The Tupelo journal., 1905-08-18
ADMINISTRATION
PHILIPPINE POLICY
Secretary Taft Outlines It at a Ban
quet Given by Natives.
WARDS OF THE UNITED STATES
The Filipinos Must be Gradually
Prepared, by Education, for Self
Governmental Popular As
sembly In April, 1907.

natives to the Taft party attracted great
interest, as it was expected that Sec
rotary Taft would outline the policy
of the present administration. For
some time past the feeling among the
natives has been that the administra-
ton was deviating from the Mckinley
policy, and as a result there has been
a noticeable dissatisfaction among poll
ticians with the insular government
and also much unrest.
Secretary Taft's Speech.
This attitude was met fearlessly by
Secretary Taft, who upheld the admin
istration policy. When he finished
his address he was loudly cheered. He
said in part, in response to the toast,
THE Present Administration in the
Philippines"
"On my part it is due you that if /
do nothing else tonight, l should make
clear the views of the administration
upon the present and future of the
islands.
Three Distinct Ideas.
THE American people are divided
upon the question l am to discuss, in
to three parts.
There is a considerable number
who have the real imperialistic idea
of extending the influence CT America
by purchase and conquest into the
orient, charging the power of the
American government for the purpose
of controlling the Pacific and securing
the largest share possible of the ORR
entail trade, yet u~ndeveloped, during
the next n hundred years.
Prevailing One.
There is a second party, and this
is much the largest, who regard our
taking over the islands from Spain
after the war with the gravest reluct-
ance and who would have been graft
fed in the extreme if the assumption
of the burden could have been avoided.
The issue has been under considera-
tion by this party, and, indeed, by
the whole American people, and the
attitude Of mind they now hold re-
specting the Philippines may be stated
with some accuracy.
They have come to the conclusion
that, however reluctant they were to
accept the fate thrown upon them, it
is their duty to meet the responsible
ties imposed upon them with prompt
ness, courage and hope. They be-
lieve hat they have become the trus-
tees and protectors of the whole Phil
| ippine people, and must prepare that
people to maintain the stable govern
ment now there.
The Third Party.
There is a third party which favors
giving the islands immediate indepen-
dence. This party may lie divided in
to two classes, having different mo-
tives. The first class is ANXIOUS to
rid the United States of the burden of
governing the Filipinos for the bene-
fit of the United States. The second
class is anxious to rid the Philippines
of the government of the United
States, on the ground that the Fill
pinos can make their own government.
The Presidents Belief.
1.-THE second party has for its chief
exponent President Roosevelt. He be-
lieves that it is the duty Of the United
States to prepare the FiIipinos for self
government. This will require a gen.
Grafton, and probably longer, and the
form of self-government will be left to
the individuals who will control the
| two nations at that time. 1t follows
that the president, and he, himself, de-
sires me to say to the Filipinos, feels
charged with the duty of proceeding
on this policy and maintaining here the
sovereignty of the United States as an
instrument for the gradual education
and elevation of the whole of the Fill
| pino people to a ~self-governing COM
munity."
Education Neces[ary.
Secretary Taft, in forceful language,
! stated that the F%ilipinos who wish to
rule this country must first learn the
principles of democracy by sending
their children to the common schools
before they can invite the United States
to transfer the trust which has been
thrown mon them to their shoulders.