The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-18
Does Not Announce His Policy.
WAR SECRETARY IN MANILA
Contests Between Factions in the Filipino Assembly.
Big Secretary Lunches with Ger. Leonard Wood ana Takes am Auts spin over the City of
 ManiIa.

Manila. Oct. 17--seeretary of War Taft was entertained at luncheon today by Major General Leonard Wood, com- mander of the military division of tho Philippines. In the afternoon he ats tended a reception at the Jesuit col- lege and this evening he was present at reception given in his honor by the officers of the Army and Navy col- lege.
 MT. Taft Is not inclined to discuss Philippine issues until after the o1iciai banquet. which Is to be given him Mon- day next. when he wilI outline shA future policy of the Government to- ward the islands.
 The general impression caused among the Filipinos by the Secretary's speech at the opening of the Assembly yesterday Is excellent. but the Ameri- can papers here call for . prompt an- nouncement of the Governments policy toward the islands, and declare that Mir. Taft evaded any positive state~ ments on the subject. and alIege that his speech was rehearsal of the ad- dresses which he made here two years ago.
 A clash occurred in the Assembly today between the President, ZierKo osmena Nationalist. and Dominador Gomez who seconded the prestdenf'a d nomination. yesterday in warm speech and who, during the afternoon Aes- sion yesterday, delivered an address de. claring against bringing into iegisia. ture business and asking the delegates to show their patriotism by EOrsakinm party affiliations ana legieIatium for the benefit of the Philippine people.
 Gomez. whose election is to be con- tested. but who was coHmally sworn in with the other assenhlymen yeetar~ day. made an appeal to the delegates 70 disregard politics but the president stopped Gomez and announced that ha would use his authority as president of the Assembly to have 1t stricken from the records. The delegates vVara surprised at this carry beginning of tIs e fight. =
 The adherents of Gomez. who is Faad- CT of the famous Katipunan reyolu- tionary society and ex-president of the party, during the course of the day's proceedings in the Assembly. defeated plan to rush through that body a series of special rules for parIia iaersa. !. " procedure to secure the temporary adoption of the rules. and 1t is under. stood that he win not permit them to be changed.
 Petitions against the confirmation ne the election of seventeen delerafes al1 of whom are alleged to be unfit to fake @ part in lsgislation for the islands. were
 4 Joint Session.
 loint session of the Philippine place this afternoon for the pnrpose of hearing the message of Governor Csn- eral Smith, on the state of the gaIanala He reviews the history of the phfI- ippines and pointed out what had been accumulated by the Americans in comparison with the Spaniards. show ing that the American rule had meant improvement. the reduction of taxation. and better distribution among fhe rich and poor alike, of the expenses of government. which were less than iu any other country in the world having a similar population. He referred to the fact that the Legislature of the Islands Is similar toN that of several other countries and advised spending on schools. the money which hitherto had been used in the suppression ok disorders in various parts of the Ialands.
 The Governor General criticized the Filipino municipalities for their tndif- ference. neglect and extravagnnee, ana advised the adoption of laws providing for a better administration of munich pai affairs. Much of the. laciA If de- veiopment of the Islands. he said, was due to this maladministrafion. eapec-l iaIiy the failure to maintain In good condition the roads which the gov ernment had built. Referring to the finances of the Islands. the Governur Ceneral stated that the Assembly would be held strictly to account by the people in this connection and gave the figures for the receipts. Sxpendlt- ures, etc, of the flscal year of 1906-O7
 Secretary Taft, during the day, made A tour of Manila in an automobiles and carefully inspected the improvements made since his last visit to the Islands. He declared that the progress of the mast two years was very great and ex- pressed himself as being highly pleas- ed with the condition of affaire In this city, and the reports submitted by the Governors of the Philippine Prov- incas.
 Reiterates His Denial.
 isMr. Taft reiterated his denial that he was disappointed by the result of tha recent elections. and said that the re~ sult was just what he expected. He ex> Dressed confidence that the deiegases to the Assembly would see the advantaNS of unfolding the present sys'om or Rovernment; said he was satishs1 with ths election of OSmena to the Press- denev of the Assembly. of whose ahll- itv he spoke highly. and added that he tIousht the Assembly had made an suspicious beginning which prssase1 good work in the future.