Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-09-22

SPoAeHeAShs ~ 0dtes fOiloWlnS 1B the
hispatcf ana the reply Of the commits
bion. cabled on August Fla
- Wan Department Telegram,
August nth. 1900)
T2<he PRilibplne Commission, Manila:
TAG President wishes you to report
by cable the Views of commission on
the general condition of the islands as
to peace and industry. business and
revenue condition prevailing, progress
OF opportunity for education, disposi-
ton OF the people toward the United
States. what improvement in this par
tioularS the present extent of the insur-
rection3 how much of the archipelago is
TRANQUIL how much is still in disturbed
state, probable continuance of guerrilla
warfare. and influences operating to
prolong 1T; how 1t can best be brought
10 close, conditions and requirements
OF civil government.
ROOT, Secretary Of War.
THE REPORT.
Manila, August 81, 1900.
Secretary of War. Washington:
Replying to dispatch, commission re-
ports: 1t has for two months and a.
half made diligent inquiries into con-
ditions prevailing. Mass of people has
aptitude for education, but is ignorant,
superstitious and oredulous In a re-
Americans was originally AROUSED by
absurd falsehoods of interruptions
leaders. Distribution of troops in 400
posts has by contact largely dispelled
hostility and steadily improved temper
OF people. This Improvement, further
by abuses of insurgents, afflrms that
large number of people long for peace
and are willing to accept government
under United States. Insurgents not
guaranteeing after defeat have divided
into small guerrilla bands under general
officers or become Ladrones. Nearly
all prominent generals and politicians
of insurrection except Aguinaldo have
since been captured or have surrender
ed. and have taken oath of allegiance
Policy of leniency eliminating in am
nesty had marked effect to induce sur
renders until defining of political is
sues In United States reported here in
full gave hope of insurgent officers still
In arms, OF changed policy and stayed
surrenders to await result Of elections
Disturbances in parts of the island,
Kept up and avowed by insurgent proc
lamation and orders. to influence the
eie9tion. do not show unfriendly atti-
tude OF q majority of the people Of the
provinces where they occur, but only
activity of small insurgent bodies in
mountain Businesses whence they issue
for usually harmless night attacks, or
murderous ambush of small American
squads, or to collect contributions or
recruit from people terrorized by cut
ting out tongues, cutting off limbs,
burying alive. murder and plumber.
Difficulty of detection enables the In
surgents to maintain surveillance over
people even In garrisoned towns. I'm
certainty as TO future policy of the Uni
ted States and defenselessness of peo-
pie without arms largely prevent them
aiding Americans in suppressing out
RACES. Despite these difficulties. main
peaceful conditions. All northern Lu
zon, except in Neuvaecija and Bulacan,
are substantially free from insurgents.
People are busy planting and are ask
ing for municipal organization. Rail-
way and telegraph lines from Manila
to Dagupan, 1872 miles, have net been
molested for five months. In except
ed PROVINCES and parts OF provinces OF
southern Luzon. insurrecto bands
dodge from one mountain refuge TO an
other and give occasional trouble. IA
Eaiogs alone active in leading guerrilla
warfare, and have succeeded In re-
cruiting bands among the Visayans,
which maintain themselves by method
described. In Negroes. Cebu, Romblon,
Masbate, Sibuyan, Tablas, Bohol and
others.
Visayan Islands, little disturbance
exists and civil government is eagerly
awaited. Near Cayagan, in Mindinao.
old Tagalog penal settlement. consider
able force of Ladrones makes neighbor
ing country dangerous and disturb
ances exists at Surigao. but in south of
this large, sparsely settled island, at
Zamvoanga, Cottabatto and other
points, the country Is tranquil. -Four
years of war and lawlessness in parts
of islands have created unsettled con-
ditlons. and unguarded American or
foreigner. travelling ordinary trails far
from garrisons and attracting 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 defenseless people are subjected
Natives desire to enlist in these organi-
cations. If judiciously selected and
ofllcered will be sufficient force for
maintenance of order, and will permit
early material reduction OF United
States troops. 1t is conceded by all but
men in arms and Is implied in their
proclamation, that II election confirms
present policy remnant of instruction
will disappear within sixty days by
surrender of leaders and fading out OF
ranks and file. Ladrones. in part a
heritage from Spanish rule, will con-
tinue. but can be suppressed by meas
ures. Existing instruction organiza-
ton now maintained with greatest
difficulty for purpose stated. Effort is
to mass enough insurgents to crush one
of our small garrisons for political
effect. but hitherto without result.
Change of policy by turning islands
over to a ooterie of Tagalog politicians
will blight their fair prospects of enor-
nous improvement, drive out capital,
make life and property, secular and re-
ligious. most insecure, Danish by fear OF
cruel prescription considerable body OF
conservative Filipinos, who have aided
Americans in we'll founded belief that
their people are not now fit for self
government. and reintroduce the same
oppression and corruption which exist