New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-09
& PETTTION.

T-Ddcr tho direction Of n committee largely
composed OF conspicuous and respected citizens
SIGNATURES arc being obtained 10 a petition urS-
..iuc, 1lpon the approaching national conventions
the adoption OF resolutions pledging 10 ihe Peo-
.rle Of the Philippine Islands their ultimate ma
..fjoral Independence upon terms similar 10 those
offered 10 Cuba II is probable that this pc
tition will be numerOusly signed, Tor IL is never
difficult 10 procure names in support OF any
proposition. and. moreover. this particular IN
dortalinc is in harmony with the personal or
political views Of n considerable minority or
tho American people. SO far as the members
Of tba committee are concerned, fl is not neces-
sarv 10 accuse them Of any conscious insin-
ceritv I'm endeavoring 10 persuade the national
conventions 10 take the course which they rec
ommend Most OF them have long been com
United 10 the policy Of giving self-government
10 the Fnipinos and have copiously and zeal
ouslv. though not always temporarily, ex-
pounded their opinions.
II is a rather curious circumstance that this
petition has come 10 public knowledge just after
the delivery Of n speech on the Philippine con
ditions and prospects 10y the man whose I'M
cqualIed opportunities for mastering the subject
are generally believed 10 have been improved
BIZ him with exemplary care and skill. At the
Ohio Society dinner in his honor last Saturday
evening Governor Taft having given
clear and conclusive a demonstration as We
have ever seen OF the obligations which morally
compelled the United States to take possession
Of the Philippines and accept the task Of gov
ernlug them. went on 10 speak Of the question
Of their future independence lie said: Il am
asked. Why not promise Independent govern
"ment TO the Filipinos? Because, II YOU do.
then Just as surely as the sun rises n delega-
''ti0n will appear before you within three weeks
asking whether that independence IS TO come
"in six months or a year The demagOgues and
''the elements Of the population on which they
work are not interested in an independence
which is coming after they are dead" If Gov
ernor Taft chose 10 employ a slight exaggera-
ton 10 eniiven bis remarks il is certain that he
was in dead earnest. He took care in the last
speech he made before leaving the islands 10
urge the native oiiceholders, leaders OF politi-
cal parties and lawyers whom he was address
ing 10 desist from speculRting about independent
| self-government until the schools were filed
With children In every village and the masses
had made some approach 10 education. Having
returned TO the United States he has taken an
early opportunity 10 warn his fellow citizens
against raising premature hopes in the minds
Of the FilipinOs.
The fact IS especially worthy Of note that
! Governor Taft. as II with a provision OF this
| movement 10 influence the national eonven-
( TONS said explicitly on Saturday evening: Il
would say that IL is a mistake 10 put in the
! platform Of any political party a declaration
] regarding the Philippines which goes further
| than 10 declare that IL is the nations duty 10
do everything which can possibly be done 10
Increase the prosperity and happiness Of the
islands. We owe some support and encourage
'rnent to the conservative element on which a