St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-09-26
Report on Philippines.

Secretary Root cabled the Philippine
Commission for report of its opera
tons to date. Following is the War De-
partments despatch and the reply of the
commission cabled on Aug. 81:
To Philippine Commission, Manila:
The President wishes you to report by
cable the views OF commission on the
general condition of the islands as to
peace and industry; business and reve-
nue. condition prevailing; progress of
opportunity for education; disposition
OF the people toward the United States;
what improvement in this particular;
the present extent of the instruction;
how much of the archipelago is tranquil;
how much is still in disturbed state; pro-
bable continuance of guerilla warfare,
and influences operating to prolong it,
how it can best be brought to a close
conditions and requirements of civil
government. Root Secretary Of War.
The commissions reply, under date of
Aug. 81, follows: Replying to despatch,
commission reports: 1t has for two
months and a half made diligent in
ouiries into conditions prevailing. Mass
of people has aptitude for education, but
is ignorant, superstitious and credulous
in a remarkable degree. Hostility
against Americans was originally arous-
ed by absurd falsehoods of INSCRIPTIONS
leaders. Distribution Of troops in three
hundred posts has by contact largely
dispelled hostility, and steadily improved
temper of people. This improvement,
furtherd by abuses Of insurgents, affirms
that large numbers of people long for
peace, and are willing to accept govern
ment under United States. Insurgents
not surrendering after defeat have divid-
ed into small guerilla bands under gen
eral officers or become ladrones. Nearly
all prominent generals and politicians of
instruction except Aguinaldo 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
to insurgent officers still in arms of
changed policy, and stayed surrenders to
await result of elections. Disturbances
in parts OF island kept up and avowed
by insurgent proclamation and orders,
to influence election, do not show I'M
friendly attitude of majority Of people OF
provinces where they occur but only ac-
tivity of small insurgent bodies in noun
tain Businesses, whence they issue for
usually harmless night attacks or murder
Gus ambush ofsmal American squads, or
to collect contributions or recruits from
people terrorized by cutting out tongues,
cutting off limbs, buryng alive, murder
and plumber.
Difficulty Of detection enables insur-
gents to maintain surveillance over peo-
pie, even in some garrisoned towns. I'm
certainty as to future policy of United
States and defencelessness ofpeople with
out arms largely prevent them aiding
Americans in suppressing outrages. De-
spite these difficulties, maintenance of
status quo makes tor more peaceful con.
ditions. All northern Luzon. except in
Neuvaecija and Bulacan, are substantial
ly free from insurgents. People are busy
planting and are asking for municipal
organization. Railway and telegraph
lines from Manila to Dagupan, 1872 miles,
have not been molested for FIVE months.
In excepted provinces and parts of pro-
vinces Of southern Luzon, insarrecto
bands dodge from one mountain refuge
to another and give occasional trouble.
Tagalogs, alone active in leading guer-
rila warfare, have succeeded in recruit
ing bands among the Vsayans in Samar,
Leyte and parts OF Panay which main
tain themselves by method described. In
Negroes, Cebu, Romblon, Masbate, Sibu.
yam, Tablas, Bohol and other Visayan
islands, little disturbance exists and civil
government is eagerly awaited.
Near Cayagan, in Mindanao, old Ia.
galog penal settlement, a considerable
force of ladrones makes neighboring
country dangerous, and disturbance ex-
lists at Surigao, but in south Of this large
sparsely settled island at Zamboagna,
Cottafatto and other points the country
is tranquil. -Four years OF war and law
lessness in parts of the islands have
created unsettled conditions, and the un-
guarded American or foreigner travelling
ordinary trails far from garrisons and
attracting cupidty, runs risk of violence,
even in pacihed provinces. Native con
stabulary and militia, which should be
organized at once, will end this and the
terrorism to which defenceless people are
subjected. Natives desire to enlist in
these organizations. If judiciously Sc
lected and differed will be sufficient
force for maintenance of order and will
permit early material reduction of United
States troops.
1t is conceded by all but men in arms
and is implied in their proclamations,
that if election confirms present policy
the remnant of ;ucurrectiOn will 6iSaD.
pear within sixty days by surrender OF
leaders and fading out OF rank and file
Ladrones, in part heritage from Span.
lsh rule, will continue, but can be sup.
pressed. Existing insurrecto organ1za'
ton is now maintained with the great
est difficulty for the purpose stated Et
fort is to mass enough insurgents to
crush one OF our small garrisons for
political effect, but hitherto without re.
suit. Change of policy by turning is
lands over to coterie of Tagalog polit'
icians will blight their fair prospects Of
enormous improvement, drive out CAPT
tai, make life and property, secular and
religious, most insecure, Danish by Tear
OF cruel prescription considerable body
OF conservative Filipinos who have aided
Americans in the well-tounded belief that
their people are not now fit tor self
government, and re-introduce the same
oppression and corruption which existed
IN all provinces under Malolos insurgent
Government during the eight months Of
its control. The result will be factional
strife between jealous leaders, chaos and
anarchy, and will require and justify ac'
tive Intervention of our Government OF