Willmar tribune., 1900-11-21
IN TIE PHILIPPINES.
:
Maj. Gen. Macarthur Tells Of@Opcr-
alton and Present Conditions
!: = = in the Islands. 49,

Washington, Nov 12-Mat Gen. Arthur
Macarthur, commanding the army in the
Philippines and military governor of the
islands since May s. 1900, has submitted his
report to the war department.. A consid-
cradle portion 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
proclamations of the Filipinos obtained be-
fore that time. He refers to the change in
Agutnaldo's plans in abandoning his army
organization and starting a guerrilla war;
fare. The conditions of the country have
afforded advantages for such policy, he
says. as they have enabled the insurgents
to appear and disappear at their con-
venience. At one time they are soldiers,
and Immediately after are within the Amer
lean lines in the attitude of peaceful ma
tives. A widely scattered formation of
Filipinos quickly followed the guerrilla
warfare which led to a corresponding dis
semination of American troops, there be-
ing So military stations in the archipelago
November l, 1899, and 413 stations Septem-
ber 1, 1900. This resulted in large num-
Der of minor affairs, many of which did
not assume the dignity of a regular COM
bat, though the casualties between the
dates stated were 268 Americans killed, ESQ
wounded and IS captured; the Filipino
losses during the same time being 1927
killed, 694 wounded and 1854 captured. Gen.
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 period Of
regular operations against concentrated
field forces of insurrectionists. Gen. Mac
Arthur speaks in the highest terms of the
service rendered by the troops amid all
labors and hardships.
In closing his report, Gen. Macarthur,
| after speaking of the establishment of a
republican form of government in the
islands, says:
"In the light of existing conditions it is
difficult to realize that there is any posi-
| bilfty of such a future for the islands, es-
pecially so as at present, and for many
years to come, the necessity of a large
American military and naval force is too
apparent to admit of discussion. On the
other hand, however. there are many en-
couraging conditions to sustain such a con-
viction. For example, in the Philippines
| there is no dynasty to destroy; no organ
lied system Of feudal laws to eradicate: no
principles inconsistent with republicanism
which had solidly insinuated themselves
Into the national life, to displace; no ad.
verse aspects of nature to overcome. On
| the contrary, nature, which is exuberant
balmy and generous, has nourished into ex-
| istence several millions of sensitive and
credulous people, without allegiance to any
| existing institutions, but animated by Ger.
tain inchoate ideas and aspirations, which
by some unfortunate perversion of thought
| they conceive to be threatened by America
These people, fortunately, are intelligent
| generous and flexible and probably will
yield quickly and with absolute confidence
| TO tuition and advice when thoroughly in.
! formed of American institutions and pur.
poses.
"As a future thought in the same direc-
tion, it may be suggested that the Arya,
| races are making their way back into the
old continent, which as a consequence is
| likely. within generation more, to become
the theater of gigantic political activities
! Up to this time the practical effect of re.
! publican institutions has not been con.
| sidered in this connection; but the rapid
extension of republican civilization in these
| islands, which is not only possible, but
| probable, of necessity must exert an active
and potential influence upon the affairs OF
Asia, which, under the inspiration OF
American ideas, transmitted through Fill
! pinos, may yet exhibit the greatest of po
litical wonders. A rather broad concep
tion, perhaps, but one we'll calculated to fiz
the attention of the most casual observer
and warm the fancy of the most indiffer
|