The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-10-22
has TAFT CHANGED
PRESIDENTIAL IDEA
MAY RETURN TO PHILIPPINES
AS PRIVATE CITIZEN.
Man Believed to be Theodore Roose-
velt's Candidate For Presi-
dent May Have Made 9th
er Plans for the Future.


Manila. Oct. 19.-At a banquet
given in mis- honor in this city to-
night Secretary of War William H.
Taft made a most Si2niicant state
ment. Ea WAS referring 10 the Fact
that he had alreadp visited the philip
pine islands three times. and in
expressing his intention to come here
again, he said:
"I hope in another two years to
visit Manila again. but then I prob
ably will come asa private citizen. "
The significance Of Mr.. Taft's re-
mark in relation to the chance of his
nomination for the presidency next
year did not seem to strike his aud
ience. The secretary's speech was re-
ceived with much enthusiasm by the
representative Filipinos present
when he declared the government was
anxious and ready to help the busi-
ness prosperity Of the islands.
Secretary Taft opened his address
by declaring that the future pros
perity Of the Philippine island de-
pended primarily on the Fiiipinos
themselves. They must take prog
ess as a nation before they could
obtain the benefits realized by other
nations and it was the duty of busi-
ness men and others contemplating
investment in the Philippines to help
the natl, y better their condition.
It was with the most intense salts
faction that he came to the islands
today and found them quieter than
ever before in their history.
Assembly Established.
He was glad the assembly had been
established and hoped it would take
over some of the responsibility of gov
ernment. He said to capitalists and
others looking for franchises and
concessions that another power Lad
arisen in the land and that 1ereaf-
ter they must come to the assembly
with their requests. He had no doubt
the assembly would carefully consid-
er all questions affecting the welfare
of the islands. That it would not
only look out for the interests Of the
people but would welcome with hber-
ality the investment Of foreign capi-
tai so absolutely necessary to the de-
velopment of the Philippines. The
existence of the assembly would
strengthen the hand of the govern
ment and the government was anx-
ious and ready to help the business
prosperity Of the islands in which
the people themselves were quite as
much interested as the merchants.
This was the beginning Of a per-
iod of prosperity, the speaker assert
ed, and he trusted that under it ev-
erybody would be happy and content
ed.
The secretary declared that he was
not ashamed Of anything in the is
lands and urged the Americans here
to make every effort to bring the Fill
ipino people to realization Of their
wonderful opportunities. He had
been to the Philippines three times
already and he hoped in another two
years to visit the islands again, but
then he probably would come as a
private citizen.
Mr.. Taft's speech at the close was
greeted with cheers.
This afternoon Secretary Taft had
the cornerstone Of the first perma-
nent school house built in Manila un-
der the American regime. He deliv-
cred a short address to the pupils of
the school in which he congratulated
them upon the event.
!