The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-01-23
DO
NOT OWN PROPERTY
Taft Answers Inquiries Made
by Senate
DON'T KNOW ABOUT ARMY
Says 1t Would Take Four Months to
Find out Whether They Have
Any Property Interests
on the Island.

Washington, January 22.-Secretary Taft
today sent to the Senate a statement in
response to resolution calling on him
for information as to whether any men,
Der of the Philippine commission, or any
officer of the army or navy of the United
States, directly or indirectly, owned on
December /, 1905. or now owns any land
in the Philippine islands or had at any
time, or now has any interest or right
in such land of any character, and If so
what such ownership, interest. or right
is. where the land is situated, particular
ly with reference to the location of rail-
roads in said islands and who said Of
ficials are"
The secretary stated he brought the
resolution to the attention of Governor
Wright and Commissioner Forbes, both
of whom are now In Washington and call
ed to the members of the commission in
Manila for statements, the replies from
all being transmitted. Mr.. Taft then
said:
IT NAV add that when l was civil gov
ernor of the Philippine islands an article
was published in Manila newspaper con-
of the commission was interested in in
vestments In the Philippine islands which
would be affected by legislation of the
commission. On the publication of this
article challenged the truth of its state
ment by letter and asked for specifica-
tions. The insinuation was withdrawn by
formal retraction in the newspaper.
No Commissioner Owns Property.
'sThis was the occasion of an investiga-
ton which instituted to ascertain wheth-
err any member of the then commission,
which was constituted at that time OF
Luke E. Wright, Henry Ide, Dean G.
Worcester, Bernard Moses and myself,
had made any investment in land or 9TH
erwise in the Philippines at that time
and l learned by personal inquiry and in
vestigation that no American member of
the commission had any such investment
in the Philippine islands. OF course the
Filipino members of the commission were
known when appointed, to be the owners
of landed estates.
with reference to the question whether
any officers of the army have any inter
est in lands or have obtained an option
for the purchase of them along the line
of projected railways or elsewhere, / beg
to say that certainly 70 per cent of all the
officers of the army have been at some-
time or another since American occupa-
ton, on duty in the Philippines and that
inquiry directed to the question whether
any of these officers, who number some
5000. have the interests mentioned in the
resolution of the Senate. could not be an
swered by personal statements from each
officer of the army under four months. If
ii be suggested that land records in the
Philippines might be consulted, beg to
say that the land records are to be found
in thirty-five or thirty-six provinces or
the archipelago and that it would require
further investigation to identify the land
owners shown there army officers
The secretary then quoted circular is
sued by General Macarthur at Manila
in MAY. 1900, while commanding the army
in the islands during military govern
ment. saying 1t is presumed that its juris-
diction was obeyed.
General Macarthur in the circular quot
ed the following article from 'fnstruc-
lions for the government of armies In the
field"
Macarthur Issues Orders.
Neither officers or soldiers are al
lowed to make use OF their position or
mower in kha hostile country for private