Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-10-19
TAFT IN FAR EAST.
Secretary of War Comes at
Opportune Time.
TO ADDRESS PHILIPPINE ASSEMBLY
CoiOnists Expect Direct Statement Rs
20 Policy OF the United States In
Regard 90 Fate of the
Archipelago.

MANILA. Oct. 16.-The visit Of Sec
rotary Taft to the Philippines. Japan
and China. with his significant utter
ances In Tokyo and Shanghai, is re-
garded by American residents as the
most important event affecting their
interests. themselves and their coun-
try In the orient in many years
Prominent American merchants here
said:
eve have been drifting these last
few years. Our trade Is growing. but
It seemed TO many OF us that our po-
litical and sentimental interests were
steadily waning Secretary Hay made
the orient a special field for American
diplomacy. Mr. Root appears i'm 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 lnseparably inter
locked with our position IN the Philip
pines, and uncertainty about the fu-
ture OF the Philippines adversely af-
fects all I'm the FAR east.
Secretary Tafts significant meas
uring OF our unlimited resources
against Japan's scanty means and ia
pans hard struggle TO carry ont do
nestle and expansion enterprises. his
assurances that there will be no sud
den cessation of control OF the Philip.
pines. his warming that America Will
oppose the efforts OF rivals TO secure
special privileges I'm violation OF the
principle OF the open door. show Amer
leans who placed money In the orient
where they stand.
These events indicate the growing
bond or sympathy between Japan.
England and France I'm political affairs
In China. We anticipate they will act
In concert I'm securing certain conces-
sions for themselves. Our country
must closely watch these events and
be ready TO safeguard its own inter
ests and lend "A helping hand 20 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 inaugurated
by President Roosevelt will be fully
carried out The situation and condi-
tons demand our best men"
Great interest Is shown IN the open
ing OF the first Philippine assembly
here today and In the arrival OF Sec
rotary Taft. which comes at an oppor-
tune time In the Inauguration OF Phil
ippine home rule.
The action Of the assembly on Ques-
tons relating to the political future OF
the Philippines is expected 70 be deter
mined largely 10y the opinion expressed
by Secretary Tart In his address open
ing the session. This is the view held
by Filipinos as well as Americans.
The latter are generally in favor OF a
specific pronouncement on Philippine
policy.
The course Of legislative action viii
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. Il is not likely that
party spirit will play much part in the
assembly's future owing TO personal
differences within the parties.