The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-11-11
TO STEADY AFFAIRS
IN PHILIPPINE
ISLANDS
Effect Of Secretary Taft's Visit
to Far East
AGulNALDO is SATISFIED
Did Not Bring independence, But
Brought the Means OF Attaining 1t
In the Future.

vLADIYOSTOK. Nov. 1.-THE ar.
rival here of Secretary of War Taft
from Manila on the cruiser Rainbow
was attended by a remarkable demon
stration on the part Of the citizens.
The horses were withdrawn from the
carriage in which were seated Mr.
and Mrs. Taft, and 1t was pulled by
schoolboys from the dock through
cheering crowds.
Mr.. Taft before leaving Manila re-
viewed a long military, civic and
school parade on the Luneta, making
q brief address.
In an interview Mr. Taft said:
81 feel deeply grateful for the re-
ception an, entertainment given me
by the people of the Philippine Islands.
1t far exceeds in warmth and sp0n-
tanelty anything | expected, and |
cannot sufficiently express my graft
tude and satisfaction.
"The condition of affairs in the Phil
ippine government is most satisfactory,
and taken throughout the progress
made during the last two years is re-
markable."
The secretary's visit 10 the Philip
pines, just terminated, has been emf
nenty successful. His old hold on
the affections of the people is stronger
than ever When he arrived the POI
litical situation. both native and Amer
lean, was disturbed and uncertain.
The prospective assembly was gener-
ally doubted and distrusted, and even
its friends were dubious about sue
cess.
A feature of the visit of Secretary
of War Taft to Manila was the pres
ence Of Aguinado at several of the
functions. Discussing the probable re-
suits of the visit of Mr.. Taft, Agulnal-
do said
ut is my belief that the benefits to
follow the visit to the people of the
Philippines will be greater than they
can recognize at the present time.
am at present unable to form an opin-
ion offhand of the possible future adj
vantages. but | am confident that it
has done good. The opening of the
assembly has gone a long way to ce-
ment the friendship of my people with
the people of the United States.
"As fultillment of a solemn prom
ise, which many thought would not
be fulfilled, the secretary Of war did
not bring independence for my people
1, .l-..t lint l.n h,,nt ,.,iNt h.
means of attaining it, He told us how
we can get it. The Filipinos are thank
full for the information and pleased at
what the assembly has done, especial
ly in the interests of legislation, edu-
cation ana agricultural"
Mr.. Taft's presence and speech at
the opening of the assembly sobered
and steadied the house. and it is now
working conservatively and steadily.
The war secretarys work among the
various native elements. particularly
urging unity and work to restore agri-
culture and increase commerce. has
also operated to steady the political
situation. His conference with Dom
inador Gomez will probably result in
the partial naturalization of the ex-
IRENE radical group. He leads the
general opposition of the Filipinos to
the Americans. This has been little
tempered by time, and there seems a
growing desire to follow American
.tutelage until the country is on its
feet.
General conditions are infinitely bet
ter now than at any time since Ameri-
can occupation. Agriculture is being
restored rapidly, industries are reviv-
Ing. and If peaceful conditions are
maintained the gains of the next few
years should be enormous. The peo-
pie seem to he appreciating the value
Of the suppression of padronism Gov
ernor Smith is strongly hopeful and
the people themselves prove strong
factor in suppressng local disorders.
The opportunity of free trade with
America is still the greatest need and
the greatest desire Of all elements of
the country. It's concession will prove
the greatest tie of the two peoples.
A London dispatch says that if Sec
rotary of War Taft does not visit Eng
land on his way home from the east it
will be keen disappointment to his
many admirers in the British isles.
Mr.. Taft would, Of course, be received
BY King Edward, and Washington has
been advised through the usual Off
cial channels that Mr. Taft's visit here
would be agreeable.