The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-11-30
TAFT PUT ON SPIT

lContinued from Page One-I
which he says was written recently by
Jones to the department, asking where
a newspaper market might be found
for a much better article which he
had prepared on The F'ilipinos and
the Democratic Regime" declared to
be highly favorable to the administra-
ton
The statement follows:
1T is becoming very plain that the
Republican politicians are attempting
to lay the foundation for campaign
material with respect TO the Philippine
island There have recently appeared
aessries of interviews or articles eX-
hibiting a shameless intention in this
matter. These statements are men
dacious in character and mischlevous
in intent Hanyo the proceed from
sources so inconsiderable as to carry
little. If any, weight, even If undenied.
Others, however, are fathered by men
whose names and prominence sup
posedly lend weight to their utter
ances. 1t is inconceivable that even
partisan zeal would lead these men so
to stuItify themselves
Z. S. Honor Involved.
Realizing that the honor and good
faith of this nation were involved in
its relations to the Filipino people, I
have absolutely abStained from any
partisan comment or conduct with re-
SDScI TO LIlS SUBJECT ne 0I14IGN
States took over an enormous respon-
sibility which should be carried out in
the highest spirit of good faith and
altruism. and all those who respect the
good name of this country should at
least refrain from misrepresentation
and false statements concerning con-
ditions.
THE government instituted in the
islands by the United States was con-
ceived in the best spirit, and has in the
main ha0n carried the most
worthy way. Such mistakes as have
been made were only such as are IN
evitable in the conduct OF human ar
fairs. That government has been con-
tinued in the same spirit by the pres
ent administration. and conditions, gov
ernmentally considered. were never
better than they are in the Philippine
islands today.
last c ngress and which will be
brought before the next congress is
exactly in line with all that has here
tOfore been done il the Islands, and
is simply the next proper logical step
to be taken toward developing the
people thereof for self-gOvernment-
No honest reading and consideration
of the measure can lead to any other
conclusion. Because the preamble of
that bill repeated in concrete language
that which has been substantially
stated to be the position of this coun-
try from the time of President Nc
Kinley on down. it has been falsely
labeled an independence bill. and the
impression has been widely conveyed
that it affairs in some vital, radical
way the orderly progress OF the self
development of the Filipino people.
Such an Interpretation creates an alb
solutely false impression
Taft's Motto Recalled.
president Taft. when governor
general of the Philippine islands. was
the first one to announce that the
motto of the American administration
was The Philippines for the Filipinos-'
He properly and bitterly resented /
criticisms against him for taking this /
position. He constantly stated that
this was the only position which one
acting in good faith and with the |
honor of his government in his keep /
ing. could take; that from the very I
policy of this country constantly tier /
rted by the presidents of this country, /
by its representatives, and by its con- /
Eress. No one has so plainly set forth I
as has President Taft the malicious I
Misrepresentation, tne medaciOus I
statements, and the vicious assaults /
that proceed from those in the Philip |
pine islands who are not permitted to 1
exploit the natives and the country for I
their own benefit
president Taft was absolutely JUS |
titled in his bitter denunciation of /
these attacks, which makes it all the /
more dfldZl1lS 70 llIlu MIN managing
in exactly the same conduct toward /
those who are now occupying posi-
tions of trust and responsibility in the /
Philippine government
Introduction by Taft.
There lately appeared = series of +
articles in newspaper called the /
Oakland Tribune. Subsequently they (
were published in pamphlet entitled I
The Unhappy Conditions in he Phil /
ipDine Islands, by O. Garfield Jones, +
former member of the Philippine de- /
part-neu- of education, with an in /
PRODUCTION by eX-President Villa I'M /
Howard Taft Former Govern 0r-Cfen-
craI Of the Philippines In the in /
PRODUCTION ex-President Taft SAYS:
q. 1 have read with much interest !
M .. Garfield Jones article on pres
ent conditions in the Philippines pub