The Washington times., 1905-08-13
li1ht for the Philippines,

Americas course in C1ba has been
the admiration-and the woader-o2
the world. If Theodore Roosevelt has.
his way, her course in the Philippines
will be more adnirable-and more
wonderful-stiIl
An indication of this vas offered.
in Secretary Taft's testimony before
a committee of Congress last winter
when he outlined what he character
lied as his own hope for the Philip
pines. He looked forward TO ultimate
self-government for the. people Of the
islands. He thought the training for
that privilege the chief present duty
Of the United States IL. relation to the
islands. And he held to the opinion
that the first step toward those two
results lay in the direction of q popu-
lar assembly which should be given
more and more power as it proved
more and more fit for the exercise Of
power.
Yesterday the Secretary confirmed
that indication. He spoke avowedly
as the mouthpiece of the President.
''On my part it is due you," he said
to his native hosts, that if I do
nothing else tonight I should make
clear the views of the Administration
upon the present and future of the
islands" Thereupon he outlined the
views of the American people-a CON
siderable number of whom have the
real imperialistic idea;" a second
party VINO. however reluctant they
were to accept the duty thrown upon
them, believe they have become the
trustees and protectors of the whole
Philippine people" and third party
which fayors giving the islands i'm
mediate independence With that,
the Secretary makes this formal
declaration:
The second party has for it's chief
exponent President Roosevelt He be-
leves that il IS the duty of the United
States to prepare the FiIipin0s for self
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 desires
me TO say this TO the FilIpinos. feels
charged with the duty of proceeding on
this policy and maintaining the soYer-
eighty of the United States here as an
instrument of the gradual education and
elevation OF the whole Of the Filipino
people to a self-governing community
A popular assembly win be formed. IL
no iHsurreCtion exists, in April, 1907.
The Administrations policy is: The
Philippines for the fdIipino8h II the
American officers are not in sympathy
with this policy they viii be recalled
II is the Presidents desire that all work
for their benefit.
Of course, no administration can
pledge its successors. Mr. Roose-
velt's formal statement through his
Secretary of War may very possibly
be set aside. But as far as the Presi-
dent Of the United States can commit
the nation to any policy, Theodore
Roosevelt has committed us to these
distinct policies for the Philippines:
First-Order throughout the archi-
pelago.
second-Training for seIf-govern-
ment.
Ihlrd-A popular assembly to be
formed in She absence of revolution,
in April, 1907.
Fourth-Ultimate independence as
Cuba is now Independent.
As the Secretary has said, the great
majority of the people Of the United
States have accepted the responsfbiIi-
ties Of the Philippines with the ut
most reluctance. But. they do not
fear to take hold of them seriously
and they will not fail 10 support a
plan Of action which accords with the
highest principles Of democratic gov
ernment.