The Monte Vista journal., 1898-10-29
PHILIPPINES NEEDS.
THERE OUGHT TO BE REFORMS.
Asss H Reduced a.A baadits Aass Ne
Fus Down.

Professor Dean G. Worcester Of the
University Of Michigan, who wrote an
article for the September Century on
1.-The Malay Pirates Of the Philip
with them, contributes to the October
Century an article ON "Knotty Prob
lems Of the Philippines" Professor
Worcester says:
Reforms should be begun at once,
and one Of the first should be ma
terial reduction in the extortionate
taxes which have In the past been
levied on the long-suffering inhabi-
tants. Such a measure would he GER
tain to produce favorable impression,
and would go far toward giving the
natives confidence in the new adminis-
tration.
In order to strengthen this conf
dence. part of the funds raised by
taxation should be expended In local
Improvements, such as the building OF
roads and the establishment OF schools.
Another much-needed reform would
be the provision of a simple but COM
prehenslve and effective code Of laws
The name Of the existing codes is le-
gion, and law suit under any one of
them IL the worst misfortune that eau
befall q man. A precedent can be
found for anything: bribery Is univer-
sal, and Justice virtually unknown. Let
tho native once ind out that he has
rights before the law. and he will be-
gin to regard the law with some re-
spect.
As rule the civilized natives are
orderly, and the most serious problem
which the representatives Of law and
order would have to face would be the
suppression Of briRandage. There have
always existed. in the northern islands.
bands Of tullsanes, or professional
bandits. Sometimes they establish per.
manent headquarters In inaccessible
places, and again they live scattered
among the honest villages. assembling
only when they have some deviltry on
hand. Their ranks are recruited In part
from the criminal classes. in part by
the addition of men who have been
driven by bitter wrongs to turn against
the existing order OF things. They are
often led by men supposed to be pos
sessed OF nnting nnting. or charms
which make them bullet proof and
give them various other miraculous
properties. These tulisanes descend on
defenseless people, and plunder, kill.
and carry on prisoners to be held for
ransom. As rule they are desperate
towards, but some OF their operations
occasionally show daring. During my
stay they kidnapped priest in the very
streets Of Manila.
In the past. when the guardla civil
has succeeded In hunting them down,
they have usually been acquitted, or,
II convicted. have soon managed to ef-
rect mysterious escape. while the
presiding alcaldeS have suddenly be-
come wealthy.
At the close Of the present war these
bands OF tulisnner will doubtless be
augmented by the rIfYraR OF the insur.
gent forces. They have been 30 long
accustomed to having their own way
that they will be overbold. A vigorous
policy In dealing with them would have
very wholesome effect. In operations
against them, and no far ax possible In
~ operations In the archipelago. ma
tive troops should be used. When well
drilled and well led they make excel.
lent soldiers. A convenient way to dis
pose Of q part Of the insurgent forces
would be to retain them In service un-
der white o@icers. II 10 perhaps worth
while to note. In this connection, that
IN recent operations about Manila,- ma
i've troops have. In nt least one In.
xinnce. remained true when Spanish
soldiers Wutinied.
The widespread ignorance which
prevails In the Philippines is one Of
the most Important problems demand.
ing solution. Many Of the natives nre
quick TO learn. and are anxious for
the opportunity. NO that their education
reduces itself 10 question Of ways
and means. 4 school system IL pro.
vidcd for by the Spanish law. but fav.
oriflsm prevails In the choice Of teach.
ers, who are often grossly incompetent.
while the practical working Of the
schools II frequently inierfered with
by the friars. A few prayers AMI u
little writing aud arithmetic comprise
the course Of instruction In many Of
the schools.