Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-10-21
Taft and Bryan Express
Views on Philippines.
taft Points Out Wonderful Work
Done and Their Future.
Drsn Would Drop Them as Colony
and Keep Only coaIing Station.

New York Oct 20The two Presi-
Dental candidates. William H. Taft
and William j. Bryan, appear as Joint
contributors in the issue of Every
bodys magazine published Tu, sday in
articles dealing with the Philippines
Mr. Tai. has for his text, What the
United States has done for the Philip
zines. and Mr.. Bryan discussed. Why
the Philippines Should BE Inderend-
ent" Eleanor Franklin Egan also
contributes an article on Americas
Record in the Philippines.
In opening his discussion of the sub
ject, Mr.. Taft declares that after the
Treaty of Paris was ratified the ques-
ton as to the wisdom of the acuuisi-
ton of the islands no longer was an
open one. There could be no difference.
thereafter, he argues, as to the extent
of our obligations to the Philippin peo-
pie.
Party lines were not drawn in the
Senate when the vote was taken on
the question of the ratification of the
treaty. adds Mr.. Taft. THE SEN
ators voting evidently dealt with the
subject from a purely non partisan
standpoint and as involving a great
question of national policy, Il sthey
should have done. Democrats We're
found voting for the treaty and Re-
publicans against it, and vice versa
Mr. Brown appeared at the Capitol
and was in conference with doubling
and opposing Democratic senator's,
urging them to vote for the ratitica-
ton of the treaty; and it does not
admit Of doubt that but for his eff
forts and influence the treaty woulc.
have beer rejected"
That these circumstances led Mr.. Nc
K1nley to make the commission which
was to establish civil government in
the islands non-partisan is Mr.. Taft's |
conclusion and he goes on to say that
no consideration of partisan politics |
at any time entered into the question |
of appointing the numerous officials |
and employees of the government. There |
were perhaps as many Democrats as
Republicans thus appointed. This policy |
mas never been departed from. and to- |
day the governor general of the Phil |
iDpine islands is a life long Democrat |
The undertaking policy of the commits |
sion, however. has been, as fast as va |
cancieS occurred which could be filled |
by Filipinos as we'll as by American.
to give the former the preference As Il |
result Of this policy today three men,
berS of the supreme court OF the is I
lands are Filipinos. The attorney gem
cral Of the islands is a Filipino. Fully
half of the Judges of the courts of first
instance are Filipinos. The governors of
provinces and a majority of the pro-
cinvial boards are Filipinos. All of the
municipal officers and at least So per
cent. of the officials and employees of
the 1nsular government are Filipnos."
Then the establishment of the Fill
pino government to take the place of
the commission created by the Presi-
dent and the Inauguration of the popu-
lar assembly a year ago is described.
I'm the light of these disputed facts,
declares Mr., TAFT, cit is difficult to I'M
derStand how the action of the Chief |
Executive. the Congress of the United |
States and the commission as above |
set forth can he denominatcd a dsas-
trous experiment in Imperialism. So
far from its being an experiment in |
lmncrlallSHI it is an experiment. and Il |
novel one. in preparing for self gox"rn-
mcnt an undcvcloped people who had |
for nearly 400 years been under the |
domination of Il mcdiacval monarchy"
MI. Taft points out that tn" great ma |
iority % i'ilipinos appreciate that indie
rendence would not be Il blessing to them |
in the absence of Il proteCtorate.
II think il may De truthfullv stated" |
he says that the Flipinos generally feel |
that what are doing there is not II |
brake upon their legitimate aspirations |
hut an impulse given to their growth and
development along safe and sensible
lines"