The National tribune., 1908-10-08
TAFT IN THE PHILIPPINES.
The Wonderful Work Done in Erecting Just
and Fostering Government Out Of aWretched
Chaos.
cBy corbn Army Retired)

My service of years the Philippine Islands, the Com
handing General of the army stationed there, well of
inspection of the islands, 1901 brought into close relations
with the Civil Government that all shall have say concerning
the problems of administration that had be by the Philippine
Commission is personal knowledge The problems of admins
aton the difficult and far than likely
the United States where have laws and precedns for nearly
possible question: the people skilled government
enlightened and alert press keeps constantly advised of public
affairs and acquant with the personalities and the official of
the pubcs representatives in the administration of the Government
in Philippines.
When Judge Philippine head of
the Civil Government he found dsoganzed population of
tribes against the other practically all of
with the United States The only Government the simple
structure erected by the occupation The old Spanish laws of
contemplated their application but little that not
repugnant ideas There established currency
and values subject sliding scale manipulated by the money
changers Ia trust then powerful and ovebearg than
have there practically agriculture
stand famine threatened of the Provinces transportation
facilities confined land to 125 miles of railroad and clumsy
caabao drawn wreced roads, the small
coaswse and crude lorchas The highways
dpoabe condition and the almost unchad There
practically public schools Ignorance universal and M
eracy entirely with native ambition Disease and pesence
prevalent with organized to combat them Organ
lied charities unknown No hospitals offered the sick
There existed religious intolerance inconsistent with freedom of
thought speech action and the maadmnisraion of claiming
represent the Church oppressive that the people aryed
against them in such bitter strife that the benevolene and
Christian spirit always associates with the Church obed
Property and persons the of BANDITS except the
larger of population Land titles uncertain and
imperfect to make impossible for safe investment in real estate
30 A
To men it lot leadership gov
of country beset with disorders and difficulties
the earnest personal solicitation of President Mckinley
that Judge Taft gave up life position the Federal bencha posi-
ton he competent fill and exactly suited his
Ito enter upon this seemingly hopeless task.
When he severed his connection with the affairs of the Philippine
Islands and its people these changes were to be noted:
of representative Government the
legislators elected by the people, Government effective for the per-
feet control of the people and for the development of the
and industries of the islands the guaranteeing the safety life
and property justice to individuals and tranquility to society," The
laws Of monarchy ade procedure
with American practices and ideas became operative.
stable currency devised.
Domestic and foreign expanded agriculture
encouraged The expansion of trade the Philippine Islands during
Judge Tafs connection with the Inuar Government from
European Consu etmate), exports s2o97ss9s, and imports
S2OOO exports amounting $3 900 and imports 900
for the year 1907.
widespread desire created and 900
public schools the Filipino children being taught by upodae
American and native teachers adults ambitious attendants
night schools and at the end of decade of American rule the English
language spoken by the Archipelago than there
spoke Spanish after 300 years of Spanish rule.
Department Of Health created thru whose agency filth
replaced by ceany and sanitary surroundings The vital statistics
of islands compare favoraby with those of the civilized
countries of Europe and America.
of charity helpful the needy but worthy
out inviting slothfuness among them
Judge Tas Christian spirit and ideal grace has made posi-
BILE for the Filipino understand the meaning and enjoy the bless
ngs of religious liberty For the first time any Oriental country
all denominations protestant and Catoc equally free erect
houses worship and to teach their fa and the congregations
without restraint in worshpng God Equal protection of the Gov
ernment is extended to ALL support fostering and
protecting ALL
tion OF Churcla andS
To belief the greatest political question that confronted the
Government in the occupation of the Philippines the
OF the relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the people
and the Church and the State In 1896 there had been nurecton
against the Spanish authority chiefly caused by the relation of the
Church and State which virtually controlled Instead of allowing
these questions to drift along the hope that time solve the
difficulties Judge Taft Immediately set himself study of this
question: and with discretion he mapped of action that
time not satisfactory to of the conflicting interests With the
greatest moral he pursued this policy with the result that
to-day the Church and State separated without mparng
either its sphere of activity The of dissatisfaction
among the people against the Church and indirectly against the
have been removed The criticism opposed
Judge Taft and threatened plan impossible fumen
disappeared entirely and the fruits of his wisdom apparent
the critics either completely slenced have