New-York tribune., 1907-10-20
MR.. TAFT'S PREDICTION.
HINT ABOUT HIS FUTURE.
Erpects to ReUiSit Manila in T1co
Years as PriUate Citizen.

Il CUIo TO Il ftCUtC Sttt~IHs
Manila. Oct. 19.-secretary Taft. at dinner
given in his honor in this city tonight, made
most significant statement. He was referring
10 the fact that he had already visited the
Philippine Islands three times. and in saying
that he intended TO come here again he used
this phraseoogy:
Il hope in another two years to visit Manila
again. but then probably will come as a prl-
vate citizen"
The significance OF Mr.. Taft's remark in rela-
tion to tho chances of his nomination for the
Presidency next year did not seem to strike his
audience.
The dinner was given by w Morgan Shuster.
a member OF the Philippine Commission. Rep
resentatives Of many classes and nationaIities
were present. The speakers included Senior
Osmena, the newly elected Speaker OF the As
sembly. and Governor General Smith. General
Smith confessed in his remarks that he was one
OF those who had doubted the wisdom of the
policy introduced BY Secretary Taft eight years
ago. but he now realized that this had been the
only method 10 bring the two peoples. so lately
at war with each other, TO a common ground.
He said that IL one was to judge the future by
the past, the success of Mr.. Taft's policy would
be unbounded. and that he was thankful for the
circumstances which had made II possible for
the Secretary to share in the insuar legislation.
It was feared three months ago. the general
went on. that the National Assembly would be
radical. but It had proved it's conservatism and
had settled down TO business on conservative
lines.
MUST WIN THE BENEFITS DESIRED.
Secretary Taft opened his address by saying
that the future prosperity OF the Philippine
Islands depended primarily on the Filipinos
themselves. They must make progress as a
nation. he said. before they could obtain the
benefits realized by other nations and it
the duty of business men and others cOntem-
plating investment in the Philippines to help
the natives to better their condition. The Sec
retary said that It was with the most intense
satisfaction that he came TO the islands to-day
and found them quieter than ever before I'm their
history He was glad the Assembly had been
established. and hoped 1t would take over some
of the responsibility Of government. He said
TO capitalists and others looking for franchises
and concessions that another power had arisen
In the land. and that hereafter they must come
10 the Assembly with their requests He said
he had no doubt the Assembly would carefully
consider all questions affecting the welfare of
the islands that It would not only look out for
the interests of the people. hut would welcome
,vitb liberality the investment OF foreign capital
so absolutely necessary to the development OF
the Philippines.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENTS AID.
The existence of the Assembly would strengthen
the hand OF the government. and the govern
mont was anxious and ready TO help the busi-
ness nrosperity of the islands. in which the peo-
nle themselves were quite as much interested as
the merchants This the beginning of a
neriod of prosperity, the speaker said. and he
trusted that under 1t everybody would be happy
opd contented 1t had been charged in the past
that the government had not proper sympathy
with the American merchants in the islands. but
this was not true. There could be prosperity
in the Philippines for anybody unless there was
prosperity for the Filipino people and when
prosperity came It would be divided among every
man who had had the courage to invest his cap
itaI and go to work with energy.
Mr. Taft said he not ashamed of anything
in the islands. and he urged the Americans here
IN make every effort to bring the Filipino peo-
nile TO a realization of their wonderful opportu-
mites He had been to the Philippines three
times already, and he hoped in another two
wears TO visit the islands again. but then he
nrobably would come as private citizen Mr.
Taft's speech at its close was greeted with
cheers. the Fflipinos sharing in the applause.
This afternoon Secretary Taft laid the
nerstone of the first permanent schoOlhouse
built in Manila under the American regime. He
made a short congratulatory address to the
pupils of the school.