The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-11
THE CAMPAIGN III LUZON
General MacArthur's Report 10 the
War Department.
Changes Mnde necessary fin the Dis
position of Troops by Continued
Great Military Force i'm the Islands
viii BE Needed for Years to Come.


ernor of the Philippines. has submitted his
report to the War Department. 1; shows
that the continued activity of the insur-
gents has led to radical changes in the
disposition of the American army in the
archipelago. There were only fifty-three
military stations in the islands on Novem-
Der /. 1899, while there were 4i3 posts on
September /, 1900. Many small engage
ments occurred during that period of ten
months. The American casualties in battle
were 26S killed, $50 wounded, and 90 cap
tured. General Macarthur places the
losses Of the insurgents at 3,227 killed, 69i
wounded. and 1854 captured. These nu-
merous engagements. he adds, have taxed
the endurance of the American troops to
the utmost.
THE Filipinos," says General MacAr-
thur, ARE not warlike or ferocious peo-
pie. Left to themselves large number of
them would gladly accept American SUI
premacy. which they are gradually coming
TO understand means individual liberty
and absolute security in their lives and
property. They have been, however, dur
ing the past FIVE years. maddcned by rhet-
ofical sophistry and stimulants applied to
national pride until power of discrimi-
mating in matters of public concern or
private interest has been almost entirely
suspended. As substitute for all other
considerations the people seem to be ac-
tuated by the idea that in all doubtful
matters of politics or war men are never
nearer right than when going with their
own kith and kin, regardless of conse-
Quen6es.'
This condition, he says, has raised diff
culties and distractions in pacification
The effort to institute municipal govern
ment under American auspices carried the
idea of exclusive fidelity to the United
States, but this met with difficulties where
Filipinos were placed entirely in control
and secret municipal governments were
organized in various towns under insur-
gent auspices to proceed simultaneously
with the American governments and often
through the same personnel. Presidentes
and town officials acted openly in behalf
OF the Americans and secretly in behalf of
the insurgents. land paradoxical as it may
seem. with considerable apparent solicit
tude for the interests of both"
He says the success of the guerrilla sys-
tenn depends upon complete unity of action
among tire native population, and
such unity is frankly acknowledged,
but how ii is brought about he is un-
able to ascertain. Intimidation has done
something. but fear alone would not be
successful. He says that this applies to
the entire archipelago. excepting that por-
tion of Mindanao occupied by Moros, and
the Jolo group. The Moros seem entirely
satisfied with present conditions.
General Macarthur gives captured CORE
spondence to show the efforts of the insur-
gent leaders to intimidate and control the
people He declares that the guerrilla bands
could not exist except for the support they
receive from the towns He says that the
education of the Filipinos will tend to Sc
cure their submission.
1T is great pleasure to report" says
General Macarthur that all indications
point directly to such a consummation, In
which light it would seem that the inter-
ests of all concerned would be best SUBJ
served by maintaining the present status
and waiting for the silent but irresistible
operation of time, which reduced to
working formula means amiability, patience.
and an adequate force"
He says that as the Spanish colonial adj
ninistration has been swept away, re-
publican machine must be established to
take its place.
In closing his report, General Macarthur
says:
cising sovereignty in the East has been.
wherever possible. to govern and speak
through the mouth of some organized ma
tive Government or hereditary ruler, a
method whereby perplexing problems have
been easily solved by merely letting things
alone and allowing the old machine to run.
subject to such observation and control
only as was necessary for-,he material in
terests of the suzerain power. In the Phil
ippines. however. the Spanish colonial ad-
ministration has been swept ayay and
must be subs tituted by something entirely
new. That is to say, a republican machine
must be created, as well as fabricated,
managed, and repaired as necessary; mani
testify a much more difficult task than
starting an old machine, on substantially
old lines and to all intents and purposes let
ting it run itself Being new construction
of an original character. the inherent diff
ficulties are generally increased and en-
phasized by the fact that no nation can
serve US as an example, for none has en-
countered a problem of precisely the same
kind
Under the very best results heretofore
accomplished. by process of modern in
genuity in rehabiltating the old machines
OF the East, il is doubtful IL there is one
Oriental establishment created by Western
power that could survive five years IL the
paramount energy should be withdrawn
In other words. the cohesive element In
all instances arises exclusively from the
constant application of external force
From the present posture of affairs it
is inevitable that the expression of Ameri-
can power in the Philippines must result
IN planting republican institutions
throughout the archipelago, accompanied
by all the safeguards OF personal, politi-
cal, and religious liberty, which alone are
possible under the auspices of the Con-
stitution OF the United States. From this
premise the conclusion is unavoidable
that in ultimate form the archipelago win
sooner or later assume the appearance of
one or more self-supporting common
wealths with population attached TO
their institutions, and capable of main
tanning the same, even in the improbable
event OF the withdrawal of the creative
power.
In the light of existing conditions i. Is
dinicult to realize that there is any possi-
bility OF such future for the islands. es-
pecially so as at present and for many
years to come. the necessity Of large
American military and naval force is too
apparent to admit of discussion. On the
other hand, however there are many en-
couraging conditions to sustain such a con-
yiction. For example, in the Philippines
there is no dynasty to destroy; no organ
lied system Of feudal laws to eradicate: no
principles inconsistent with republicanism
which have solidly insinuated themselves
into the national life to displace; no ad-
verse aspects of nature TO overcome. On
The contrary, nature, which is exuberant,
balny, and generous, has nourished into
existence several millions of sensitive and
credulous people, without allegiance to any
existing institutions. but animated by Ger
tain inchoate ideas and aspirations which.