The morning journal-courier., 1908-10-03

the now historic scene of the battle, iii whicn ten years ago American tars were so slgnally successful, and on up toward the quays, It was a significant reception that was given the fleet, truly noisy but for all that sincere, thus typically American, and truly picturesque and beautiful, thus truly Spanish. It was, perhaps, the greatest day Manila has known since Dewey came with the stars and stripes, Thousands yelled their throats hoarse with the pure joy and exhilaration of the spectacle.
 There have been many changes in the Philippines since tho Americans took possession there. Ten years have meant much to the islands. In 1898 they were in a chaotic condition. They then seemed scarcely worth the American blood, the American dollars and the vast amount of American en- ergy that needed to be sacrificed to make them Q worth while American possession Tho ten years saw the coming and tho going of many Amer leans of great ability, Each of them gave of his best to better the islands. Among the latter, towering heal and shoudcring above all tho rest, was William Howard Taft, who, as gov crnor of tho islands got nearer to the pulsc of the people than any one else has to date Al his coming the peo- pic were not at all friendly 10 the corners from the United States either in Manila or any of the other populous centers, to say notnmg ot the interior, where disorders and open instruction was the general rule By Mir. Taft was difficulty after difficulty surrounded with success and credit. What the Philippines arc to-day and what they can nope to be in the future is due to him more than to any other individual Mr. Tafts record in the Philippines alone would be proof enough to-day of his inborn ability as an executive and of tho wisdom of those who have determined to vote for him this year as president.
 There will be many moro changes in tho Philippines during the next ten years perhaps moro than since 1898. Whether 1918 will find them free and independent of America or any other power can be only matter of con lecture. It will depend more upon the advancement of the islands and the islanders themselves than upon anything else. Certainly those in America, who have been opposed to leaving the Philippines 10 their own resources, as cuba soon will be, arc continually decreasing in numbers, and will continue to do so, as the Philippines continue to show valuable national traits of their own, But, whether under the American flag or a
 flag of their own, the Philippines are sure to play an even more important part in the history of the Far East With the past advances of Japan and the coming advances of China, the eyes of the world are to be turned toward this part of the globe even more than ever before during the next ten years
 The stay of the fleet at Manila will be a memorable one, It is now a long time since our tackles on tneir world-circlng trip have been in Amer lean waters and there will be one con- tinual round of enjoyment for them. It is to be hoped, however that the officers will see the great necessity of strict rules to prevent any of them contracting the dread cholera plague, which has been prevalent in Manila for some weeks, Tne results, should the plague get good hold upon our jacldes, can only be imagined