New-York tribune., 1900-12-04
YEARS WORK OF THE ARMY
WHAT IT HAS DONE ABROAD AND AT
HOME.
CHINESE AND PHILIPPINE CAMPAIGNS RE
VIEWED BY SECRETARY Roor-ACHIEVE-
MENrs IN CUBA AND PORTO RICO.

MENTs IN CUBA AND PORTO RICO.
washington. Dec S.-The annual report Of secre-
,srv Root is Of more than usual interest owing TO
,,s wide scope and The fact that II treats OF sub
,ects Of such importance the Philippine insurrec-
ZION the Chinese campaign, the developments in
-uba and Porto Rico. and finally with the subject
~ Army reorganization. Some idea OF what the
army has been doing in the field and at home is
conveyed by the Secretary's statement that its
operat0us included the prosecution Of the war for
the suppression ef the Philippine insurrecton ana
the establishment OF government in those ISLANDS,
the rescue Of the foreign Ministers in Peking, the
relief OF Alaska and the construction OF
roads and teegraphs there. the conduct Of the gov
eminent OF Porto Rico until May last the conduct
Of the government OF Cuba prosecution OF river and
harbor works the construction OF seacoast FORTH
cations. the garrisoning and maintaining Of mil
itarv posts and fortifcations. the discharge OF
about ons-third OF the Army and the re-enlistment
OF soldiers take their place. and the distribution
OF supplies 70 the scattered forces.
The chapter of the report treating Of military
operations in the Philippines is a recital Of the
features OF the campaign in the last year. 1t is
said that the purpose was TO pursue the small
bands OF Fiipinos scattered throughout the islands
The effort WAS successful and resulted in the fur
rber and practically complete disintegration OF the
insurrectionary bands in the rescue OF nearly all
the American and Spanish prisoners; in the capture
of many of the leading insurgents and the de-
struction OF large quantities OF arms and supplies
Secretary Root says that with the execution OF
the military plans there all formal and open resist
snce 10 American authority in the Philippines ter
minated leaving only an exceedingly VeNatous and
annoying guerilla warfare, of character closely
approaching brigandage, which will require time,
patience and good judgment 10 finally suppress
The Secretary further says that over four hundred
different posts required IN the Philippines De-
cause the Tagalos who are in rebellion. have de-
liberately adopted the policy OF numbering, SO far
as they are able, al their countrymen who are
friendly 10 the United States. lie thinks that the
most efficient measures for the reduction OF the
number OF posts and OF troops in the Philippines
win be the construction OF roads. making possible
rapid communication: the establishment Of personal
relations between the American officers and the
people: the gradually growing appreciation OF
American control and good intentions following
good civil government and finally the organization
OF native troops under American officers.
THE CAMPAIGN IN CHINA
The campaign Of the United States troops IN
China is treated al some length. The Secretary
reviews in detail the rapid and effective steps by
which the American forces were transferred IN
great emergency from the Philippines and from
this country 20 Taku. and how they forced their
way to Picking. He includes all the interesting
dispatches that passed between General Charee
and the Department. and speaks in terms OF praise
Of the splendid conduct Of the troops and their
able ofacers In the end. he says II Is gratifying
70 know that the Chinese have returned IN great
numbers and there has beer general resumption
OF business. under the protection Of American
oNN--t
signed 10 their care. and which Is stin under the
charge OF the Legation guard.
The progress achieved in the erection Of civil
government IN the Philippines Is made the subject
OF a special chapter. Beginning with the chaos
LEFT by the withdrawal Of the Spanish authorities,
Secretary Root shows how tbs principles OF civil
government by easy steps were put In operation
The substantive body of Spanish law excel
lent and adequate II Il could be applied. The first
step the organization OF courts. beginning with
the Supreme Court. headed by Chief Justice Arel-
lanO and ave % the ablest lawyers OF the island
The Spanish criminal procedure was reformed. and
for the first time there real protection TO the
personal rights OF persons charged with crime IN
the Philippines. The next step was the establish
nent OF municipal governments. placing the entire
control OF ordinary affairs IN the municipal au-
fhorities. Then the marriage law was modified 10
legalze civf marriage, the United States patent
and trademark laws were adopted, the coasting
trade regulated, burdensome Spanish taxes
were abolished, the schools were extended and i'm
proved. q quarantine law was put IN torce. the
ana insuiar revenues were greatly In
creased. and rigid high license and early closing
laws we're imposed on the saloons in Manila
ESTABLISHING CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
The second Philippine Commission headed BY
Judge Taft Is continuing the good work. and, fol-
lowing the ordinary course Of legislative proceed
ure. Il holes open sessions takes testimony ano
receives suggestions from citizens. 1t has appro-
prGted money for the construction OF roads and
bridges, for the survey of a railroad and Tor tne
payment OF 9 superintendent OF pablic instruction
The tarsn law has been revised by special Board
and Manila Harbor is be improved. The recaipts
from customs for the last hAn Of the fiscal year
show increase OF sl.7s5.4s6. but this Will not be
enough 20 prosecute internal Improvements and
establish schools rapidly as desirable. There
fore Secretary Root recommends that Congress
authorizs a bond issue for the construction Of the
railroad based the road ITSELF or that the United
States make a loan 10 the insular treasury 70 be
repaid from the island revenues The Secretary
ake oFsR H. nher rraG
the defective currency system IL the Philippines
owing 70 the hlctuating price OF Mexican dollars
and he submits two suggestOns-one that the
United States coin a special dollar for use In the
islands OF the same weight and hneness as the
Mexican dollar. which shall take its chance with
the huctuatiOn OF the market; the other that an
insular dollar be coined, which the United States
shall undertake TO redeem in gold at 80 cents. He
lncines as does the Secretary OF the Treasury
toward the second course.
AIDING CUBA TO INDEPENDENCE
Regarding Cuba the report says the conduct OF
Anaifs there has been continuance of the process
% aiding the people IN the development of the
Cuban government in such a way that when fully
oeanized II shall be stable and efficient. This has
Oeen done by guiding the CubGns in the first step
" systematic self-gOvernment and by introduc-
ING, mainly through Cuban officers such reforms
N administration shall 10 put the business
u government in fairly good condition when a
complete Cuban administration finally assumes
0ON'teL The report describes the taking Of the
census and the beginning OF the municipal cleo
aons II explains that, in view OF the fact that Sc
- cent OF the people could not read and write. IL
s,-s. a9t deemed advisable that absolutely unre-
sIleIsa Suffrage should be established. The report
os.les the various steps in the creation Of the
Ae1Sonai Convention which is now in session.
with 1Ts5ss OF edneation, Secretary Root speaks