New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-27
PHILIPPINE ELECTIONS.
Little Interest Sho7cn an Choice of
First assembly.

Manila. July 26.-The approach Of the first
Philippine general election on July 80, when
Philippine Congress will be chosen, is marked
by considerable apathy throughout the islands
in spite of the strenuous efforts made by the
party leaders to bring out the vote.
Reports received from the provinces indicate
that less than 10 per cent of the entire voting
population has registered its intention to take
advantage of this first opportunity to elect dele
gates to the national Congress 1t is estimated
that the total registered vote is less than $4,000
The leaders adopted every eXpedient to create
interest in the election. but without success
The complexion of the campaign is kaletdo-
SCOPE. Four months ago the Independent rae
lions. which united under the name "Nacional-
stas'' appeared to control the situation, and the
Progressives Secretary Taft's old Federal Gov
eminent party. did not seem TO have much OF a
following outside of the Officeholdng element
The situation is changed. however, and to-day
any prediction would be futile The 'Naclonal-
stas" have been split up by factional fights and
the chances of the PrOgressives seem to be good
The death sentences passed upon Sakay. Mon
talon, Villafuerta and BeVega for outlaWry were
confirmed by the Supreme Court to-day rms
action In the case of Sakay is thought TO sig
Nifty the political death of DOminador Gomez
a Nationalist leader. Gomez acted as the ageh'
of the government in inducing Sakay and his
followers to surrender, and he promised the
people that they never would be convicted.
The Phllippine elections. which are ABOUT 10 &C
cur give definite realization to the long cortent1on
for Philippine home rule by the establishment OF
q Philippine congress. or assembly. representing
all the islands except those OF the waTllke McFos
and other nOn-ChristIan tribes.
Five years ago the United States Congress passed
act authorizing the establishment ~ Pump
pine assembly whenever the President should oe
satisfied that conditions of general and complete
peace had been established. The condition OF peace
officially certified to the President by the
Philippine Commission and census was there
fore ordered 10 fix the basis OF representation.
Meantime the Philippine Commission adopted an
election law, and March % last President '"ose
welt issued the executive order for an election the
date of which fixed for July 30
The Assembly consists OF eiGhty-one members
appOrtiOned the basis of delegate Tor each
ninety thousand persons, but the full membership
may be increased to hundred. To some extent
Il corresponds TO the lower branch of the American
Congress. The Philippine Commission will act AS
upper branch, Senate. Similar 10 the AineTl-
system, the delegates hold office for two years
Provision has been made to give natives OF the
island ample opportunity to serve as delegates
the time opportunity is given the infuen-
tiaI American and foreign residents to become
candidates after n bona hde residence OF six
months Care has been taken, however. TO prevent
public officials from becoming delegates in the As
seubly. Ability to speak. read and write Eng!ish
or Spanish and a small property qualification are
among the requirements for being A delegate
Secretary Tafts visit to the Philippines Will oc-
cur at n time when the first Assembly IS open. Mr..
Taft will sail from Seattle the steamer Mime
sofa. on September 10.