The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-11-11
TAFT AND PHILIPPINES.

TRf AND
The election of Taft makes his
presidency full of promise to the Phil
ippines This is made more pertinent
by the calls paid on him by Cameron
Forbes, vice governor of the Philip
pines and Mr. Luzuriga Filipino
member of the commission. Both
these are returning to the Philippines
after a campaign of information.
That campaign of information is
needed seems evident not only to the
Fillipinos but to President Roosevelt.
The Manila Merchants association
has undertaken the task of publicity
and it will be largely in the form of
magazine articles written by men cog
infant of the situation in the islands.
Speaking of this propaganda of the
Manila Merchants association, Presi-
dent Roosevelt said:
II am certain that our people feel
an earnest desire to do their full duty
to the Philippines. | am not in the
least afraid of hostility to what we
have done in the island. but some
times / am afraid of Indifference; and
I know that it is often harder to turn
Indifference into interest, than to turn
hostility into approval
The president is right
There can be no criticism of a valid
nature of what has been done in the
eastern possessions.
We took subject people who had
been misgoverned with no voice in
the government and who were in re-
be1lion and by good government of a
preventative nature brought about
tranquil state of affairs.
We established freedom of the
press, freedom of religious belief
Such thing as clear title to land
was almost unknown-today perfect
serveys and clear titles are the rule.
The land had varying and fluctuat-
ing currency-today there is a stable
currency based on the gold standard.
Forest lands were becoming devastedI
and land rents kept the people in a
state of peonage. These, too. have
been remedied
Roads, bridges, railroads and tele-
graph and postal service were anti
quated and useless-all have been i'm
proved and extended in accordance
with the best American methods.
Many more things of material
kind have been accomplished. but
these are no less important than the
improvements in health and educa-
ton. Smallpox, leprosy, the plague
and other diseases were rampant
and sanitary conditions unknown. To
( day the death and sick rate has been
materially lowered and the most sani-
tary conditions are being introduced.
Education was thing to be looked
at from a distance and enjoyed by the
few. Today the boy or girl who does
the exception.
Newton Gilbert, Philippine COM
missioner. in speaking of things done
said:
What may We not expect from the
future now that the foundations are
laid! This has been done in a mo-
ment, as 1t were, done with the ordin-
airy revenues of the islands, done with
less money than was collected from
the same people before we came, done
Notwithstanding opposition at home
and here That opposition is passing.
Here it is gone except in the rare
case of some self seeking politician.
The Filipino has learned our bene-
ficient motives: he notes the great
change in conditions: he sees that ev-
cry promise made has been redeem
ed; he is aiding in the task of devel-
oping the country.
The people at home have learned
much too. Those who opposed take
pride in the achievements of their
countrymen."
The election of William Howard
Taft is one indication of what the peo-
pie think of the Philippine question.
When congress assemblies are We go
ing TO forget them?
Western Texas is proud of Mrs. An
ney McElroy Brett, woman pro-
moter. Today she is The telephone
ouaaU af tho San+hweSf Sha ic ,,rx,S