The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-01-28
GOVERNOR TAFT ARRIVES
Lands at Frisco and Talks of Situa-
tion in hiIippines-Comes to Take
Roots Place as War Secretary.

Former Governor Taft, of the Phil
irpires. arrived at San Francisco Sat-
urday on the steamer Korea. With
him were Mrs. Taft, their two chill.
dren, Fred Carpenter, his secretary
and Judge Wolfey, attorney general
Of the Philippines, who is travelling
with the governors party On his way
home, on leave of absence.
Later Governor Taft boarded the
eastern overland train for Washing
ton. On arriving at the capital he
will at once assume his duties as Sec
retary of war.
Mr.. Taft talked at length to rep
resentative of the Associated Press
regarding conditions in the Philip
pines and briefly on the Japanese
Russian controversy. No significance
of political nature. he said, need be
attached to the haste with which he IS
travelling. Secretary Root had been
retained now one month longer than
he had expected and was anxious to
turn affairs over to be settled so he
could take up the practice of law IN
New York, which he had arranged 10
do on February /. Besides he had a
reception dated for the 29th instant,
at which he proposed to introduce
Mr.. Taft and make him at home Off
cially in his new Depart
In regarde to the trouble between
Japan and Russia and the general SIT.
uation that prevailed when he left
the Orient, Ex-Governor Taft said tslat
affairs looked quite warike. He had
hopes, however, that the crisis might
yet be bridged over and peace pre-
served.
Governor Taft said that conditions
in the Philippines were better than
ever before, and he doubted if great
er tranquility ever prevailed. even un-
der Spanish administration.
1--WE are looking forward" he said,
In regard to the trouble between
road building throughout the island.
English and Belgian capitalists have
so far controlled the field, but the
people of the islands are anxious for
the Introduction Of our American cap
ital, which so far has not been forth
coming.
Zone American syndicate, headed
by a Mr.. Swift, of Detroit, is engaged
in the construction of electric roads,
gridiro1ing the streets OF Manila,
with the object in view Of extensions
which will connect the suburban
points.
1.-TWO rev branch lines have just
been authorized by the government,
one of 35 miles and another Of 800
miles, on the line of the road now run
: ming out for distance of 12O miles
from Manila to Dagupan.
1.-THE census will pe published in
i October next and on that date. pro-
vided the country is tranquil, as at
present, the government will author
ize the election of an assembly OF not
less than fifty, nor more than 100
members. This assembly will be a
legislative body. coordinate with the
commission, passing all enactments
for the government Of the territory.
It will be provided, however. that
should they fail at any time to pass
the necessary appropriations, the gov
ernor and treasurer will have power
to do so.
"This will give the present Philip
pine commission two and a half years
more in which to complete their ar
rangements for the government Of the
islands and the enactment of what
they may consider necessary legisia-
ton"
In reply to a question whether or
not the Philippines were in a cond!'
ton to govern themselves Governor
Taft said that they certainly were not
at present and to make a predSctlon
on the subject would be looking too
for into tho fnfUre