The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-05-23

paign in the United States. Their ability
TO hold the guerrilla bands together, and
10 retain moral control over a considerable
proportion OF the common people. Is due
largely 10 the astounding ignorance and
credulity Of the latter. AS an illustration
of this it may be mentioned that within the
past two months a brigand chief in Taya-
bas province who signed himself general
OF division, did not hesitate to give out
that the Filipino Government was still at
Tarlac; that two German men-of-war had
recently made a descent upon Laquimanoc,
port on the south coast OF Tayabas, CON-
polling the American troops there 10 re-
treat into the mountains: that Manila was
fun of German and Japanese soldiers,
awaiting an opportunity TO throw of their
disguise and make common cause with the
Filipino insurrectos against their Ameri-
can oppressors.
Cannot Recover From Collapse
My conviction that the instruction can
not recover from the collapse it has SUI
fered is founded on the following consid-
Grafton:
The pricipal islands are now, as never
before, held with an iron grip by the
military. AS has already been pointed out,
in Luzon, whence any rebellion must al
ways derive its lifebloOd all interior as
well as coast towns are occupied by Unit
ed States troops, whose scouting parties
penetrate into the most secluded recesses
within their jurisdictions, which latter
are clearly defined. These garrisons are
generally commanded by comparatively
young and remarkably energetic and zeal
GUS majors. holding lesser rank in the
regulars. who are leaving nothing undone
to perform with thoroughness the specified
task set them That task includes the
suppression of the guerrilla bands, the
nd afz Of nd
ington rifles (of which some 10000 are
supposed TO be still in caches or in the
hands of the guerrillas), the opening OF
schools and the establishment Of munich
pal governments on lines which, while
safeguarding individual property rights
and American sovereignty, place the mar
agement of local affairs under the control
OF the tOwnspeOple, who will thus enjoy
a degree Of independence never dreamed
of hitherto. The operations of the troops
and the pacifcation OF the towns and of
the barriCs embraced in their jurisdictions
will 20 on regardless Of the wet season,
in anticipation of which supplies to last
while il prevails have been accumulated at
the various posts, the roads connecting
which, with their respective bases, have.
moreover. been placed in such a state of
repair that heavy rains will not prevent
their use. The most serious obstacle in
the way of paciication lies in the lack of
faith the soldiers have in the inhabitants
and the inhabitants in the soldiers. This
distrust is certain TO pass away when each
class becomes acquainted with the customs
the aims. and the standards Of the other.
Prolonged contact Of the troops with the
people must OF necessity be reciprocally
advantageous The people will be bene-
ficiaries in many ways-pecuniarily, by the
disbursements the United States makes 10
2 he nd for tor afn
cationally, by the schools which are now
starting up all over the Islands. and In
which English will soon become the Ian
guage in which instruction is conveyed;
politically. by the reconstruction of civil
government on a basis requiring the eX
penditure of local tax levies for local pur-
poses in a manner determinable by the tax
payers. On the other hand. the work of the
troops viii be facilitated. and their con-
! ditiOn improved. as they gain the conf
dence of the wcll-diSposed natives. These
when they find the troops have come 10
stay. Will resist the exactions OF the in
I surrectos." a term now become synonym
OF guerrillas or bandits. whose haunts and
plans they will assist the military in fer
reting out,
/ Days of GuerriIlas Numbered.
When a state of mutual understanding
and confidence shall be established, the
days Of the guerrillas will be numbered.
Commanding officers will vie with ca b
other in bringing about peace and go-d
order, contentment and prosperity in the
communities confided to their charge.
Should the hostile bands Of contiguous
| townships concentrate, so will the troops
| of those townships concentrate under their
/ regimental or district commanders; bat
/ taliOns of a regiment being. as a rule. 50
/ grouped as to be under the control Of its
| colonel.
AT the present time troops are kept
/ constantly at work securing the country for
l guerrillas. simultaneously. in fact, in
! connection with these excursions, the coun-
| try is being mapped by officers designated
/ for the purpose. who are also required to
take note Of and report on its resources.
( products. and needs in the way CT pub c
! Improvements.
In minor matters there viii. Of course
/ be set-backs, friction, and disapIoint
ments These are unavoidable. but they
/ will hardly be Of a character to seriously
/ impede the accomplishment of the object
aimed at, the pacihcation Of the country
/ under American sovereignty Much dis
/ erection must be allowed our colonels and
majors or local commanders; their in
! structions are and should continue to be
full and explicit, but they ought TO he
/ rarely interfered with in the choice Of
I means for giving them effect
| The above remarks you may regard as
| optimistic in the Eight of communications
| that doubtless reach you or the DeGprt-
/ ment from Manila, picturing the outlook
/ in the Philippine Islands as gloomy and
J discouraging- But they are deduced. not
/ only from the comprehensive view OF the
| situation l had at headquarters. but also
! from personal and close observations in
/ four provinces in which the insurrection
! took its origin. and whose inhabitants.
| above the average in point of intelligence
and thrift have been consistently hostile
| both 10 Spanish and American rule
"On the whole. l have reached the con-
clusion that if left TO themselves the Fill
pinos would soon demonstrate their utter
| unhtness for self-goveTnmeRt. and that
| their interests. as well as the interests Of
the people with whom they come in con-