The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-17
PHILIPPINES FUTURE
SECRETARY TAFT IN LETTER TELLS
 or POLICY TO BE PURsUED.
United states win Hold Isiands Till Time Comes When the People There are Capable of Self
 Government.

Washington, March 1e.-In order to aliay any misapprehension relative to the policy of the administration with respect to the future of the Philippines, Secretary Taft today made public the text of a letter which he wrote to John ly on that subject. The Secretary states very plainly that the policy of the administration Is the definite reten- tion of the Philippines, flor the purpose of developing the prosperity and the self-governing capacity of the Philip pine Island people" What shall be done when the Filipinos have reported condition when they can safely be trusted with their own Government, the Secretary believes to be question which doubtless will have to be settled by another generation than the present. The Secretary's letter follows:
 March 16, 1905.
 My Dear Sir-I have your letter of March 2, in which you say that com mon reported Interpretation of my re- marks before the House Committee on Ways and Means is that it is the pur- pose of the administration to give in- dependence to the Filipinos within the next four years, and that this produces great timidity about investments in the Philippine Islands, growing in great part out of the undercurrent of doubt as to what the future of these islands is to be. z -1 .,s.-
 Tn reply. beg to say that cannot prevent misconstruetion of my remarks, except by repeating to you what ac- tually think in regard to the matter. The policy of the administration is the indefinite retention of the Philippine Islands, for the purpose of developing the prosperity and self-governing ca pacity of the Filipino people. The pol icy rests on the conviction that the peo- pie are not now capable of self-govern- ment and will not be for long period of time, certainly not for a generation and probably not for longer time than that, and that until they are ready TOT self-government, 1t would be viola ton of trust for the United States to abandon the islands.
 '"The question as to the future, how ever is one wholly of conjecture. The important fact is the present policy, which Is that of the indefinite reten- ton of the islands. What shall be done in the future when the people nave reached 6 condition where they can De safely trusted with their own Govern ment is a question which will doubt less have to be settled by another generation than the present. both the American and the Philippine people, to whose wisdom and generosity We may safely trust the solution of the prop lem.
 "Should the Philippine people who are fit for self-government demand in- dependence, should be strongly VII favor of giving it to them. and have no doubt that the American people or the next generation would be of the same opinion. I think it much more likely, however. that after the Filipino people shall have been associated with the American people for generation or more, and shall have tasted the pros perity they will find behind the national tariff wall, they will prefer relation to America. like that of Canada or Aus traIia to England to one of absolute independence.
 ''Very respectfully yours.
 ."William H. Taft"