New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-24
X-G0VERN0R TAFT LANDS
ON WAY TO WASHINGTON.
Philippine Affairs in Excellent Con-
ditiOn-Fears Var IN the East.

San Francisco Jan 23.-william II. Taft, ex-
Governor of the Philippines. arrived here to-day
on the steamer Korea. With him were Mrs.
Taft and their two children, Frederick Carpen-
ter HIS secretary and Judge Wolhey, Attorney
General OF the Philippines. who is on leave OF
absence Judge Taft was met by numoer OF
representative army and navy men and civil ON
Gals OF the tug Golden Gate. 20 which the party
was transferred after the steamship had reached
the quarantine station. The tug carried its pas
sengers to the Oakland Mole, where Judge IaH
boarded the eastern overland train for Wash
ington. On arriving at the capital he VIII a.
once assume his duties as Secretary Of War.
Ex-Governor Taft talked at length regarding
conditions in the Philippines. and briefly on the
controversy between Russia and Japan no
significance OF a political nature. he salo' heeu
be attached TO the haste with which he is traV-
cling Secretary Root had remained IN ONCE
now one month longer than he had expected ana
was anxious to retire so that he could take up
the practice Of law in NewYork. which ne hao
arranged to do on February !. Besides ne hau
a reception dated for the Doth, at which he pro-
posed TO introduce Ex-Governor Taft ana wei
come him officially.
In regard to the trouble between Japan ana
Russia and the general situation when ne ieIl
the Orient the Ex-Governor said that aHaHs
looked quite warllke He had hopes however
that the crisis might yet be bridged over ana
naace preserved. The AIikado man of
force and tact, his calibre being shown by the
high class Of advisers he had gathered around
him. The reception given himself and his WHO
by the Mikado was hattering in the extreme.
The imperial host lost no opportunity to ex-
rress his warm sympathy for the United States,
and hoped friendly relations would ever pre-
vail between the two nations. Before leaving
Manila the Milxado detailed the Japanese Consul
at that point TO escort Judge Taft and his party
which he did. from that port to NagasaH and
Toxic.
PROGRESS IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Conditions in the Philippines Judge Taft said.
were better than ever before. and he doubted II
greater tranquility ever prevailed. even under
Spanish administration.
I'VE are now locking forward he said. TO
period OF great activity in railroad building
throughout the islands. English and Belgian
capitalists have so far controlled the field but
the people Of the islands anxious for the In
PRODUCTION of American capital. which so far has
not been forthcoming. This may be due to the
fact that it is too much occupied in other
branches Of industry, or perhaps investors OF
this country are too afraid. lacking the ex-
perience Of English promoters in dealing with
financial matters in the Orient.
lone American syndicate headed by Mr..
Swift of Detroit. is engaged in the construction
of electric railroads. gridironing the streets OF
Manila, with the object in view Of extensions
which will connect the suburban points. Two
new branch lines have just been authorized by
the government. one Of twenty-five miles and
another OF S51 miles. the line Of the road
now running out for a distance OF 40 miles from
Manila to Dagupan. This road originally
built by the Spanish.
English capitalists are now seeking fran
chises in other directions, and Secretary Root
has had. surveys made for two three trunk
lines, which have already been published, and
for which estimates have been made
The greatest need Of the hour in the Islands
is railroads. The opportunity for their con-
structon is not limited 10 any particular island,
although they are JUST now confined 70 Luzon.
I Every island in the group caS support a railroad
running for fifty miles along the coast to handle
supplies and country produce. American capital.
IL is hoped will appreciate UIis- opportunity and
secure the roads
The census will be published in October next,
and that date, provided the country is tran
gull, at present. the government will author
iZe the election Of an assembly Of not less than
fifty, nor more than one hundred members.
This assembly will be a legislative body
ordinate with the commission, passing all enact.
ments for the government Of the territory. II
1 will be provided, however, that, should Il fan
1 at any time TO pass the necessary appropria-
tions. the Governor and Treasurer will have
power to do
mission two and a half years more in which 10
/ complete its arrangements for the government
Of the islands and the enactment Of what II may
consider necessary legislation"
In reply to a question whether not the
Philippines were in condition TO govern them
/ selves Judge Taft said they certainly were not
at present, and 10 make prediction the sub
ject would be looking too far into the future.