The Washington herald., 1909-03-05

believe the United States in false posi-
tior in remaining IN the Philippines he
had a Ufe place on the United States cir
c,7it bench where his services already
marked him imperatively for promotion
to the Supreme Court, in fulfliment OF
his lifelong ambition. He was practical-
" certain that within a few years ne
would receive the desired appointment
But above all else Mr.. Taft IS an altru-
ist, with a conbativeness just as iargeiy
developed as the sunshiny good nature
which keeps & hidden most OF the tliile'
he needed only the statement OF the
proposition tie President had 70 make
to him in order 10 accept It.
Mr.. Root went at Mr.. Taft with ali lhe
skill which has made him famous as
lawyer. He ccntrasted directly the TWO
uiaces Justice Of the Supreme Court and
chairman OF the Philippine Cofnnllssloh-
one a post Of dignity honor. and comfort
for life. the other an Office OF the most
extreme difficulty, filed with perpleXites
and harassments: its occupant risking MS
health and even his life from tropieai
disease. and certain 10 be assailed per
sistentiy and Indignantly by the enemies
Of the work he was trying 10 do; but with
an opportunity suca as no American.
surely none since the time Of Lincoln,
/ had had. the opportunity 10 lift poor,
/ ignorant and helpless people up into the
/ light Of Iis;s,crty and set them on the path
I 70 freedom and national unity
/ you viii have to resign your judge
ship" said Mr. Root. and you may
never have another chance OF going on
the Supreme Bench. But We need you
/ in the Philippines
Makes His Choice.
"AH right" said Ir. Taft. "TH go"
That was a great day for the Philip
pines. and for the UnIted States as well.
That day 8Ir Taft became godfather to
new nation
| The work Of President Taft in the Phil
ippines IN al its detail and importance
would require a volume 10 tel. His at
titude at first was one Of Cancellation.
and the FilipinOs believed because Mr..
Taft was known to be opposed to retain
ing the Philippines that they would be
able 20 negotiate with him at once But
that there might be no mistake as 10 his
intentions one OF ms first announcements
! when he arrived in the Philippines vas
a declaration OF the definite purpose OF
the United States 10 maintain their SOW
ereignty over the islands Commissioned
/ Taft also declared that the commission
would decline 20 treat with men III arms
with whom IL vas the function OF the
army 10 deal: that the military govern
ment would continue indefinitely. and that
the commissioners were prepared 10 stay
in Manila for three years 10 see civil
] government well begun.
+ hits Straight Out.
The same directness which had marked
his career as lawyer and judge HEX
him in good stead IN the Philippines Il.
went straight TO his purpose. lie hss
4 gone 10 the Philippines on a mission t
fulfil which II was necessary 10 concili
ate the Filipinos. lie began by cIearin.
away all subtIeties and false understand
.ngs. There was 10 be no concealment
no deception. From the first he toll
them the worst that could happen q
them Thereafter he was unhampere
f., IN his honest efforts 10 win their friend
ship The first three months OF his ca
reer in the Philippines Mr. Taft spent f
studying the Philippine character II
set out TO win the sympathy and conf
3 dence Il the Filpinos. He talked wit
them. vas always interested. and neve
. betrayed the least symptom Of weaTiness
B. Any Filipino was welcome at Nr- TAFT
- home OF Office. and every man had an op
portuuity 10 say all that he desired
, FriarS in Control.
Blr. Taft soon learned that the principa
factors in the disaFec,Ion Of the Filipino
I were the domination OF the friars VII
- had been in charge Of the churches, thei
= enforced expulsion from any p8rticipa
h ton - the government, except IN sue
- u1imp0rta1t places as they could puI
/ chase. the oppression and tyranny Of a
} unjust and arbitrary government. the
unsaustied yearnins for education. an
their inability 70 secure a title and peace
2 able possession Of their homes
The policy Of attraction had bee
5 working extremely vel FOR about thrs
months when Mr. Taft began the estaf
Z lishment Cf civil government IN some q
e The municipalities and provinces. TheI
l again he save the FiiipinOs a new vie
{ OF their new governor he had promise
= that they should haze as large mea.
2 ure Of participation IN their g0vernmeT
= as was possible. This involved teachin
p them how little equipped they were f.
g such participation MT- Taft and Il
= commission held open hearings wherevJ
s they went. Any and all Filipinos weI
q welcome 20 attend and say ali they wisl
cd. They could make suggestions an
criticisms and arguments 20 their heart
- content. Mr.. Taft set no limit He Il.
tened fer hours 10 the long-winded d:
courses Of men who had nc conceptio
5 whatever OF the true principles Of sci
= government. once or twice some Of III
J. less patient colleagues protested at II
G waste OF time"
h Let EN- go on" replied M Tai
: For once the Filipin0s shall have
: chance 10 say all they want TO-
Tour Of Provinces.
n When it came time 10 establish provir
= ciaI governments the commission made
: great tour Of the provinces. visitin
more than thirty Of them, some OF the
: TWO or three times. Here Mr.. Taft can
face 20 face with the people OF all Il
4 islands. and won them as he had thos
+ whom he had met in Manila IN eac
E. province a public meeting was held f
e the discussion Of the law. Mr.. Taft bega
il by reading the law. and explaining sue
e Of its provisions simply and directly, 5
4 that all could understand. He took cal
Z. 20 show them how many matters wei
o left 10 the determination Of the prOvinC
o itself and how largely they would shal
Al in their government Then he invite
general discussion
= The business over. there was always
n banquet and a bale" MT. Taft mad
i il point always 20 take in at the bar
n quet one of the leading native wome
= And he went religiousiy through z
.c courses At the first halle" he surprise
% the members Of the party by leading o.
the wife of the local 'presidente" fer Il
8 first dance. 1t was the old SPANS
.e quadrille, called the ''Rigadon-" II ";
Y a complicated figure, but Air. Taft wei
is through with hardly a slip. and dance
II as well as the lightest Filipino there.
n the immense qualification Of all the n;
ID tiveS. Nir. Taft had foreseen that situi
p ton. and had had young Filipino mai