The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-11-21
TAFT SPEAKS
ON PHILIPPINES
At Banquet Of the Commercial
Club in Kansas City.
PLACED PEOPLE IN BETTER LIGHT
Says Caue is One Which Nssds Earnest
Support and SyMp,thy Of Just and
Generous Americans

Kansas city. Nov. a.-Secretary OF War
William H.. Taft, guest OF honor yesterday
at the annual banquet Of the Commercial
club. in responding TO the toast, THE
Philippines said that the Philippine ISL
ands must be ours for more han a gene
ration. and that probably those called on
TO act as legislators would not live to see
the day when separation consistent with
the welfare of the Philippines can be
made"
The occasion Of the banquet was the
anniversary OF the signing of the John
Hay commercial treaty. Plates were laid
for COO at the Midland hotel. Senator War
ner was POSTMASTER.
Secretary Taft arrived from ST. Louis
early In the day n was escorted from
the railway station by $50 colored troopers
OF the Ninth Cavalry To the Commercial
club rooms. where a public reception was
held. After luncheon a drive was taken
over the city.
Thousands of persons enthusiastically
greeted Secretary Taft during the day.
Immediately after the dinner the secre~
tary OF war left for Chicago In a spe-
cial train over the Chicago and Alton
road.
Secretary Taft amid cheers rose 20
speak as follows:
NEEDS EARNEST SUPPORT.
Gentlemen OF the Commercial club OF
Kansas city, am glad to meet the ousi-
ness men OF this ambitioups and grow
ing city. | am glad to meet them under
these circumstances and = address them
after "A dinner, when their minds are
bright and their hearts are open and their
spirits are generous, hecouse i come TO
appeal to them in a cause which needs
the earnest support and sympathy Of Just
and generous Americans. Eight years ago
by a curious chain OF circumstances. &
O00. 900 people I'm the far-off, distant isles
OF the Philippines were thrust under the
protection and guardianship of the gov-
eminent OF the United States. l shall
not stop TO rehearse this strange history,
the result OF which finds us responsible
for the education. health, welfare and
progress Of a nation OF Oriental Malays
who have not yet emerged from the state
of Christian pupilage in which they were
ruled by Spain for 800 years"
Secretary Taft described the people OF
the islands. placing them In a much more
favorable light than they are wont to be
considered. and told of the systematic
work which the United States IL dolns
along the lines OF education and santa
ton. as well as In other directions, all
for the betterment OF their physical, mora
and mental condition.
To tho toast NotHllS the MdlltI VIII
Kansas" Governor Hoch of Kansas said:
Kansas was fashioned I'm an heroic
mold and it's life has always been in
tense. In the battle OF ideas as well ms
the battle Of bullets Kansas has ever
been out on tho firing line. Kansas Is
neither eastern nor western. northern or
southern: it is the central state, the huh
OF the Union. II Is tho rich, juicy meat
i'm the national sandwich.
There is nothing the matter with
Kansas materially said Governor Hoch
who after enumerating the great re-
sources Of the state. said:
But the real greatness of a state is not
measured by it's geographical location. by
it's territorial extent or by its material
resources. The real greatness OF a state
Is measured by the character of its peo-
pie.
Kansas" ne said, could make the
same proud boast made once by a citizen
OF Maine, that We raise men here.
DR.. Francis, former governor OF Mis-
souri,, and John :. Wise OF New York
formerly governor OF Virginia, also spoke.