Omaha daily bee., 1915-11-30
GARRISON MAKES
ATTACK ON TAFT
Secretary Severely Arraigns Former
President for Criticism Of
Philippine Policy.
ISSUES REPORT ON ISLANDS

issued a formal statement today
sharply arrsigning former President
William A. Taft for having lent his
name TO what are termed state
ments mendacious in character and
mischievous in intent with relation
TO conditions in the Philippine
islands under the present administra-
ton. Circulation of these state
ments, Mr.. Garrison charges, show
plainly that the republican polit-
clans are attempting TO lay the foun-
dalton for campaign material with
respect to the Philippine islands"
Particular attention Is gwen by the sec
Rotary to articles written by O. Garfield
Joses and published in a California news
paper. and later repubIished In pamphlet
form under the title Unhappy condi-
tons in the Philippine Islands, with an
introduction by Mr.. Taft. The introduce
ton attributed the conditions descriL ed
20 the blind and foolish policy OF PTesi-
dent Wilson and Governor General Har-
rison"
Garrison's Letter.
In connection with his comment Ar.
Garrison makes public a letter which he
says was written recently BY Jones to
the department asking where a news
paper market might be found for a
much better article which he had pre-
pared on Tho F'ilipinos and the Demo-
cratic Regime" declared TO be highly
favorable 20 the administration.
The statement follows:
1T is becoming very plain that the re-
publican politicians are attempting to
lay the foundation for campaign material
with respect 10 the Philippine islands.
There have recently appeared a series OF
interviews or articles exhibiting n shame
less intention In this matter. These state
ments are mendacious in character and
mlschievous In intent Many OF them
proceed from sources so inconsideraole
as 10 carry little u any weight, even II
undenied. Others. however. are fathered
by men whose names and prominence
supposedly lend weight 20 their utters
ances. II IL inconceivabie that even par-
tisan eal would lead these men 10 50
stultify themselves.
Realizing that the honor and good
faith OF this nation were involved In It's
relations to the Filipino people. l have
absolutely abstained from any partisan
comment or conduct with respect to this
subject The United States took over an
enormous responsibility which should be
carried out In the highest spirit OF good
faith and aItruism. and all those who
reapoct tho good name OF this country
should at least refrain from mIsrepre-
sentation and false statements concern
tng conditions.
Concefved An Heat Auirit
The government instituted In the
islands by the United States was con-
ceived In the best spirit and has In the
main been carried out In the most worthy
way. such mistakes as have been made
were only such as are inevitable In the
conduct OF human affairs. That govern
naent has been continued In the same
spirit by the present administration. and
conditions. Eovernmentally considered.
were never better than they are In the
Philippine islands today.
The bill which was pending In the
last congress. and which viii be brought
before the ncxt congress. Is exactly In
line with all that has heretofore been
done In the Islands. and II simply the
next proper logical step to be taken to-
ward Seveloping the people thereof for
self-Government No honest reading and
consideration OF the measure can lead 10
any other conclusion. Because the pre-
amble OF that bill repeated In concrete
language that which has been substan-
TALLY stated TO be the position OF this
country from the time OF President Nc
inley on down. Il has been falsely labeled
an Independence" bill, and the impress
sion has been widely conveyed that II
alters ia some vital. radical way the or
derry progress the acknowledgment Of
che Filipino people. such an interpreta-
ton creates an absolutely false impress
sion.
President Taft. when governor general
of tho Phiiippine Islands was the first
one TO announce that tn emotto OF the
American administration was the Philip
pines for the Ftlipinos' II eproperly and
bitterly resented criticisms against him
for taking this position. He constantly
stated that this was the only position
which anyone, acting In good faith and
with the honor OF hia government In his
keeping. could take; that from the very
beginning this was the announced policy
Of this country constantly itersted and
reiterated by the presidents Of this eoun-
Try. By its representatives and by itz
congress. No one had 20 plainly set forth
as has president TAFT the malicious rnis-
representation. the mendacious state
Snonts and the vicious accaults that pro-
coed from those In the Philippine Islands
szho are not permitted TO exploit the ma
dives an dthe country for their own bene-
at
Taft Justified In Attack.
President Taft was absolutely justified
in his bitter denunciation OF those at
lacks. which makes Il all the more amas
Eng TO find him INDUCING In exactly tn,
same conduct toward those who are nov
occupying positions OF trust and respon
sibility nthe Philippine government.
There lately appeared q series OF AZ
tieles In a newspaper called the Oakland
Tribune subsequently, they were pub
iished N a pamphlet entitled The Un
happy Conditions in the Philippine Isl
ands.' By Q. Garfield Jones', former Phil
tppine department Of education, with al
introduction by ex-President william
Howard. tart. former governor general o
the Philippines In the introduction ex
President Taft says:
have read with much interest Nj
o. Garfield Jones article on present con
ditions IN the philippines. published re
Gently IN the Oakland Tribune. It Il no
news iOsme.
What he says OF the demoraiizatio
IN the present government, due 20 IN