The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-27
HOME RULE FOR
 THE F|LIPINOS
Not Much Interest Shown in
 Coming Elections
TAFT WILL BE ON HAND
Secretary Will Sail for Manila Sep- tember 10-PoIitical Situation Is So Mixed That No One Can
 Tell the Result.

Manila, July 26.-The approach of the first Philippine general election on July 9O when a Philippine congress will be chosen, is marked by considerable apathy throughout the islands in spite of the strenuous efforts made by the leaders to bring out the vote.
 Reports received from the provinces indicate that less than 10 per cent of the entire voting population has registered it's intention to take advantage of this first opportunity to elect delegates to the congress. It is expected that the total registered vote is less than 60060. Leaders adopted every expedient to cre- ate interest in the election, but without success The complexion of the cam palgn is not clear. The progressives, Secretary Tafts old party. did not At the outset seem to have much of a fol- lowing, but the situation Is so changed that prediction that the outcome would be futile.
 The death sentences passed upon Sa- kay, Montalon, Villafuerte and Bevga outlawry were confirmed by the supreme court today This action in the case of Sakay is thought to signify the political death of Domino Gomez, a nationalist leader. Gomez acted for the agent of the government in persuading Sakay and his followers to surrender and promised that they never would be convicted.
 The Philippine elections which are about to occur give definite realization to the long contention for Philippine home rule b the establishment of a Philippine con gress or assembly representing all the islands except those of the warike Moros and other non-Christian tribes. Five years ago the American congress passed an ate authorizing the establishment of Philippine assembly whenever the presi- dent shall be satisfied that conditions of general and complete peace have been established. The condition of peace was certified to by the president of the Phlippins and the Philippine commission fix the basis of representation. Mean fix the basis of representation. eMan- time the Philippine commission adopted an election law and on March 29, last, President Roosevelt issued an executive order for an election. the date of which was fixed for July 9O
 The assembly consists of eighty-one members. apportioned on the basis of one delegate for each 90,O00 persons. out the full membership may be increased to 100. To some extent it corresponds to the lower branch of the American con- act as an upper branch or senate. Similar act as an upped branch or senate. Similar to the American system. the delegates hold office for two years.
 Provision has been made to give na- tives of the islands ample opportunity to serve as delegates at the same time opportunity Is given the influential Amer ican and foreign residents to become can ddates after a bona fide residence of six months Care has been taken, however, to prevent public officials from becom- ing delegates in the assembly. Ability to speak, read and write English or Span ish and a small property qualification are among the requirements for being a delegate.
 Secretary Taft's visit to the Phillip pines will occur at a time when the first assembly Is open and will be a notable inauguratio of the new home rule regime. MT Taft sails from Seattle on the steam CT Minnesota on September 10.