The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1908-10-23

the Philippines under the civil COM
mission. In preparation for my book
on The Philippines and the Far East.
was given access by Judge Taft to
any and all documents which wished
to see, and thus ! had unusual oppor-
tunities for securing first-hand in
formation as to the Legislative and ad-
ministrative work which was carried
forward in the islands during that Pc
Rod
while we, as Protestant ministers,
differed with Judge Taft on many
questions and were compelled to op-
pose him andYthe commission In GER
tain legislation which was proposed, !
am clearly convinced that MIR. Taft
himself did all that could be reason
ably expected of him in his attempts
to be entirely fair as between the dii-
ferent commercial and religious par
ties with which he had to deal.
II have looked tho ground over
thoroughly and have concluded that
he will give us the best adm!nistra-
tion of any man now a candidate for
president, and l shall vote for him.
He is, undoubtedly, one of the ablest
! administrator who ever has addressed
himself to the task of governing Asia
tic peoples. say this after | have
lived for eight years in British India,
during the large part OF which time
my duties required me to teach the
history OF that empire"
One Of the COuntry's Greatest States.
men.
The Rev. DR.. Arthur J. Brown, Sec
retary OF the board OF foreign mis-
sions OF the Presbyterian church, and
author of a book, entitled THE New
Era in the Philippines" also is en-
thusfastic over the work and the as
sistance which Taft, as governor gen.
eral of the Philippines, gave to the
various religious sects in striving to
educate and uplift the Filipinos. He
spent several months in the islands
when Governor Taft was there. In
his book he shows his appreciation
of Governor Taft's cooperation with
the church movement. He says that
Taft realized that the chief deficiency
OF the Filipino was character, and
that the church would help tremen-
dously in the education and moral
upbuilding of the natives. He praises
Taft's work in obtaining the enact
ment of law which permits all relig-
ious sects to own land in the islands.
Referring to the work of the United
States in the islands, he says:
"As American citizens, wo may
cherish a pardonable pride that dur
ing this emergence of our country as
as Asiatic power. our national pol
icy has been shaped by such men as
President Mckinley, President Roose-
velt. Secretary Of State Hay, Secre-
tary of War Root and Governor Cen
eral Taft. No other Americans since
Washington have had to grapple with
more stupendous problems. Our his
tory furnished no precedents to guide,
the new peoples no intelligence to
help. Order, liberty and justice had
to be newly created out of chaos,
bondage and oppression.
| Amid these extra and difficult con-
ditions, these men have shown a bold
ness of initiative, wisdom of execu-
ton, fertility of resource and a
breadth of mind and heart which
place them among the greatest states
men. There should be no politics in
our support of their policy, no Sec
tarianism in our prayer that the God
of nations may continue to guide
Alright those upon whom such solemn
responsibilities now rest"
Gratitude Of Religious Sects.
John R. Mott, secretary of the in
ternational committee of the Young
Mems Christian association, stanch
Methodist and worker who, by his
energy and ability, has accomplished
wonders for his association in many
parts of the world, praised highly
today the aid which Judge Taft gave
to religious organizations in the Phil
ippines. He was aided greatly, he
said, by letter Of Introduction which
Taft, as secretary of war, gave him
when he went to the Philippines to
raise money with which to help in
constructing Y. M. C. A. building in
Manila. The committee furnished
more than 100000, while Manila Cit
izens gave $4,000.
ut is difficult to exaggerate." said
Mr.. Mott, 'the Importance of the SER
vice rendered by Judge Taft to the Y.
M. G. A. and to the cause of Christian
missions in the far east. His fair
mindedness and his generous SYM
pathy have won the hearts and minds
of all persons, of all religions or no
religion, who know what he has ac-
complished there.
anyone who may, like myself,
have questioned the wisdom of the
United States continuing to occupy
the Philippine Islands, would most
certainly entertain an entirely differ
ent opinion were he to visit these
islands today and note the changes
which have been wrought as a direct
result of American occupation and
achievement. Within less than ten
years there has been built up stable
government-insular, provincial and
municipal. A body of laws has been
enacted which challenges favorable
comparison with the statutes of any
country. Ladronism, the curse of the
islands, has been suppressed, and
peace, order and justice prevail. San
itary regulations have been introduc-
ed and enforced to such an extent
that Manila bids fair soon to become
the most healthful city in the tropics,
Notwithstanding its unfavorable loca-
ton. Millions Of dollars have been in
vested In substantial material i'm.
ments. especially in Manila. Imprdv-
ed postal and telegraphic commurfca.