Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1900-11-11
CONDITIONS IN The
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
General McArthur's Report
to War Department.
LARGE FORCE NECESSARY

1t viii Require Well Equipped Army
to Put Down the Rebellion With the
Assistance of Large Naval Force.
Sentiment of the Native.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.-Major Gen.
eral Mac Arthur, commanders .chief OF
the United States forces III the Philip
pines and military governor of the
islands, has submitted his report to the
war department.. A considerable por-
ton of the report relates to events which
took place previous to the date when he
assumed command, and he publishes
some of the correspondence and procla-
nations of the Filipinos obtained before
that time.
He refers to the change in Aguinaldo's
plans in abandoning his army organiza-
ton and starting guerrilla warfare.
The conditions of the country have af-
forded advantages for such policy, he
says, as they have enabled the insurg-
ents to appear and disappear at their
convenience.
At one time they are soldiers and I'M
mediately afterward within the Amer1-
can lines in the attitude of peaceable ma
tives. A widely scattered formation OF
Filipinos quickly followed the guerilla
warfare. which led to a corresponding
dissemination of the American troops,
there being 58 military stations in the
archipelago Nov. l, 1899, and Alb sta
tons Sept. l, 1899. This resulted IN
large number of minor affairs, many OF
which did not assume the dignity OF
regular combat, though the casualties
between the dates stated were 260.
Americans killed, $50 wounded and 90
captured, the Filipinos losing during
the same time 8, 1927 killed 694 wounded
and 1884 captured. General Macarthur
says the extensive distribution OF troops
has strained the soldiers Of the army to
the full limit of endurance. He says
the apparent desultory work has de-
manded more of discipline and as much
of valor as was required during the Pc
riod of regular operations against con-
centrated field forces of insurrectlonlsts,
General McArthur's report says that
ships are content.
Would Accept American Supremacy.
The Filipinos, the report says, left to
themselves would gladly accept the
American supremacy. The Americans
are making as many friendly overtures
as is compatible with the conditions
The Filipinos have been maddened dur
ing the past five years by rhetorical So
phistry and stimulants applied to ma
tional pride until the powers OF public
contentment have been nearly sus-
pended. AS substitute for all other
considerations the people seem to be
aotuated 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-
quences.
This condition, he says, has raised
difficulties and other distractions in
modification. The effort to institute mu-
nicipal government in 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 III various
towns under insurgent auspices to pro-
coed simultaneously with the American
governments and often through the
same personnel Presidents and town
officials acted openly in behalf Of Amer
leans and secretly in behalf of the in
surRents and paradoxical as it may seem
with considerable apparent sollcltude
for the interest of both. The report
says success Of the guerrilla system de-
ponds upon complete unity Of action
among the native population. That
there is such unity is frankly acknowl-
4 l. ! .1crl,% akNfxT1f
eral Macarthur says he is unable to as
certain. Intimidation accounts for the
condition to some extent, but fear would
not be successful as the only motive.
A Remote Possibility.
General Macarthur quotes captured
insurgents to show that their leaders in
timidate the people. They say that the
education of the Filpinos but indicates
that this will take a great deal Of time
and patience and an adequate force.
In closing his report, General Nc
Arthur, after speaking of the establish
ment Of a republican form of govern
ment in the islands, said:
SIN the light Of existing conditions it
is difficult to realize that there is any
possibility Of such future for the
islands, especially so at the present and
for many years to come, the necessity
of large American military and naval
force is too apparent to admit of discus
sion. On the other hand, however
there are many encouraging conditions
to sustain such conclusion. For ex
ample, in the Philippines no organized
efforts are being made to effect any par
ticular scheme; the general mission ii
to kill and destroy.
"As future thought in the same di-
rection, it may be suggested that the
| Aryan races are making their way back
| into the old continent, which as con
| sequence is likely within a generation
more to become the healer of gigantic
polite activities. Up TO this the prac
| tical effect of republican institutions
has not been considered in this connec-
ton. But the rapid extension of re-
publican civilization these associations
which not only made possible but prob
able, of necessity must exert an active
and potent influence upon the affairs OF
Asia, which. under the inspiration OF
American ideas as transmitted through
Filipinos, may yet exhibit the great po-
| htrcal wonders 1t shows not broad
| conception perhaps, but it is attracting
@he attention of those hoping for better
things in the east.
Accompanying General Mac Arthur s
report are the reports OF the various
| staff officers under his command.