Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-05-11
ISLAND GOVERNMENT
Secretary Of War Talks to National
Geographical Society.
10 TEACH FILTPIEOS SELF SUPPORT.
Wishes TarIH Reduced--Opposed to
Chinese in the IsIands-Ma-
nila the Finest Harbor
I'm the Orient.

Washington, May G.-Ihe Hon. VIM
H. Taft, secretary of war and former
governor Of the Philippines, talked
informally before the National Geo
graphical society about conditions in
the archipelago. The talk was large
ly a reply to criticisms that havebeen
made by Englishmen Of the admin
istration and conditions existing in
the islands. The criticisms were to
the effect that the American govern
ment spent too much money in educa-
tion, alleged there were too many pub
lie officers there. referred to the lack
of good roads, criticised the civil SER
vice, thought that the government
was too expensive, and referred to the
question Of Chinese immigration. Gem
orally the secretary replied with Wig
or to the criticisms made, declaring
that in view Of the peculiar ccndi-
tions exisiag they were not well
founded. Secretary Taft pointed out
that large expenditures for education
were essential to the proper develop
ment of the islands. The atMtude of
the people, he declared, indicated
their earnest desire to learn English
and become educated.
The insular government, he said,
hopes t. build up a body of 10000 or
$4,000 Filipino teachers to educate
the people in a new common. lam
guagc, language of free institu-
tions, to teach the people to dignity
labor and instruct every man to use
his mind and HANDS to a purpose.
Regarding the criticism that there
were too many officers in our form of
government in the Philippines, Sec
rotary Taft said the government
would be much more efficient If an
American were In charge in every |
province. But, he added in order to
teach the people by object lessons what |
It is to be free people would not be ,ac-
Our system was to give |
he people as much self government as
possible, the primary rule and Policy |
and in dealing with them being homes
" and straightforwardness.
Secretary Taft touched on the road
improvements that were making in
n the islands and spoke particularly
IN the opening of the electric line
n Manila. No city In the world need
ID street railroad more and its con-
truction would reduce the price Of liv-
ng to the people, who had been COM
,elled to utilized animals largely for
he purpose. The improvements to
'e made in the harbor of Manila would
make it the finest In the orient.
The secretary said he knew the cost
t government was expensive but he
'ointed out the many reasons which,
10 argued, necessarily made this SO.
lie agreed with the charge that there
'ere too many Americans in the Phil
ppines but said this number would
e gradually reduced. jas time went on.
It this point Mr.. Taft said he agreed
18th criticisms regarding the tariff and
hope that it would be re-
uced.
Secretary Taft argued against the
Dntention that 1t was necessary to
Omit Chinese to the Philippines in
rder to build up the islands. There
as deep feeling against the China
ian, of whom there are now $4,000 in
lie archipelago. Filipino labor ne
as confident, was capable Of being
aimed effectively for the development
the islands. While the islands may
svelop more slowly with Filipino
Dor that development, he said, will
, much more advantageous to them.