The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1915-12-03
Sec. GARRlSUN
ON DEFENSIVE
Former Pres. Replies Show
ing up Administration.
Criticism Of lnefficiency in ! hilip
pine Policy Charged As
Partisan Thrust.

Washington. Nov. 29.-Secretary
Garrison. OF the War Department,
issued a formal statement today
sharply arraigning former President
William II. Taft for having lent his
name 10 what are termed STATEMENTS
chievous In intent" with relation to
conditions in the Philippine Islands
under the present administration. Cir
culation OF these statements, Mr.. Gar
rison charges. show plainly that the
Republican politicians are attempt
ing to lay the foundation for cam
paign material with respect to the
Philippine Islands.
Former President Taft in another
statement answers Secretary CARR
son. denying charges Of craftsmanship
on his part. and showing that Gov
ernor General Harrison has caused
the removal OF 1913 efficient officials
in the Philippine service. purely for
political reasons.
Mr.. Taft declares the policy OF
the administration in the island is
leading the country into critical cit
uation by holding out to the natives
II delusion that they soon are to be
given their independence.
Particular attention is given by
the Secretary to articles written by
q. Garfield Jones, and published in
California newspaper and later re-
published in pamphlet form under the
title Unhappy Conditions In the
Philippine Islands," with an intro
duction by Mr.. Taft. The introduc-
tion attributed the conditions describ-
ed to the blind and foolish policy of
President Wilson and Governor Cen
eral Harrison
In connection with his comment
Mr.. Garrison makes public a letter
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 Fill
pinos and the Democratic Regime"
declared to be highly favorable to the
administration.
The statement follows:
1T is becoming very plain that the
Republican politicians are attempt
ing to lay the foundation to the
Philippine Islands. There have re-
Gently appeared a series of inter-
views or articles exhibiting a shame
less intention in this matter. These
statements are mendacious in charac-
ter and mischievous in intent. Many
OF them proceed from sources SO in
considerable as to carry little II any
weight even II undenied, Others.
however. are fathered by men whose
name and prominence supposedly
lend weight to their utterances. 1t
is incOnceivable that even partisan
zeal would lead these men to so stul-
tify themselves.
Realizing that the honor and
good faith of this nation were in
voived in its relations to the Filipino
people, l have absolutely abstained
from any partisan comment or con-
duct with respect to this subject. I
The United States took over an enor- /
nous responsibility 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 state
ments concerning conditions. /
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
mostt worthy way Such mistakes
as have been made were only such as
are inevitable In the conduct OF hu-
man affairs. That government has
been continued in the same spirit by
the present Administration. and con-
ditions, governmentaily considered.
were never better than they are in the
Philippine Islands today.
"Next Logical STEP"
THE bill which has been pending
In the last Congress and which will
be brought before the next Congress
is exactly in line with all that has
L. An aoIa AQ