New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-03
TAFT SAYS DON'T
FREE FILIPINOS
Continued from page !

per cent know that their lives and their
property would be in danger
Mr.. Taft predicted that II indepen-
Gence were granted there would be
scramble for Offices and Christians
would turn upon non-Christians. The
Job of governor Of the Moro province
would not be sought by Filipino after
the first years experience" he added
in explanation of the attitude of the
MorOS toward the Christians.
4 Bryan Issue.
The obligation Of the Democrats
under their party platform was also
commented on by Mr.. Taft, who sug-
eested that other party promises had
been deemed unwse and ignored after
they had been formulated. Il don't
believe the people OF this country re-
gard the Philippine plank as para
mount issue at ALL" he said. THE
Philippine independence was para
mount issue with Bryan. IL was an
emphatic issue with Parker. During
the last campaign-and was there
abouts-I never heard ii mentioned"
As a result of the strong pleas OF
Mr.. Taft and Dean Worcester there
is strong undercurrent in the COM
mittee in favor Of eliminating the pre-
amble or modifying il TO meet IN some
measure the objections made against
it. II is also probable that the bill
itself will be materially amended and
the measure of autonomy conferred by
it materially reduced.
"What we attempted TO do IN the
islands and what ] hope we may SIN
do" said Mr.. Taft at the outset Of his
ush ufa
were doing when the new era dawned
cut there under Governor General Har-
rison-was 20 retain control and guid-
ance and give a good constitutional
as an object lesson, TO have
The government participated in but not
controlled by the natives; 10 give them
hook and economic education and an
other view of political institutions by
a knowledge OF the language Of free
institutions.
you cannot make one generation
over. Certainly you cannot make over
a generation OF adults. 80 per cent OF
whom are wofu.ly ignorant and utter
" out of touch with any modern clvili-
zation. You cannot make them over;
il is not possible. You can talk about
il. but you know in your hearts you
cannot do H."
Promises Cause Unrest.
The promises OF immediate inde-
pendence contained in the Democratic
platform have always been the greatest
obstacle 10 peace in tine Philippines
Mr.. Taft maintained IN referring TO the
rccert sedjtious disturbances. Mr..
Bryan's defeat was followed in the ISL
ends. he added By the surrender OF
~ l. q ntrf a
from that time Instruction IN the
mountains has been practically nil.
The Democratic promise OF lnde-
pendence," he said, has been the great
obstruction to the carrying out OF our
plan ever since. | have got 70 say so.
IL Is what is now returning TO plague
the party itself when IL is IN power;
in this respect-they look back 10
those promises and their politicians
are very quick 10 call their attention
70 them.
This revolution, or so-ealled revo-
luton. does not amount 20 anything
so far as the suppression Of Il Is con-
cerned. This man Ricsrte is one OF
the few that have come down from my
time. He was bugsboo when | was
out there. He belongs TO the class
Of professional reyolutionists and
maintains mis- position in Houg-kong'
and every little while seiLes an oppor-
tunitv 10 send over collectors 20 get
the money that he lives on in Hong
Kong. In order 10 justify the eolIee-
lions. he has 20 make a showing; !
assume from what ! have seen and
what I have heard that he IS making
a showing on the ground that, now
the Democratic party has come in,
there was promised independence. that
A bill was introduced fixing a time for
.naspsnssnes. and nay thai bill has