New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-15
"OUTLAWs SWARMING IN LUZON.'

We are told that numerous bands OF outlaws
are infesting the island of Luzon and we are
not Mt all inclined to doubt it. Such was the
case for centuries under Spanish rule. There
has been no occurrence of late to transform the
character of the island or Of It's people. More
over, there have been occurrences calculaleu
TO increase outlawry. A state of war, or
of attempted war, almost Invariably does
20. 1t gives opportunity for the criminal,
idle and turbulent elements Of society to
come to the fore. Our own Civil War, a
generation ago. gave opportunity for the Grim
ipal classes OF New-York to indulge In some
DAYS of looting, arson and murder 1t also
started the James gang of train robbers and
similar lawless bodies on their violent careers
in the Border States. So the discomfort WIN
Snanlsh rule in Luzon, the attempted native IN
surrection against 1t, and the American con-
quest of the island gave opportunity TOT Hi
who would rather steal than work 10 lhuuise
their vicious propensities. OF course, they 90
so under the pretence of patriotism. IL VIII
no remembered that the rufiians and thieves
who robbed houses and plundered Jewelry shops
i'm this city in 1863 did so under the pretence
of protesting against the Conscrlptlon act, ana
their deeds of villany are to this day called the
Draft Riots" The one pretence is about as
truthful as the other was.
1t is to be noted that the troublers OF Ltzon
are called simply outlaws" That is exactly
correct. In their manners and practices they
have never been anything else Even IN the
most halcyon days of his court with gold
Timed and silken tasselled walking sticks, Agui-
naldo practised assassination and robbery at
will. His treasury was filed by forced con-
tributIons and confscation and his policy was
enforced by the systematic removal or all
who ventured TO differ from 1t. But to-day the
case is still more fragrant The court Is dis
solved. The walking sticks have been thrown
away as impediments TO sprinting. There Is
no longer even a form or pretence or or
canized government. There is, by confession
and by direction of Aguinaldo himself, nothing
but sporadic and fugitive outlawry. AS such,
and as such alone, 1t Is to be regarded. Is 10 De
dealt with and Is to be suppressed.
But if it is only that, say some, why is It not
suppressed at once? The history Of crime tells
why. BFlgandage is harder to suppress than
organized rebellion. 1t took longer to get rid
of Jesse James and his gang of thugs and
thieves than II did TO get rid Of Robert r. Lee
and his Army Of Northern Virginia So 1t Is
taking longer 10 suppress the Drlgahu eahss III
Iuzon than IL did to destroy the Spanish fleet
and force the surrender of the Spanish army
But it was not proposed just because the James
gang was still at work, TO abandon the State
Government of Missouri or to cease developing
the industries and the commerce Of that State
Neither because AguinaldO is still at large and
running, will there be any thought of relin-
ouishing the lawful authority of the United
states in Luzon nor any cessation Of the bcnef-
lcent work of developing the industries and
commerce of that island and of all the Philip
mines and Of giving TO them the good gifts OF
froo government and an advanced civilization.