The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-09-28
SECRETARY TAFT TELLS
 OF HIS TRIP ID ORIENT
SITUATION IN PHILIPPINES NOT AS GOOD ASIT OUGHT
 TO BE.

Wave of Ladronism Has Swept Over
 Cavite and Samar-Its Suppression
 Immediate Independence Advocated
 by Some of the Younger of the Edu-
 cated Men-NO Possible Hope of This
 Short of Generation and Probably a
 Much Longer Period.
 San Francisco, Sept. 27.-In an inter- sentative, Secretary of War w. H. Taft, who arrived to-day on the Korea from the Philippines, said:
 Reports coming from the Philip pine Islands seemed to indicate that it would be wise for the head of the war department to make visit of inspec- tion to the islands during the past sum- mer, and his going with a sufficient staff was thought to present good opportunity to form a party of con- gressmen, senators and representatives to visit the islands as guests of the Philippine government. The Philippine government was poor and was unable to do more than arrange for the pass age money of the congressman who would form part of the party. This did not include the sleeping car accommo- dations or the meals along the way, and, indeed, left the congressman to defray from their own pockets by far the larger part of the actual travelling expenses. The party as organized con- sisted of twenty-three representatives and seven senators. Of these thirteen were accompanied by their wives. In addition Miss Alice Roosevelt, her friends, Miss Boardman and Miss Me- Milan, were of the party, and then a number of other persons, pleasant as sociates, joined the party, numbering about fifty people, and the unofficial party, about eighty more"
 Here the secretary referred to the fine receptions accorded the party in Japan and Manila and continued: '"rhe polit- ical situation in some respects was not as good as it ought to be, A wave of ladronism has spread over the province of Cavite. The same is true of Samar, but the use of troops on Sar1ar and the use of the scouts and -constabuIary in Cavite has put an end to this bus mess: however. there Weretwo or three men responsible for the Keeping up of the ladronism, who had not been cap tured.
 Some of the younger men of eduea- ton have been advocating immediate Independence. It therefore becomes necessary to state with considerable emphasis the policy of the administra- tion on this subject, and to say that in the opinion of the administration there was no possible hope for independence short of a generation, because the peo- pie could not be fitted for self-govern- ment in that time, indeed, 1t will prob ably take g. much longer period The party consisted, as is, known, of demo- cratic, as well as republican senators and congressman and they, in inter- views represent all sides of the Philip pine questions, but with self-restraint and moderation which cannot be too highly commended, it was tacitly agreed between the members of the congressional party on both side that it would be most unwise for them to discuss before the F1lipinos their diff ferences of opinion, and therefore that any statement should be made by the representative of the administration as to the policy of political administration. Hence, the sight which some of the ir- reconsilible Filipinos had hoped for, to wit: A constant combat between repub- lican and democratic members, with the Filipinos people as an audience, was not presented and cannot express too emphatically my appreciation of the patriotic stand which our democrat is brethren took in this matter.
 'All the days in Manila were spent by the congressman in Investigating agricultural conditions in view of the possible effect of a possible change in the tariff on the Philippine production of tobacco and sugar. An opportunity was also given to those Flllpfnios strongly in favor of immediate inde- pendence to present their views. All this was reported and will be circulat- ed, doubtless, in a congressional docu. ment.
 with reference to the boycott in Canton and China. my impression is that it will fade out because of the ne- cessity that the Chinese merchants are under, of patronizing America to buy what will be in great demand in Man. churia. Suggestions were made of pos sible amendments in the exclusion laws which, without in any way opening the doors to the coolie class, would remove the stigma which the present regula- tions, 1t is insisted, put upon the class es entitled to enter I have those sug- gestions from merchants in Hong Kons and elsewhere, and shall present then to the president. The presidents proc. lamation and assurance that justice would be done the Chinese had an ex- cellent effect.
 Many of the people in Japan are dis appointed at the terms of peace, but the great sober majority of that people, ] am sure, are deeply grateful that peace has come, and grateful to Presiden Roosevelt for his assistance in bringing it about and conscious of the fact that Japan was under a great strain and that true statesmanship required that when she could make an honorable peace she should do so.
 r"The peace is honorable in that she accepted everything, and had she con. tinued the war for the indemnity sht would simply be in the attitude o1 fighting for money. There is not, ir my judgment, the slightest fear that the people of Japan will not continue tc