The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-24
JUDGE TAFT LANDS At
SAN FRANCISCO AND Al
ONCE HURR|ES EASTWARD
Will Assume the Duties OF Score
tary of War on Arrival at
Washington.
TALK WITH GOVERNOR
Speaks in Glowing Terms OF Mi
kado, and Says What Philip
pines Need Are Railroads.

San FRANCiSCO, Jan. 81 OfmeT Gov
ernor Taft, OF the Philippines. arrived here
this morning on the steamer Korea. With
him were Mrs. Taft, their two children,
Fred Carpenter, his secretary, and Judge
Wolfey. attorney general OF the Philip
pines. who is travelling with the Governors
party on his way home on leave OF absence.
The Governor was met By a number OF
representative army and navy men and
civil officials on the tug Golden Gate, TO
which the party was transferred after the
Koers ha6 reached the quarantine station.
The tug carried its passengers to the Oak
land mole, where Governor Taft boarded
the Eastern overland train for Washing
ton. On arriving at the capital he viii at
once assume his duties as secretary OF
war
Before his departure Governor Taft
talked at length TO a representative of the
Associated Press regarding conditions in
the Philippines and briefly on the Japanese
Russian controversy. No significance OF
political nature, he said need be attached
10 the haste with which he is travelling
Secretary Root had been retained now
one month longer than he had expected
and was anxious 10 turn affairs over TO be
settled so ne could take up the practice
OF law In New York, which he had ar
ranged to do on Feb. !. Beside, he had a
reception dated for the 18th inst, at which
he proposed TO introduce Taft and make
him at home officially I'm his new depart
ment.
In regard to the trouble between Japan
and Prussia and the general situation that
prevailed when he left the Orient. ex-Gov-
ernor Taft said that affairs looked quite
warlike. He had hopes, however. that the
crisis might yet be bridged over and peace
preserved. The Mikado was a man OF force
and tact, his caliber being shown by the
high class of advisers he had gathered
around him. Governor Taft said that the
reception given himself and wife by the
Mikad0 was fiattertng In the extreme. The
imperial host lost no opportunity TO eX-
press his warm sympathy for the United
States and the friendly relations he hoped
would ever prevail between the two ma
tons. Before leaving Manila the Mikado
detailed the Japanese consul at that point
to personally escort Governor Taft and
party, which he did, from that port 10
Nagasaki. and from thence to Toxic.
PHILIPPINES TRANQUIL.
Governor Taft said that conditions in the
Philippines were better than ever before,
and he doubted II greater tranquility ever
prevailed. even under Spanish administra-
ton. we are now looking forward, he
said. Ito period of great activity in rail-
road building throughout the islands.
English and Belgian capitalists have so
far controlled the field, but the people of
the islands are anxious for the introduc-
ton of American capital which so far has
not been forthcoming. This may be due to
the fact that 1t Is too much occupied in
other branches of industry OF perhaps in
veetors OF this country are too afraid. lack
Ing the experience of English promoters in
dealing with financial matters In the Orient.
One American syndicate headed by a
MT Swift, OF Detroit. Is engaged in the
construction OF electric railroads, grid
ject In view OF extensions which Will con-
meet the suburban points Two branch
| eminent, one of thirty-five miles and an
other OF Ss1 miles on the line OF the road
running out for q distance of I'D miles
from Manila to Dasqpan. This road was
originally built by the Spanish.
English capitalists are now seeking
| franchises in other directions. and Secre-
tary Root has had surveys made for two
or three trunk lines, which have already
been published and for which estimates
have been made.
The greatest need of the hour in the
| their construction is not limited to any
| particular island, although they are just
now confined TO Luzon. Every island In
the group can support railroad running
| supplies and country produce. American
| capital II is hoped, viii appreciate this
opportunity and secure the roads
| next, and on that date. provided the coun-
| try Is tranquil. as at present. the govern
ment viii authorize the election OF as
4 100 members. This assembly will be leg
| islative body, coordinate with the commits
sion, passing all enactments for the gov
| eminent OF the territory. IL will be pro.
| vided. however, that should they fail al
4 any time to pass the necessary appropria-
\ tons the governor and treasurer viii have
power TO do so. This viii give the present
4 Philippine commission two and a hall
1 years more in which 20 complete their ar
1 raneements for the government of the
| islands and the enactment OF what they
| may consider necessary legislation
| In reply to a question whether or not the
| Philippines were in a condition to govern
| themselves Governor Taft said that they
| certainly were not al present and to make
\ prediction on the subject would be look.
| ing too far into the future.