Details
TAFT, William H. Autograph statement signed ("Wm. H. Taft"), n.d. 1 page, 8vo, on War Department stationery.
TAFT ON AMERICA'S NEW IMPERIAL PATH IN THE PHILIPPINES.
"Our policy in the Philippines," he writes, "must be to hold and control the islands for the benefit of the residents of the Archipelago. This is a great national obligation the discharge of which will prove the capacity of the American people in a direction not hitherto tested." The Philippine Islands were one of the spoils wrested from Spain in 1899 (a $20 million indemnity from the U.S. to Spain eased the transfer). At the same time the U.S. also acquired Cuba, Guam, and Puerto Rico, making America an imperial, colonial power for the first time in its history. This new "direction" was a source of great controvery among Americans. Many felt a principled objection towards American rule over distant peoples, while others felt a racist repulsion towards the idea of dark-skinned Filipinos and Hispanics becoming American subjects and possibly American citizens. Proponents, such as Theodore Roosevelt, saw the enterprise as invigorating a flagging American character
Taft served as Commission and then Governor General from 1900 to 1904, and tried to make U.S. rule as benevolent and progressive as possible. He drafted a liberal constitution and legal code, built roads, hospitals, and English-language schools. He even turned down two offers from Teddy Roosevelt to take a seat on the Supreme Court so that he could see through his work in the Islands. However, Filipino nationalists, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, took up arms against the American rulers in spite of Taft's good intentions. In nearly three years of savage fighting some four thousand American servicemen died, along with nearly 34,000 Filipinos. A massive cholera epidemic at the end of the insurrection may have claimed as many 200,000 additional lives. The Philippines ultimately gained independence in 1946.
TAFT ON AMERICA'S NEW IMPERIAL PATH IN THE PHILIPPINES.
"Our policy in the Philippines," he writes, "must be to hold and control the islands for the benefit of the residents of the Archipelago. This is a great national obligation the discharge of which will prove the capacity of the American people in a direction not hitherto tested." The Philippine Islands were one of the spoils wrested from Spain in 1899 (a $20 million indemnity from the U.S. to Spain eased the transfer). At the same time the U.S. also acquired Cuba, Guam, and Puerto Rico, making America an imperial, colonial power for the first time in its history. This new "direction" was a source of great controvery among Americans. Many felt a principled objection towards American rule over distant peoples, while others felt a racist repulsion towards the idea of dark-skinned Filipinos and Hispanics becoming American subjects and possibly American citizens. Proponents, such as Theodore Roosevelt, saw the enterprise as invigorating a flagging American character
Taft served as Commission and then Governor General from 1900 to 1904, and tried to make U.S. rule as benevolent and progressive as possible. He drafted a liberal constitution and legal code, built roads, hospitals, and English-language schools. He even turned down two offers from Teddy Roosevelt to take a seat on the Supreme Court so that he could see through his work in the Islands. However, Filipino nationalists, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, took up arms against the American rulers in spite of Taft's good intentions. In nearly three years of savage fighting some four thousand American servicemen died, along with nearly 34,000 Filipinos. A massive cholera epidemic at the end of the insurrection may have claimed as many 200,000 additional lives. The Philippines ultimately gained independence in 1946.