The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-04-10
SECRETARY TAFTs OWN STORY.
He Tells of His Tour Around the
World--Life Aboard Ship
About the Philippines.
(From the National Magazine. }

Continued from last week.
The PHILIPPINES are today nearer
the Relation of the doctrine of "The
Philippines for the Filipino" thar
they ever have been. There is more
English being spoken in the islands
than Spanish at the present time
Important public enterprises are un.
der way which have attracted the at
tention of careful students of insular
affairs all over the world Water
works are being built under the most
expert scientific advice, public
schools are being built in large num-
bers, and of superior equipment, and
splendid public roads, such as that
to the summer capital of Manila, are
being laid out and constructed.
Plaques have been made practically
impossible, the customary fever per-
iod has been largely robbed of it's
terrors, and sanitary conditions and
the health of the people have been
made subjects of special attention.
While complete independence is
the dream of the people of the is
lands, they are finding that with so
large number of their own people
in charge of the local government, as
office holders they are practically ad-
ministering their own affairs. The
Philippine congress contains many
of the brightest men in the islands,
who are manifesting an enthusiastic
interest in her new responsibilities.
The speaker of the house, Senior Don
Asmena, is progressive and talent
ed young man, who believes in
American ideas and is adapting them
to his large field of usefulness. Hope
fulness and optimism are the domi-
nant notes in the Philippines today
and these are the qualities that make
for success and progress.
The stay in Manila concluded the
official work which | was sent abroad
to do, and the return journey was the
unofficial tour of an American citi-
zen back to his native land and his
home. That 1t was SO full of inter-
esting incidents and kindly attention |
is further evidence of the worlds
regard for the people of the United |
States.
His Stay in China.
There could have been no more |
welcome to the shores of
a far eastern nation than that which
the American visitors were startled
as our launch swung alongside her
dock. The yale" yell, by a lusty
|unged Chinese made us feel at home
indeed. Here, awaiting their Ameri-
can visitor were gathered group of
Chinese Yale graduates, who deter
mined that their Alma Mater should
De fittingly remembered on the &C.
,asion of the visit of fellow grad
late. These are Incidents which
make the thoughtful traveller feel
hat the races of the world are being
Knit into bonds of fellowship which
will never be rent asunder.
A steady round of official courte-
lies greeted our party in China. On
he occasion of garden party given
1t Shanghai, the heavy downpour of
ain only served to accentuate the
excellence of the arrangements, for
he function was instantly transfer
ed indoors to an oriental pavilion
4 exquisite woodwork, and glass,
With elaborate hanging lanterns and
rophies of Chinese art dating back
0 the time of Confucids. Ladies of
he leading families of the city shar-
d in the pleasant entertainment and
resented Mrs. Taft with a souvenir s
( the occasion in the form of I
andsome silver bowl.
At Hongkong the viceroy, Cover
or Sir Edward Lugard, courteously
the American official at y
inner and the China Guild provided (
n entertainment at another time 9
hich was further evidence of good
selling. On every occasion upon the I
lterpretation of the speeches the 6
ldience manifested the most gener- u
Us interest In the expressions of .
indy regard, and applauded in the :,
ost democratic American fashion. i
The sharp contrast between the e
aims of our own west and the in t,
lmerable rivers and watercourses
China was quickly noted, as we'll
J the striking difference between y
g sparsely populated states of the Il
Mon and the dense population of If
e Celestial Empire. 7,
This was the first visit to the Chi :,
'se Empire since previous visit % :,
time when there was important u
scussion of the matter of trade re- ell
lions, and the spirit in which the tc
nerican representative was receiv- i
was pleasant indication of the ~
tisfaction over the relations of the IN
esent. Every year sees the general al