
individual
But say the petitioners, immediate indepen-
dence for the Filipinos is not contemplated All
that is proposed is that both political parties in
the United States, through their national con-
yentions. should assure them now of ultimate
independence. Secretary Taft met that plau-
sible rejoinder at the Ohio Society dinner, and
again at the Chamber Of Commerce. He said
in March: THE demGgogues and the elements
"of the population on which they work are not
Interested IN an independence which is coming
after they are dead We owe something TO the
conservative element on which conservative
government will be based when it comes" He
said on Thursday:
A promise such as that which Is petiticned for
f,7+ g~af- ar nnlifiCE
OF the islands the issue OF independence, of pres
ent fitness for self-government and will brighten
away from the support Of the present govern
rnent the conservative element which Is essen
tial to its success, and yet which is always
timid lest by change bringing the violent and
the irreconcilable 10 the front they snail suifer
by reason Of their prominence in aid OF the
present government. The promise TO give IN
dependence helps no one. There Is no need or
thar proDlise TO secure tranquility, because
have tranquility in the islands 1t is certain
to be misunderstood as promise 10 be com
piled with in the present generation, and IT. as
is probable the people shall not be fitted for
self-government IN the present or the next gen
Grafton, then the failure TO give II VIII be re-
garded as a breach.
care of themselves? Why should the good peo-
pie who signed the petition intermeddle with
something the effect OF which they are very little
able 10 understand Why not take the broader
policy which is that of doing everything bene-
fetal 70 the Philippine Islands, OF giving them
a fun market, OF Offering them an opportunity
TO have railroads built extensively through the
Islands.
essential to the development OF their business
and their property Why not insist on the
spread Of the educational system, OF an I'm
provelnert in the health laws, and subject every
thing that IS done in the islands 70 an eXanina-
ton as TO whether IL is beneficial to the Filipino
people? And then, when all has been done for
The philippines that government can DO ana
tbev have been elevated and taught the dignity
Of labor the wisdom Of civil liberty ana SELF
restraint in the political control Indispensable
10 the enjoyment Of civil liberty; when they
have learned the principles Of successful popu-
lar self-governnent from p gradually enlarged
exuerience therein, we can discuss the question
whether Independence is what they desire, ana
grant IT. or the retention OF a closer association
with the country which by Its guidance has IN
seldsblv led them on to better conditions.
In commenting on the antiimperialist Pc
tition some weeks ago we ventured TO suggest
that an rnconfessed longing TO be relieved or
irksone Obligations might sometimes be dis
cerned behind professions Of disinterested devo-
ton TO the Filipinos and that those among us
who are demanding Philippine independence
o,,ebt not to shrink from searching their hearts
for 4 selfish motive Perhaps they may find an
invitation TO such a scrutiny in these words of
Secretary Taft: 1.-THE course which the So
called antiimperialists seek is the easy one.
.Tbe course which we have on hand is diff
'cult one"