The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1905-10-12


IL cannot be said that Secretary
Taft, upon landing in San Francisco
the day before yesterday on his re-
turn from the orient and visit In
the Philippines, brings very en-
couraging report OF conditions In our
most distant possessions.
Mr.. Taft, having been governor OF
the Philippines, has had great deal
OF experience with the people there.
and is familiar with conditions In
The islands.
1t Is evident that he did not find
things in as good shape as he expect
ed, for he says: 1.-The political stu
alton in the Philippines in some re-
spects was not as good as 10 ought TO
be-" aud he found that ladronism
had swep, over Cavite, and II was
found necessary TO suspend the witt
OF habeas corpus there and In Batan-
gas.
He paints very dreary picture OF
the agricultural conditions ON the
islands, .'due to the loss OF 70 per
cent OF agricultural cattle, drouth,
locusts and the cholera. as we'll as
other causes y
The failure OF crops has naturally
had depressing effect upon the
prosperity OF the islands, and as
might be expected. has resulted In
making the people dissatisfied with
the government, which they unthink.
inely blame for the unfortunate sit
uation.
Secretary Taft says II became
necessary to inform the Filipinos
that In the opinion OF the admins
tration they would not be In condi-
tion for self-eovernment for gener'
alton, and probably for much long.
or period OF time,
This is certainly not encouraging
news which Secretary Taft brings,
and many Americans will regret par
ticularly the statement that the writ
Of habeas corpus has been suspended
In two OF the provinces.
There Is one OF the fundamental
principles OF Justice that cannot b'
set aside without causing apprehen
sion In the minds of people who be
lieve In constitutional government.
1t Is likely that We shall be receiv
ing hard luck stories from the Phil
ippines just as long as we posses
them.
The only way that race OF ON
color can rule people OF another !
by physical force, as there never cal
!. be perfect equality between them.
Every time that Filipino sees
white man he Is reminded OF TIL
fact that an alien race is governin
him.
The natives OF the Philippine
0 have an ambition to govern them
G selves, and that Is "A natural an
e laudable sentiment, and II Is on
r that never can be eradicatcd, cons,
y auently there Is always bound To b
n friction as long as the islanders d
O not enjoy independence.
s The republican party, which hs
Q been responsible for the establish
J. ment OF the present government
!. the Philippines, when criticised b
!. the democrats, invariably respont
u by saying that the United Stat'
n has the islands, and II the dcmocra
:. know how TO get out OF them homo
1t ably the party OF the Administrative
10 would like to hear from them.
The Miners belief is that the vel
Is best thing that could be done wit
h the Philippines would be TO sell the
N TO Japan. II that nation would rein
II burse this one for what 1t has e
u pended upon them.
as The japanese could handle the
\. people better than we can, becau
4, they understand them better. IL b
n been reported that Japan would III
r. to have them, and II that is the cas-
X why not sell them TO the mika
IN without any more delay than IL abs
eI lutely necessary
&c As long as the United States !
III tains these possessions they W
as prove ceaselcss source OF cxpen
n. and worry. entalling the loss
- numerous American lives In the III
uprisipgs that appear to be cont
ua performance over there. But
Miner.