Evening star., 1900-09-20
Filipinos Depending for Victory on
Democratic Success.
REPORT OF TIE TAFT COMMISSION
Progress Made in Pacifying the
Islands.
SOME RECOMMENDATIONS

the report of the Taft Philippine commits
sion, the main features Of which were fully
covered in President McKinley's complete
review of the Philippine question In his let
ter accepting the republican presidential
nomination.
The report, which was sent by cable. fol-
lows:
MANILA, August q, 1900.
Secretary of War, Washington:
Replying to dispatch, commission reports:
1t has for two months and half made dill
gent inquiries 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 aroused by alb
surd falsehoods of unscrupulous leaders.
Distribution of troops in 800 posts has by
contact largely dispeled hostility and stead
lily improved temper of people. This inn
provement, furthered by abuses of insur-
gents aftirms that large number of people
iong for peace and are willing to accept gov
ernment under United States. Insurgents
not surrenderng after defeat have divided
into small guerrilla bands under general
officers or become ladroneS- Nearly all
prominent generals and politicians of in
surrection except Aguinaldo have since been
captured or have surrendered and have
taken oath Of allegiance.
Awaiting Result of Election.
Policy Of lenency 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 re-
suit of elections. Disturbances in parts of
.sland kept up and avowed by insurgent
proclamation and orders, to influence cleo
uon, do not show unfriendly attitude Of
majority of people of provinces where they
small
bodies in mountain Businesses, whence they
issue for usually harmless night attacks
Or murderous ambush of small American
squads, or to collect contributions or re-
cruit from people terroriZed by cutting out
tongues cutting off limbs, burying alive
murder and plunder. Difficulty of detection
enables insurgents to maintain surveillance
over people even in some garrisoned towns
Uncertainty as to future policy of United
States and defenselessnesS of people with
out arms largely prevent them aiding
Americans in suppressing outrages.
Native ConstabuIary Would Suffice.
Despite these difficulties, maintenance of
status quo makes for more peaceful con-
dltions. All northern Luzon, except i'll
Neuvaecija and Bulacan, is substantially
free from insurgents. People are busy
planting, and are asking for municipal or
ganization. Railway and telegraph lines
frCm Manila to Dagupan, 122 miles, have
not been molested for five months In ex-
cepted provinces and parts of provinces of
southern Luzon, insurrecto bands dodge
from one mountain refuge to another and
give occasional trouble.
Tagalogs, alone active in leading guer-
rilla warfare, have succeeded in recruiting
bands among the tiSayanS in Samar, Leyte
and parts of Panay, which maintain them
selves by method described. In Negros,
Cebu, Romblon Masbate, Sibuyan Tablas,
Bohol and other Visayan islands, little dis
turbance exists and civil government is
eagerly awaited
Near Cayagan. in Mindanao, an old Ia
galog penal settlement, considerable force Of
ladrones make neighboring country danger
Gus, and disturbance exists al Surigao, but
in south of this large, sparsely settled
island, at Zamboanga, Cottabatto and other
points the country is tranquil. Four years
of war and lawlessness in parts Of islands
nave created unsettled conditions, and an
unguarded American or foreigner travelling
ordinary trails far from garrisons and at
tracing cupidity, runs risk Of violence even
in pacified provinces. Native constabulary
and militia. which should be organized at
once, will end this and the terrorism to
which defenselss people subjected Ma
tives desire to enlist in these organizations.
If judicously selected and officered, will be
sufficient force for maintenance of order
and will permit early material reduction of
United States troops.
Effect of Republican Success
1t is conceded by all but men in arms, and
is implied in their proclamation, that if the
election confirms the present policy the
remnant of insurrection will disappear with
in sixty days by the surrender of the lead
ers and the fading out Of the rank and file
Ladrones. in part heritage from Spanish
rule, will continue, but can be suppressed by
measures. The existing insurrection organ
iZation Is now maintained with the great
est difficulty for the purpose stated. The
effort is to mass enough insurgents to crush
one of our small garrisons for political eff
feet, but hitherto without result. A change
of policy by turning the Islands over to
coterie of Tagalog politicians will blight
their fair prospects of enormous improve
ment, drive out capital, make life and prop
erty-secular and reigious-most insecure
Danish by fear of cruel prescription a con-
siderable body of conservative Filpinos who
have aided the Americans in a well-founded
belief that their people are not now fit for
self-goVernment, and reintroduce the same
oppression and corruption which existed in
all provinces under Malolos' insurgent gov
ernment during the eight months of it's
control
tween jealous leaders. chaos and anarchy.
and will require and justify active inter-
vention of our government or some other
Business interrupted by war is much i'm
proved as peace extends, but investment of
new capital is retarded by doubt concerning
the policy of the United States.
Effect of American Occupation.
In Negros more sugar is in cultivation
than ever before. New forestry regula-
tions give impetus to the lumber trade and
reduce the high price of lumber CuItiva-
ton of rice in some provinces is retarded by
loss Of draught cattle through disease and
war. Meat is now 10 cents a pound
Customs collections for last quarter were
30 per cent greater than ever in Spanish
history, and August collections show fur
ther increase. Total revenue for same ne
riod was one-third greater than any quar-
ter under Spain though cedula tax chief
source of Spanish revenue, has been prac-
tically abolished. Economy and efficiency of
military government have created surplus
fund Of $6.G00.OOO Mexican, which should
be expended in much-needed public works
notably Improvement of Manila harbor, the
conditions of which. with consequent delay
and expense in landing goods, is a greater
embargo on business than many nearly pro-
hibitory tariff rates inherited from Spain
and still operative.
The Great Port of the Orient.
With proper tariff and facilities Manila
will become the great port of the orient
Spanish revenue laws. throwing burden of
taxation on the poor, give the wealthy
comparative immunity. Tariff now prevents
importations from America of canned goods,