The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-10-22
Taft TO FILIPIHOS
Says lie Expects to Return in
Two Years as Private Citizen.
SLAP AT PRESIDENTIAL BEE
The Secretary Declares the Govern
nent Is Anxious to Help Business
Prosperity Of the Islands and Asks
Al to Lend 4 Hand.

Manila. Oct. II. - AZ banquet
IN his honor In this city. Sccrc-
tary OF War William H. Tart made a
most significant statement. He was
referring 20 the fact that he had al
ready visited the Philippine Islands
three times. and in expressing his in
tention 10 come here again. he said:
Il hope in another two years to
visit Manila again. but then I prob
ably will come as a private citizen"
The significance of Mr.. Taft's re
mark In relation TO the chances OF his
nomination for the presidency next
year did not seem TO strike his au-
dienco. The secretarys speech was
received with much enthusiasm by
the representative Filipinos present
when he declared that the government
was anxious ana ready 20 help the
business prosperity OF tie islands.
The secretary opened his address
by declaring that the future prosperity
Of the islands depended primarily on
the FiiipinOs themselves. They must
make progress as 8 nation before they
could obtain The benefits realized by
other nations. he said, and II was the
duty Of business men and others con.
templating investment in the Philip.
pines 10 help the natives 70 better
their condition.
He was glad the assembly had been
established and hoped it would take
over some Of the responsibility OF
government. Capitalists and others
looking for franchises and concession
hereafter must come 20 the assembly
with their requests He said he had
no doubt the assembly would care.
fully consider all questions anectinr
the welfare Of the islands: that Il
would not only look out for the inter.
ests Of the people. but would welcome
with liberality the investment OF for
eign capital so absolutely necessary
to the development OF the Philip.
pines.
This was the beginning OF a period
OF prosperity. the speaker asserted.
and he trusted that under Il every.
body would be happy and contontei.
II has been charged that In the past
the government had not had proper
sympathy with the American Nor.
chants in the islands but this was not
true. he asserted. There could Dc nc
prosperity in the Philippines for any
body unless there was prosperity foi
the Filipino people and when PROS
perity came Il would be divided
among all who had the courage TO in
vest their capital and work with On.
ergy. The secretary declared that he
was not ashamed Of anything IN the
Islands. and M ed the Americans here
TO make every aaort 20 bring the Fiji
pino people . a realization OF their
wonderful opportunities
The secretary devoted the day &C
an inspection Of the medical. normal
high and trade schools OF this city.
later attending reception at the In
dustrial Exposition. now in progress
here.
While returning from Fort William
Mckinley the horses attached 20 the
carriage in which we're Secretary Taft
and Governor General Smith ran
away. A detective. who was on the
box. took the reins from the hands Of
the driver. but he was not able 10
bring the horses down He succec Fed.
however. in guiding then into ditch
and thus stopping the carriage
Neither the occupants nor the horses
were hurt