The evening times., 1900-06-11
The Truth About the Phiiipptnes.

The Truth About the 1fIpptues.
The Administration is spendirg the pub
lie money to provide q military triumph
for Otis at Rochester, on the Dretence that
he has done something worthy OF promo
tion and honor. The official view of Otis
is that he has suppressed the Tagal in
surrection and established a regime of
peace. good order, and honest government
IN the Philippines. The public view is a
very different one, and it appears TO be
justified by dispatches from Manila today
which represent that Judge Taft and his
colleagues of the Civil Commission are
simply appalled, at the conditions of
smuggling, bribery. corruption. embezzle-
ment. and general rascality and loot that
confront them
The news, indeed, is serious. but it Is
of kind the American people have been
expecting for some time. The Commission
ers admit that army officers tell them the
rebellion. which is as vigorous as ever,
cannot be put down with the present mil
itary force and facilities in the archipeI-
ago. and it is evident that Otis has commit
ed mistakes in the reports and state
ments he has made from time to time in
regard to the situation. For that, he may
not be TO blame. He may probably have
reported exactly what he was ordered to
from Washington Magoon may not be the
only servant of the Administration who
prepares opinions" Of any kind at an
hours notice.
tt is possible that a recIuse like Otis.
who directed operations in the field by
telegraph and telephone, without knowl-
edge of conditions at the front. may have
secluded himself sufficiently TO BE ignorant
Of all that was going on at tie custom
houses and other places likely to furnish
food for administrative Investigation.
However that may be, Judge Taft is re-
ported as overcome with astOnishment at
what he finds.
All the Commissioners appear to be
amazed at the complication created by the
attitude Of Monsignor ChapeIe. joint Apos-
tOiic Commissioner Of the Papacy and Ad-
milistration. who was sent out to settle
the trouble between the FiIipinos and the
fTiars.. Press dispatches state that Monsig-
nor ChappeIe insists that the friars shall
be restored 10 the privileges, immunities,
property. and power they enjoyed IN
der the Spanish rule, and which led to the
last rebellion against Spain. and, as al
legged. all former ones for century AS
the pacihcation Of the country can hardly
be accomplished while the common people
demand the removal of the friars. the re-
turn of property held by them, under more
or less questionable grants from Spanish
6.QVnrnnrz -heff ,F
parish priests. the task before the author
ities in the Philippines does not look to be
an easy one.
The religious element in the difficulty is
NOT necessarily a reflection on Monsignor
Chapelie- The impression is widespread
that before he started from Washington for
Manila an understanding was reached be-
tween the Administration and the Vatican
that the Philippine religious orders were to
be placed upon the same footing they held
before the Treaty of Paris, and that if such
a guarantee should be found in conflict
with the American Constitution or laws the
latter would not become operative for
long period, during which it would be pos
si5ie to place real property, at least, in
condition Of safety. Very possibly such
deal was the best for all concerned that
could be made; but it is seen to involve
a prolongation Of resistance, and possibly.
therefore, should be considered as open to
some revision. We are glad that the Civil
Commission is composed of men who are
not afraid to speak of what they see. That
being the fact, there is a chance that the
country may learn the truth concerning
reconstruction days" in the Philippines
tn a way TO make its hair stand on end.