Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1905-10-05

SECRETARY TAFT. Pacific record was
| broken by four hours. The time
! from Yokohama was ten days and
! eleven hours. an average speed OF
| eighteen knots for the entire trip. The
steamer Empress of Japan has made
the run from Yokohama to Victoria IN
ten days and ten hours, but the dis
lance between these points is 264
miles less than that covered by the
Korea. Shortly after he landed Secre-
tary Taft gave an extended account
of the things they had seen, and his
conclusions as given may be summar-
lied as follows:
Great improvements have been made
in the Philippines under American rule,
although the political situation is not
as good as it should be. This is largely
due to the depression in agriculture,
following losses of cattle. drought, To-
Gusts and cholera. as we'll as causes
which probably will continue for several
years. Discomfort among the natives
has ensued. vented in uprisings, which
have been suppressed The disputes over
church lands are to be settled in short
time, and strides have been made In
public works. AS a whole, decided steps
forward have been taken in the last two
years.
Independence Far Away.
"The political situation in some re-
spects was not as good as it ought to
be. Some of the younger men of educa-
-, I,.,ta In
dependence. 1t therefore becomes neces-
sary to state with considerable empha-
sis the policy of the administration on
this subject, and to say that in the opin-
ion of the administration there was no
possible hope for independence short of
Il generation, because the people could
not be fitted for self-government in teat
time; indeed. it will probably take a
much longer period"
The boycott against American goods
in China will fade out, because Chinese
merchants are forced to patronize Amer
lean firms to supply the demand in Man
churia. The merchants are losing money
now, and their influence will be in the
interest of a settlement of the quarrel
over American immigration laws.
While many Of the people Of Japan
are disappointed as to the terms Of
peace, the sober majority is glad that
the war is over and grateful to Presi-
dent Roosevelt for his part in bringing
peace. There is no fear that the friend
ship of the japanese for America will
be affected.
Secretary Taft's story confirmed the
cabled dispatches from the various
points visited, which had told Of the
enthusiastic reception the Americans
had received Of the celebration in To-
kio he said:
For five days we were the guests Of
the government and nothing could have
exceeded the kindness and enthusiastic
manifestations of the people which were
shown US. 1t was chiefly due to the
presence Of the daughter of the Presi-
dent, to whom the people wished to show
their gratitude for his efforts for peace"
Of the japanese peace riots Secretary
Taft said: Upon going to the seat of
the disturbances we found them to be
greatly exaggerated, and that their pur-
pose had been confined to the expression |
of hostility toward the ministers and |
police. Many of the people in Japan
are disappointed at the terms of peace, |
but the great sober majority Of that |
people, l am sure, are deeply grateful |
that peace has come. and grateful to |
President Roosevelt for his assistance in |
bringing it about. There is not. in my
judgment. the slightest fear that the
people of Japan will not continue to be
as friendly to America and Americans
as our reception in July showed that
they were then.
''All the days in Manila were spent
by the Congressman in investigating ag-
ricultural conditions with view to tho
possible effect of a possible change in
tariff on the Philippine production of to-
bacco and sugar. An opportunity was
also given to those Filipinos strongly in
favor of immediate independence to pre-
sent their views. All this was reported
and will be circulated. doubtless, in a
document"
Manila according to Mr.. Taft, is now
4 thoroughly modern city.