The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-09-28
GOOD TO KEEP.
Members of Taft Party Tell
About Their Trip.
Not One Suggests Giving Up the
Philippines.
MIR. SCOTT OF KANSAS.
Expresses Surprise at the I'm
developed Wealth.
Says the Islands Will Support
100000 People.

San Francisco Sept. 28.-Members of
the Taft party just arrived from the
Orient have summarized, for the Asso-
ciated Press, their impressions as fol-
lows;
Congressman Charles F. Scott. of
Kansas, said:
Il think. we all appreciate better than
ever before how very difficult a problem
the possession OF the Philippines has
imposed upon the sUnfted States. To
govern the islands primarily for our
own benefit, with no regard for the ma
ttive except to keep him in proper sub
lection, would be a very simple matter.
ITO govern them primarily for the bene-
fit of the natives is a task that will
test to the utmost our tact and skill
hand patience. While we all realize this
more clearly than we did before our
visit, 1 think We ali came away from
the islands stronger IN. the conviction
that the task we have set ourselves
must be performed, and that the end
will amply justify the endeavors. 1t
was a surprise to most of US to learn
ethat only 8 per cent of the tillable land
MS under cultivation, and that vast areas
of the most fertile soil in the world is
yet untouched. This development of
lnis fruitful land, the opening of the
great deposits OF coal, IRON and other
minerals, and the utilization of the so
million acres of hardwood forests, Of
fer rich field for the investment of
American capital and enterprise. With
the resources properly developed the
philippines will support 40, 000, 900 peo-
pie as easily as they now maintain s.
100000 They are the richest group of
the tropical islands in the world, and
the time will come when the United
States will count them among its
proudeSt possessions"
Cooper's Views.
Congressman Cooper, of Wisconsin,
chairman of the house committee on
1nsular affairs, said:
"One effect of the trip will be- in
large measure, to take the question of
immediate Philippine independence out
of politics. Personal study of the sit
uation has, think, convinced the mem
bers of our party, Democrats and Re
publicans, that the inhabitants of the
Philippine islands are not now capable
of free self-government. This conclu-
sion is admitted to be true by educa-
ted, conservative Filipinos themselves
though they, like a majority of the 9TH
er people of the islands, hope for an in
dependent government when the inha b.
itants of the islands shall become fitted
TO maintain it. The prosperity of the
Philippines depends upon their agricul-
tural productions. The United States
has done many noble, wonderful things
in the Philippines, but it's most glori-
Gus work is the establishment there il
a splendid system of American common
schools. These schools are steadily in
creasing in number, attended by 375, OOl
children out of an enrolment of more
than 100000, will, more than any Other
influence, help to abolish the multitude
of dialects and tongues and regeneratt
the people of the Philippine islands.
Our experiences in China and
Japan were most interesting and in
structive. China is being affected by
powerful Influences, one internal anC
the other external, and these are a
last having an effect on her ancien
conservatism. To me the most sig.
nifcant thing of the whole trip was {
statement made during a conversatio
that had at Canton with a China,
man high in Chinese business and off
cial life. I had remarked upon Japan.
great success in peace and war. Yes.
said he, the Chinese have observed
Japan's success. We have studied tbs
reason for it and we know why she
has succeeded We are going to prof
from our study. China ought to turr
Sver- She must turn over. 1 assure
you that she will turn over. 1t will
take time. Powerful Influences are
opposing, but China is going to turr
over
Among other things he declared
that the greatest benefit ever con,
ferred by one nation upon another wa:
when the United States forced japan
to open her door. All this from {