New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-01
Irritation and Pettiness.

MS reputation lux tdCtlutIO'' "''N -''''
mindedness when he accused eX-Presdent
Taft of trying 70 make partisan capital
by criticising the Wilson administration
policy IN the Philippines. To intimate That
in a matter affecting the good name and
honor of the country Mr.. Tafts partisan
zeal had not been restrained within the
bounds Of truth, decency and fair dealing
was to risk thoroughly deserved reproof.
This the ex-President has delivered with
force which loses nothing because Of its
dignity and moderation.
Mr.. Taft has been singularly consider
ate IN his criticism Of the Wilson admins
traton. He has almost gone out of his
way to avoid the charge of partisan bias
in his comments on administration policies
which are open to attack and which have
been freely attacked by others. 1t is, there
fore. a serious tactical error on Mr.. Gar
rison's part to insult generous and
friendly critic like Mr.. Taft just for the
sake of convicting him Of trivial blum
der. that of having mistaken the character
of an INSCRIPTIONS ex-Philippne office
holder.
Writing an introduction for pamphlet
containing charges against the present
Philippine administration, which are sup
ported by many other credible witnesses,
does not expose Mr.. Taft to the charge Of
knowingly using evidence furnished by an
adventurer for the purpose of misrepre
senting conditions in the Philippines. The
eX-President's record in Office was one of
unselfsh devotion to the Philippine people.
Their welfare was one Of his pet enthusi-
asms, and every word or act Of his bearing
on their fortunes has been inspired by the
truest friendliness and the highest disin-
terestedness.
II is Mr.. Taft's sincere belief that the
policy OF the Wilson administration is
aindering progress in the Philippines, is
,reating unrest there and is raising false
hopes a. to the duration Of the apprentice
ship through which the Filipinos must pass
before they become capable Of self-govern-
ment. His views are the fruit of larger
experience in the Philippines than has been
enjoyed by any other man in public life.
They are entitled to respect, even If they
jar with the superficial judgments Of men
ike Governor General Harrison, Represent
alive Jones and the other Philippine eX-
perts now i'm favor at Washington, who
have imbibed practically all the wisdom.
they possess sitting at the feet of the Hon.
Manuel Quezon and other native Fill
Pine politician.
Mr.. TAFT has led the opposition to the
vicious Jones bill. and in so doing he has
performed o proper public service. He
realizes what a demoralizing effect on the
Filipnos the passage Of that bill must
have. coming on top Of the damage already
done by the Harrison administration. But
this criticism has been fair and above
board. II has not been tinged by partisan
bias Many Democrats doubt the advisa-
bility Of pedging independence 20 the
Filipinos in terms which they will inter
pref one way and the people of the United
States are pretty certain TO interpret in
another way. There can be nothing fac
tious, nothing partisan, nothing unpatri-
cite in an attempt to dissuade Congress
from doing something which will mani
festly make the accomplishment of our
duty TO the Filipinos more rasping and
difficult.
/ What the administration resents is Mr.
Taft's criticism of its mistaken Philippine
policy not his Endorsement Of the O. Gar
/ field Jones pamphlet. That pamphlet will
have few readers; but Mr.. Taft's views,
expressed in speeches and before commit
tees Of Congress, have gone all over the
country. He is really being censured for
exposing a programme Of error But that
need not worry him nor any other critic of
+ the Jones bill and the Harrison regime.
The country is perfectly able to discrim-
mate between the fine spirit which Mr..
Taft has always shown in dealing with the
Philippine problem and the irritsted petit
ness which underlies Mr.. Garrison's i'm
parchment of his fairness and patriotism
The saddest thing about the close Of the
a. ID. 81