The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-05-24
SCHWAN' s REPORT
Review of Conditions In the
Philippine Islands.
The General Says American
Rule Is Welcomed.
Allthe Best Classes Want Peace.
Trouble Mainly Confined to
Bandits and Cuerrillas.

WASHINGTON, May 23.-The war
department has received an interesting
report from Brigadier General Theodore
Schwan, Z. s. w. dated on the transport
Thomas at sea, May IL, in which he sub
mits a thorough review of the state of
affairs in the Philippines up to the time
Of his departure from Manila on April
16, making particular reference to what
he believes to be the irretrievable collapse
Of the Filipino insurrection as a whole.
and expressing the conviction that if left
alone the Filipinos would soon demon
strate their absolute inability to govern
themselves
1.-THE principal islands," he says, "are
now, as never before, held with an iron
grip by the military. In Luzon all the
interior, as well as all the coast towns Of
Importance, are occupied by American
troops"
General Schwan states that the sole
hope entertained by the insurgents for
the revival of the insurrection lies in the
suppositon that the United States troops
will be obliged to abandon many of their
presen, positions Mt the opening of the
wet season, owing to inability to secure
supplies during that period
With the exception of the savage
mountain tribes and the numerous bands
of brigands, says the report, the greater
majority of both the educated and peas
ant classes in the Philippines heartily de-
sires restoration Of peace and order un-
Ter American rule.
y ROBBERS AND BRIGANDS.
The many bands of robbers and bri-
gands form Il disjointed nucleus for a
prospective RECOMMENDATION of insurgent
forces and the renewed prosecution of
he rebellion, says General Schwan. Con-
tinuing, the report says:
"lndced, these guerrilla bands and their
depredations constitute all that is implied
by the philippine insurrection' as it now
exists, the leaders, military and political,
Of this 'forlorn hope realizing that should
they allow the insurgent movement to die
its natural death and American rule to be
firmly established they would have to
abandon forever their present positions
Of influence and be relegated to their
former obscurity in private station.
"The operations of troops and the paci-
ication of the towns not yet subdued
will be carried on regardless of the rainy
season. which, as stated above, the in
surgents believe will cause an abandon
menl OF many important towns Dy our
.roops. Abundant supplies have been
accumulated at the various posts in an
,icipation of this exigency and the roads
placed in such state of repair as to
prevent the heavy rains from destroying
heir usefulness in forwarding the same. ~
In concluding his report General
Schwan says:
"The most serious obstacle in the way
# complete pacifcation of the islands
now lies in the mutual distrust between
he troops and the inhabitants. This, |
,eleve will disappear after each class
Decomes more thoroughly acquainted
With the other and the benefits to be de-
ived from an intimate relationship with
he military become appreciated by the
natives. On the other hand, the work
ut out for the troops will be greatly
facilitated when they gain the confidence
# the well disposed natives. When the
after find that the troops have come to
tay, they undoubtedly will resist the
'xactions of the robber bands, turn about
md assist the American troops in ferret
ng out their haunts and plans, and the
lays of this guerrilla rebellion will be
numbered"