New-York tribune., 1900-09-20
THE COMMISSIONS REPORT.
Manila, August y, 1900.
r. n TE-ar In

Manila, August u, 1900.
Secretary Of War, Washington
Replying 10 dispatch Commission reports: 1t
mas Tor two months and half made diligent in
qulrles into conditions prevailing. Mass of peo-
Pie has aptitude for education, but is ignorant
superstidous and credUIous in a remarkable de-
gree. Hostility against Americans was originally
aroused by absurd falsehOofs Of unscrupulous
leaders Distribution Of troops in three hundred
posts has by contract largely dispeIled hostility
ana steadlIy improved temper of people. This
Improvement, IurLhered by abuses OF insurgents.
attiTms that large number of people long for
peace and are willing TO accept government
under United States. Insurgents not surrender
ing after defeat have divided into small que
rlla bands under general officers or become la
dTones. Nearly all prominent generals and poll
ucians Of lnsurrection except AguinaIdo have
since been captured or have surrendered and
have taken oath OF allegiance.
Policy of leniency eliminating in amnesty had
marked effect to induce surrenders until defining
OF political issues in United States reported here
in full, gave hope 20 insurgenu officers still in
arms OF changed policy and stayed surrenders
10 await result OF elections Disturbances in
parts Of island, kept up and avowed by insur-
gent proclamation and orders to influence
election, do not show Unfrendly attitude of ma
Jority OF people Of provinces where they occur.
but only activity Of small insurgent bodies in
mountain fastnesses whence thew issua for
usually harmless night attacks or nurderous
ambush Of small American squads or to collect
contributions or recruit from people terrOrized
by cutting out tongues. cutting on limbs bury
ing alive, murder and plunder. Difficulty Of de-
Iahce over people even IN some garTlsoued
towns. Uncertainty to future policy OF United
States and defencelessness Of people without
arms largely prevent them aiding Americans in
suppressing outrages.
ISLANDS BECOMING PEACEFUL
Despite these difficulties. maintenance of status
quo makes for more peaceful conditions All
Northern Luzon. except in Nueva Ecija and
Bulacan, is substantially free from Insurgents
People busy planting and are asking for
municipal organization. Railway and telegraph
lines from Manila to Dagupan. 122 miles have
not been moIesred for fve months In evCantad
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zon insurrectionary bands dodge from one noun
tain refuge 10 another and give occasional
trouble. TaSalogs, alone active in leading que
rllla warfare have succeeded in recruiting bands
among the Vsayans in Samar L.evta and parts
Of Pauay, which maintain themselves by method
described In Nesros, Cebu, Romblon. Mas
bate, Sibuyan. Tablas BohoI and other Visayau
islands little disturbance exists and civil govern
ment is eagerly awaited Near Cagayan in
MindanaO. old Tagalog penal settlement consid-
erahle force OF ladrOnes makes neighbOring
country dangerous and disturbance exists ar
Surigao, but in south of this large sparsely set
tied island, at ZambOanga, Cottabatto and other
points, the country is tranquil.
Four years OF war and lawIessness N parts
Of the Islands have created unsettled conditions,
ard unguarded American or foreigner travelling
ordinary trails far from garrisons and attract
ing cuPldlty runs rlSh or violence even in paci-
fed provinces. Native COnstabulary and militia
which should be organized at once. viii end
this and the terrorism TO which deferceIess peo-
pie are subjected. Natives desire TO enlist in
these organizations. IF ludiCiOusIy selected and
differed viii be efficient forces for rraintenanCe
tion Of United States troops.
It IS conceded by all but men in arms and is
implied in their proclamation. that # election
confirms present policy remnant Of iusurrectiOn
will disappear within sixty days by surrender
Of leaders and fading out Of rank and file. La
drones in part heritage from Spanish rule
will continue. but can be suppressed by meas
ures Existing insurrectionary organization now
maintained with greatest difficulty for purpose
stated Effort is 10 mass enough insurgents TO
crush one OF our small earrisons for political
effect but hitherto without result
DANGERS FROM CHANGE OF POLICY
Change Of policy by turning islands over To
Coterie of Tagalog politicians VIII blight their
fair prospects Of enormous Improvement drive
out capital make life and property-secular
and relig0us-most insecure, banish by fear OF
cruel prescription a considerable body OF con-
servative Fiilpinos who have aided Americans in
well founded belief that their people are not
now hit for seIf-government, and retntroduCe the
same oppression and corruption which existed
in all provinces under Maloios tnsurgent govern
ment during the eight months Of its control
The result viii be factiOnal strife between teal-
GUS leaders chaos and anarchy. and viii require
and Justify active Intervention OF our Govern
ment or some other
business interrupted by war IS much improved
as peace extends. but investment OF new cap
ital is retarded by doubt concerning the policy
of the United States In Negros more sugar is
I'm cultivation than ever before, New forestry
regulations give impetus 70 timber trade and
reduce high price OF lumber. Cultivation OF rice
ia some provinces Is retarded by loss Of draught
cattle through disease and war Meat is 10
cents q pound Customs collections for last
Quarter were 80 per cent greater than IN
SDsuish history. and August collections show
further increase Total revenue for same period
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