The Cairo bulletin., 1907-09-11
FROST FOR TAFT
IN PHILIPPINES
SAYS SENTATIVE HULL, OF
IOWA, HEAD OF MILITARY
COMMITTEE.
SELF GOVERNMENT BAD
For Flipinos--Pacific Fleet is No
Menace Except to Some Nation
Contemplating Devil
ment.

IloiiON
In the opinion Of Representativ
Hull, of Iowa chairman of the hous
committee on military affairs, Secrc
tary Taft will meet with frost whes
he arrives in Manila Hull has hat
some financial interests in the Phil
ippines, has visited the islands aac
keeps in close touch with them. II,
says that the natives have discovered
that Secretary Taft is weakening IL
his ideas about Philippine self-gov
ernment, and consequently no longer
have the fond affection they formerly
entertained fer him.
Mr.. HULL was asked today If he
thought the visit of Mr.. Taft would
have the effect of quieting the unrest
aud dissatisfaction that have lately
been noticeable in the islands.
He expressed a contrary opinion
He said Il think Taft has chang ad
his views with regard to the Philip
pines. The people over there are just
beginning to understand this and are
getting down on him. Mr.. Taft is
great, big man, with big brain,
but he is a splendid optimist. He be
lieyed in the beginning that the Fill.
pinos would develop more rapidly
than they have, and he thought they
would be ready for self government
much sooner than events have proved.
There is no people who develop moro
rapidly than the Filipinos up to a
certain point, but when they reach
that point they stagnate.
"There viii be real trouble unless
we stop this internal talk about self,
government. We must put an end 70
those half-civillzed people
with the idea that they are fit to gov
ern themselves. Some day IL they
are fit to govern themselves, they will
have a government like our territor-
les. They will not be fit for this for
SO years, and in the meantime we
must stop this independence tax
the half-baked people over
there. would say to them: If you
are good we will reward you, and If
you are not good we will spank you,
but, under all conditions, we are go
ing to keep you When they under
stand this, they will settle down. AS
.hings are now, they interpret our
kindness and Indulgence as fear
Many of the leading natives told me
his when was last over there"
Mr.. Hull criticised the extravaganza
hat prevails under the present form
)f government. There is reason,
ne said. for great economies in the
administration of the Philippine Coz
ernment. There are entirely too
many governors maintained at great
expense. They have 4S governors,
where 10 would be ample. There are
hree governors on the little island of
oanay which is only 80 miles wide
md so miles long"
The chairman Of the military com.
nittee entertains definite ideas about
he future of the Philippines, and also
strongly indorses the project of sen1-
nc the fleet TO the Pacific.
I'VE are not going to sell the
he said, "and so what's
he use Of people wasting time talk
ng about 1t. In Iowa we feel that W.
AVE a right to send the fleet anywhere
We please, and If any nation has
hin on its shoulder and wants to
,bject to this plan the sooner we fini
: out the better.
I'VE certainly have right to send
,ur fleet to any of our possessions,
nd no nation has a right to assume |
hat such action is a threat. Unless
uch a nation is contemplating devil |
nent, IL is not threat.
The people of our Eastern coast
eem TO be afraid that II the ships go
heir homes will be bombarded. II
trikes me that the citizens of Boston |
md New York are under the impres !
ion that warships are built solely for
hem. The movement Of the fleet
viii be a splendid demonstration NJ
he navy's power. not only to Japan. /
,ut to all the world. II Japan takes
,mbrace at it. it would show TO my
mind that they contemplate something
hev have no business TO contemplate. 4
md the sooner we find IL out the
,etter il will be. don't believe Jap |
m wants war with Us at this time
Ne have some possessions that japan
would be glad 20 fail heir to. but the
Anglo saxon race is a mighty poor 7,
ace to give up what it hast is more
kelly to reach out for more re-
reat that We have the Philippines.
md We get lots Of grief out OF that,
mt the only thing TO 10 is to face
be music and do the best We can"