The San Francisco call., 1905-08-12
Secretary Outlines
Government S
Policy.
holds Forth Promise of
independence When
Time Comes.
Rough-RiderS in Manila Give
Miss Alice Roosevelt
Warm Greeting.

MANILA, Aug. IA Filipino banquet
given 10 the Taft party tonight attract
ed great interest, as ii was expected
that Secretary Taft would outline the
policy Of the present administration. For
some time past the feeling among the
natives has been that the administration
was deyiating from the Mckinley policy,
and as d result there has been notable
ciSamectiOn among politicians with the
lrsUlar government and also much un-
rest.
This attitude was met fearlesslv by
Secretary Taft who upheld the admins
ITauOns s insUlar policy. When he fin
ished his address he was loudly cheered.
lie said, il rspOnse to the toast, The
Present Administration ia the Philip
pines:
"On my part ii is due you that if 1 do
nothing else tonight 1 shall make clear
the views OF the administration upon the
present and future Of the islands. The
American people are divided upon the
question ] am discussing into three par
ties There is a considerable number who
nave the real imperialistic idea of eX-
tending the influence of America, by pur-
chase and conquest into the Orient. en-
largllg The power of the American Gov
eminent for the purpose of controlling
the Pacific and securing the largest share
possible Of the Oriental trade, yet unde-
vel0ped, during the next 100 years.
WOULD AVOID BURDEN.
There is a party, and this is much the
largest, which regarded our taking over
the islands from Spain after the war with
the graVest reluctance and who would
have been gratified in the extreme If the
assumption Of the burden could have
been avoided. This subject has been uR-
der consideration by this party, and. in
deed, by the whole American people.
and the attitude Of mind they now hold
respecting the Philippines may be stated
with some accuracy.
They have come to the conclusion
that however reluctant they were TO ac-
cept the fate thrown upon them, it is
their duty TO meet the responsibilities i'm
posed with promptness, courage and
hope. They believe that they have be
come the trustees and protectors of the
whole Filipino people, and must prepare
that people TO maintain the stable Gov
ernment now there.
There is third party. which favors
giving the islands immediate independ-
ence. This party may be divided into
two classes, having different motives.
The first class is anxious to rid the
United States Of the burden Of governing
the Filipinos for the benefit of the United
States. The second class is anxious to
rid the Philippines Of the government OF
the United States on the ground that the
Filipinos can make their own govern
ment This third party has twice been
defeated at a national election on this
issue.
The second party has for its chief
exponent President Roosevelt He be-
lieves that IL is the duty Of the United
States to prepare the Filipinos for self
government. This may require gen
Grafton and probably longer, and the
form Of self-go government will be left to
the individuals who viii control the
two nations at that time. II follows
that the President, and he, himself, de-
sired me 10 say this to the Filipinos,
feels charged with the duty Of pro-
ceeding on this policy and maintaining
here the sovereignty Of the United
States as an instrument for the grad
nal education and elevation of the
whole Of the Filipino people to self
governing community"
Secretary Taft in forceful language
stated that the Filipinos who wish to
rule this country must first learn the
principles Of democracy by sending
their children to the common schools
before they can invite the United States
10 transfer the trust which has been
thrown upon il 10 their shoulders.
To make a governing and popular
democracy. primary education, habits OF
greater industry and thrift must al
ways be kept. he said, before the young,
patriotic Fiipinos.
In q number Of the provinces" said
Secretary Taft. the people with the
creates difficulty avoid starvation. ]
Now this is not due to the soil or un-
favorable agricultural conditions All F!
these are easily overcome by the in !
dustry which is manifest in Java and /
JaDan. The foundation Of great ma ,,
tion like Japan is in the industry. thrift
and intelligence of the people"
4 POPULAR ASSEMBLY.
The Secretary affirmed that popu-
lar assembly would be formed if no |
insurrection exists in April. 1907
The administrations policy, he said, |
was tse Philippines for the Filipinos. |
If the American officials were not in |
sympathy with this policy and the ma |
tfves they would be recalled
Secretary Taft said in conclusion that |
il was the Presidents desire that all |
must work for their benefit.
Representative Hepburn spoke along |
the same lines.
Miss Roosevelt was entertained carly |
this evening at dinner by Commissioner
Ide On entering the banquet room she
was roundly cheered.
The Rough Riders now residing he.e,