The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-09-28
He Describes the Situa-
tion in the Philippines.
PRAISES DEMOCRATS
Those Who Accompanied Him Did MOI
Air Their Views Before the Filipi-
nos. Taft Tells OF Wave Of La
dronism, Martial Law. Agri-
cultural Depression.
(By the Associated Press }

(By the Associated Press)
San Francico, Cal, Sept. 27.-In an
interview with an Associated Press
representative, Secretar., of War, W.
II. Taft, who arrived today, on the
Korea from the Philippines after de-
scribing various incidents of the trip
to Japan. referred to the political sit
uation in the Philippines, saying:
1.-THE political situation in some re-
be. A wave of Ladronism has swept
over the province of Cavite, and it
has been found necessary to suspend
the writ of habeas corpus inv the.
province of Cavite and Batangas, the
eighboring province. The same was
true of Samar, but the use of troops
on Samar and the use of the scouts
and constabulary in Cavite mas pa.
an end toS this business; however,
there were two or three men reSpOn-
sibie for the keeping up of the Lad
ronism, who had not been captured
Complaints We're made against the
conStabulary; and while many of
them were unfounded, it was probab-
ly true that a change in the consta-
buiary ought to be effected, and it is
now under consideration by the gov
ernment. The distressing agricultur-
al depression, due to the loss of Z D
per cent. of the agricultural cattle,
drouth, locust and cholera, as we'll as
other causes will probably not cease
TO be for several years. This natural
Ty subjects the government to critl-
cism because this alien government is
much more likely to be criticised Tor
existing conditions, however, free
blame in respect to them, that d ma
tive government.
- IL Crn
cation have been advocating immedl-
ate independence. 1t therefore be-
came necessary to state with consld-
erable emphasis the policy of the ad-
ministration on this subject, ana 10
say that in the opinion of the ad-
ministration there was no posslple
hope for independence short of gen
Grafton. because the people could not
be fitted for self-government in that
time: indeed, it will probably take
a much longer period.
"The party consisted, as is known,
of Democratic as we'll as Republicah
Senators and Corgr!ssmen, ana they
i'm interviews represent all sides u
tho Philippine questions, but with Z
sclf-restraint and moderation Whlch
cannot be too highly commanded, II
was tracitiy agreed by the members
of the congressional party on both
sides that it would be most unMise
Cor them to discuss before the Fill
ninos their differences of opinion, and
therefore that any statement shoufd
he made by the representative OF the
administration as to the policy of po-
litical administration.
"YIence the sight which some OF
the irreconciliable Filipinos had mop
ed for. to wit: a constant COMBAT pc
tween Republican ana DeillocIa. ~ =
members. with the Filipino people
&c an audience was not presented
and 7 cannot express too emphat1cai /
L. NV anpreciation of the patrlol1c
stand which our Democratic breth-
rem took in this matter III reiilil'i'ls
a diffusion of differences or oplliloli
to the proper representatives III
gress u,,;1
"WhiIe the conditions nthe Phu-
innines are not as favorable as we
would like to have them and propapls
will not be favorable until the ue
pressing conditions shall be lolioWeu ~
bv a prosperous season, still proSresS
is being made. The government
more efficient: inefficient men are
being eliminated and things are SET
tling to business. Economy Is pelils
practiced more and more, in the gov
ernment. Filipinos are being intro
duced very rapidly to the place oi
Americans and on the whole, III look
ing back over two years, decided steps
forward have been taken.
"Of the questions which were open
when we started on this trip ana III
the settlement of which WAS hoped
the trip might lend aid, one was the
establishment of a special tribunal for
the hearing of disputed questions IN
relation to possession of churches and
rectories and cemeteries. ! am glad
Tn say that before we reached the
islands a satisfactory law had been
eancted which ii is hoped will rapidly
disporc of these cases. The law re-
fers the issues directly to the Supreme
court.
There was also remaining unset
tied a question about the title to one
half of the Friars islands-those
owned previously by the Dominican
order. After conference with the
commemorative of the vendors salts
factory compromise was effected by
which good title 10 the lands will
he immediately conveyed to the gov
ernment and possession given, as far
as that possession Is in the vendors.
and the difference aS to price. a matter
of some 100000 will be left to ad-
justment by arbitration.
with reference TO the boycott in
Canton and China, / am not suf-
ficiently advised to speak with great
authority. Ny impression is that it
will fade out because OF the necessity
that the Chinese merchants are under
of patronizing America to sell what
will be in great demand in Manchu-