The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-29
THE FUTURE OF THE FILIPINOS,
TAFT SiTS TNDFPENDENCE WILL
M GIVEN IITTMtTELH,
But That II n Question which Docs
Not Concern This Gcneration-Iie Urres
Tariff Reduction and says II wouldn't
InJure Any American Industries,

IaFlII hcunrl0n anu say ~ WuuHh y
InJure ANY American Industries
WARRINGTON. Jan 2s.-AccordIng TO
the understanding Secretary Taft has OF
it. the policy OF the Republican party II vi
timately 10 give Il he Filipinos independence.
He made his declaration to-day in hearing
before the Ways and Means Committee on
the bill placing all Philippine products on
the fere list except sugar and tobacco and
reducing the duty on them to Is per cent.
OF the Dingley rates. He also eaid that
that in hi, opinion isa question for coming
generations not his one,
These declarations were brought out
by questions asked 10y Representative
Williams Of Mississippi. the minority leader
Mr.. Taft admitted that independence would
be given after the people Of the islands
were capable of f-goyernment.
Sef-govcrnment as We understand It,
or as the Filipino understands the term''
the Democratic leader asked.
Il doubt ifthcyever reach the self-govern-
ing CAPACITY Of Americana answered the
Secretary whereupon M Williams remark d
that after all there wa not such a horrible
amount of difference between the Demo-
cratic and Republican positions on that
question.
you believe in granting them indie
pendence when they are ready for it, and
we favor fixing date on which the blessing
is to be conferred" he said
Yes that Is about IT,, assented Mr. Taft.
When they reach the condition where they
nave "A reasonable public opinion when
may be relied upon 70 restrain radicallsm
when they have established inter-isiand
communication and when conditions gem
orally have become seuled--then, II they
desire Independence, give 1t them. II
they don [, If they want 20 come inside OF
our ta1G wall that might he considered;
but all this Is for coming generations to
consider. do not see that 1t need concern
US"
Mr.. Taft assented TO the Presidents
proposition that they might be made sell
governing colony. He also, in answer TO
questions by the Democratic leader, said
he could not believe that Congress would
be so unjust as to require all goods passing
between TIE United States and the Islands
TO be carried in American bottoms and
at the same time deny Philippine goods
free entry into the continental states.
Mr.. Williams was trying to show the
inconsistency in Congress refusing to take
down the tarin wall and at the same time
insisting that only American ships shall
engage in the trade between the islands
and the States. As will be the case alter
July l. 1900
The Secretary discussed the Industries
OF tn islands, the condition and wages
of tn natives. the productivity ofthe - /.
and the relative value of native, Chinese
and American labor, all for tho purpose OF
showing that the admission Of tobacco
and sugar from the islands would not
damage American tobacco and sugar
growers. He said good word for the ma
tiyes as laborcrs. The truth about them
ha said was probably half way between
those who asserted that they were as good
as those from the temperate zone and those
who ass .rted that they were absolutely
worthless Ho said tho street railroad was
being constructed in Manila for about
81 per cent less than it would cost In the
United States. Ut generally speaking.
he denied the proposition that labor IN
the islands was cheap.
Il want to say just word about our
so-cailed fg-leaf felcw citizens. 1t is true
they do not wear many clothes said the
Secretary. Were any Of us over there we
would wear no more than they do We
must recognize the fact that they are
Christians. and have been so for 800 years
that they are ours. and that whether we
would or would not. we are under nm OBJ
iiRation to do whatsoever We can for the
advancement of the interests Of these,
our wards
A. Detterman, assistant manager of
cigar factory az Manila, spoke for, and
w =. Wallace, n sugar statistician and
Representative BROOKS Of Colorado, on
behalf of Colorado sugar beet interests.
smoke against the bill.