The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1907-10-18
TAFT IN FAR EAST.
Secretary Of War Comes at
Opportune Time.
TO ADDRESS PHILIPPINE ASSEMBLY
Colonists Expect Direct Statement as
10 Policy Of the United states In
Regard 10 Fate OF the
Archipelago.

MANILA. oct. 1j.-The visit Of Sec
retary Taft TO the Philippines. japan
and China, with his significant utter
ances I'm Tokyo and Shanghai, IS re-
garded by American residents as the
most important event affecting their
interests. themselves and their coun.
try I'm the orient in many years.
Prominent American merchants here
said
I'VE have been drifting these last
few years. Our trade Is growing, but
II seemed 10 many OF us that our pO-
lltlcal and sentimental interests were
steadily waning Secretary Hay made
the orient a special field for American
diplomacy. Mr.. Root appears In the
greater interests Of South America.
Meantime events moved against us
The Chinese boycott hurt. The sue
cesses Of Japan against Russia, follow
ed by our friction with Japan, affected
Us adversely. The American position
IN the orient IS now inseparably inter
locked with our position IN the Philip
pines, and uncertainty about the fu-
ture Of the Philippines adversely af-
fects all in the far east.
Secretary Taft's significant meas
urlng Of our unlimited resources
against Japan's scanty means and ia
pans hard struggle 10 carry out do
nestle and expansion enterprises, his
assurances that there will be no sud
den cessation Of control Of the Philip
pines, his warning that America will
oppose the efforts Of rivals to secure
special privileges IN violation Of the
principle Of the open door. show Amer
leans who placed money IN the orient
whore they stand.
These events indicate the growing
bond Of sympathy between Japan,
England and France in political affairs
In China. We anticipate they will act
IN concert In securing certain conces-
slons for themselves. our country
must closely watch these events and
be ready to safeguard It's own inter
ests and lend a helping hand TO China
I'm the event that action is taken on
the triangular, which programme we
suspect exists We sincerely hope the
plan Of consular reform naugurated
by President Roosevelt will be fully
carried out The situation and condi-
tiOns demand our best men,"
Great interest is shown in the open
Ing OF the first Philippine assembly
here tomorrow and in the arrival Of
Secretary Taft, which comes at an op-
perfume time in the Inauguration Of
Philippine home rule.
The action Of the assembly on ques-
tions relating 10 the political future Of
the Philippines is expected to be deter
mined largely by the opinion expressed
by Secretary Taft In his address open
ing the session This Is the view held
by FiipinOs rs well as Americans.
The latter are generally I'm favor of a
specific prOnouncement on Philippine
policy.
The course Of legislative action will
depend mainly on the result Of the
fight Of the Gomez radicals for control
Of the National party. The National
lists when united exercise controlling
influence, but their internal divisions
give the Progressive Independents the
balance Of power. II IS not likely that
party spirit will play much part IN the
assembly's future owing 10 personal
differences within the parties