The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1904-02-12


; to your correspondent while wait.
: ing that Gov. Taft's father has
also been Secretary 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 Fillipinos in
Manila.
Time flies and your correspond
ent's turn came at last. Governor
Taft rose and offered his visitor
his hand and then chair. He is
six feet two inches in height,
weighs 310pOunds, having reduced
his flesh since leaving the Philip
pines, and is not only a very large
but very handsome man, a square
face with double chin, blue eyes, a
broad sweep of forehead, and a
tangle of light brown hair. He
was dressed like any other gentle
man, with a turn down collar, a
blue neck tie, kept by sapphire
pin, and a plain watch chain bear
ing a Masonic emblem. To the
question whether his fathers seat
was not a restful one after the tolls
of Manila he said Eyes; but | have
not been overworked," he added
with a laugh, ''nor is Manila
bad place to live. Indeed it is a
good place, if one is careful, and
lets strong liquors alone"
| reminded the Secretary that
the country had heard with great
interest his proclamation "The
Philippines for the Filllpinos, "but
seemed not to know precisely what
he meant by it, whether he meant
independence or dependence with
good government conferred. 81
do not mean independence for
them Immediately or very soon,"
he answered; 81 mean that the
Fillipinos shall be constantly bene-
flied by our government there,
whether anybody else reaps any
benefit or not. The welfare of
these islanders should be the para
mount consideration. A selfish
exploitation of them for the bene
fit of the United States or its
people is expressly disavowed as
unworthy of the government"
"Then Governor" ! said, "the
Philippines for the Fillipinos"does
not necessarily mean self-govern,
ment."
ultimately; not at present. 1t
means that every measure, whether
in form of law or an open execu-
tive order, should be weighed
before its adoption, by this one
question: Does it make for the
welfare of the Filipino people or
does it not? If it does, it must be
and executed. Those
people have future capacity but
not present fitness for self govern
ment."
Your correspondent reminded
the Secretary that many Americans
believe that all people possess the
natural right to self government,
and that they can always govern
themselves better than anybody ,
else can possibly govern them,
eyes," he said, | know the doc
Irines of the nti-imperialists,
Governor Boutwell, and the rest.
They are mistaken. Even a short
residence in Manila would open
their eyes. My position is not an
one. ! come fresh from
4 contest with a lot Of people in
he Philippine Islands who aim TO !
be despoilers and find myself face
20 face with the anti-imperiaIists /
mere, who blame me quite as {
much. There are a lot Of Ameri. Z
,ans in Manila, possiblya majority,
md all of the American press, who
ire strongly hostile to the doctrine
If The Philippines for the Fill .
oinos.' They have no patience
With the civil government and
want the army to run everything.