The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-20
Report OF The
Philippine
Commission


Commission
BY Exclusive Wire from The Associated Press.
Washington, Sept. 10, 1900
n N AUG. II Secretary Root cabled the Philip.
ID pine commission for a report Of the opera.
" tions to date. Following is the dispatch
and the reply OF the commission cabled on
Aug. 2l:
Washington, Sept. 10.
"War Department Telegram,
aug. IL, 1900.
'To Philippine Commission, Manila
"The president wishes you to report by cable
the views Of commission on the general condi-
tion OF the islands as to peace and industry,
business and revenue conditions prevailing, pro.
gress OF opportunity for education, disposition
OF the people toward the United States, what
improvement in this particular, the present ex-
tent Of the insurrection, how much Of the archi-
pelago is tranquil, how much is still in dis.
turbed state, probable continuance of guerrilla
warfare and influences operating to prolong n.
how it can best be brought TO close, condi-
tions and requirements of civil government.
"ROOT,
Secretary OF War"
"Manila, Aug. 81, 1900.
Secretary OF War, Washington.
Replying TO dispatch, commission reports:
IL has for two months and a half made digent
inquiries into conditions prevailing. Mass Of
people has aptitude for education, but is ignoT-
ant, superstitious and creduous in a remarkable
degree Hostility against Americans origin.
ally aroused by absurd falsehoods Of unscrupu-
lous leaders. Distribution Of troops in 300 posts
has by contact largely dispelled hostility and
steadily improved temper OF people This i'm
provement, furthered by abuses OF insurgents, af
firms that large number OF people long for peace
and are willing to accept government under
United States, Insurgents not surrendering after
defeat have divided into small guerrilla bands
under general officers become Ladrones. Near
ly all prominent generals and politicians of in
surrection except hguinaldo have since been cap.
tured have surrendered and have taken oath
Of allegiance Policy of leniency, eliminating
in amnesty. had marked effect TO induce sur
renders until defining Of political issues in United
States, reported here in full, gave hopes to in.
surgent officers still in arms, Of changed policy
and stayed surrenders to await result OF cleo
tions Disturbances in parts of island. kept up
aud avowed by insurgent proclamation and Or
ders, to influence election, do not show unfriend-
ly attitude OF majority OF people OF 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,
terrorized by cutting out tongues, cutting off
| limbs burying alive, murder and plunder Diff
Guilty Of detection enables insurgents to maintain
surveillance people even in some garrisoned
towns. Uncertainty as to future policy Of
United States and defenseessness Of people with
out arms largely prevent them aiding Americans
in suppressng outrages. Despite these Difficult
| ties, maintenance Of status quo makes for more
! peaceful conditions. All northern Luzon, except
| in veuvaeca and Bulacan, substantially free
| from insurgents. People busy planting and
| are asking for municipal organization. Railway
! and telegraph lines from Manila to Dagupan, l22
| miles, have not been molested for five months.
| In excepted provinces and parts OF provinces OF
| southern Luzon, insurrecto bands dodge from
| one mountain refuge to another and give occa'
| sional trouble Tagalogs alone active in leading
| guerrilla warfare, have succeeded in recruiting
| bands among the Visayans in Samar, Leyte and
| parts of Panay, which maintain themselves by
! method described. In Negros, Cebu, Romblon,
| Masbatc Sibuyan, Tabas Bohol and other VISA
van islands, little disturbance exists and civil
government is eagerly awaited. Near Cayagan'
| in Mindinao, old Tagaog penal settlement, con-
siderable force Of Ladroncs makes ncighboring
| country dangerous, and disturbance exists at
| Surigao, but in south of this large sparsely set
| tied island OF Zamyoanga, Cottabatto and other
| points the country is tranquil
| O.
'Four years OF war and lawlessness IN parts OF
| islands have created unsettled conditions and
unguarded American or foreigner travelling Or
| binary trails far from garrisons and attracting
cupidity, runs risk Of violence even in pacided
| 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 10 enlist in these
organizations. II iudicously selected and ohi'
| cered will be sufficient force for maintenance
of order and will permit early material reduc'
| tion of United States troops. It is conceded by
| all but men in arms, and is implied IN tnelr
proclamation that il election confirms present
| nolicv remnant of insurrection will disappear
| within sixty days by surrender OF leaders and
| fading out Of rank and file. Ladrones, in part
| a heritage from Spanish rule. will continue, out
| can be suppressed by measures. Existing lnsur'
rection organization now maintained with great
est difficulty for purposes 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 coterie OF Tagalog politicians
will blight their fair prospects OF enormous I'M
provement, drive out capital, make life and
property--secular and religious-most insecure
Danish by fear Of cruel prescription con
siderable number Of educated Filipinos in
| we'll founded belief that their people
are not now fit for selfgoyernment, ami
reintroduce the same oppression and corruption
which existed in all provinces under Malolos
insurgent government during the eight months
| of its control The result will be factional strife
and Justify active intervention OF our govern
| ment or some other. Business interrupted by
war is much improved as peace extends, but in
vestment of new capital is retarded by doubt con-
| cernng the policy of the United States. In
Negros more sugar is in cultivation than ever
before New forestry regulations give impetus to
timber trade and reduce high price of lumber
Cultivation Of rice in some provinces Is retarded
! by loss OF draft cattle through disease and war
Meat is now Is cents a pound Customs collec'
! tions for last quarter were so per cent. greater
than ever in Spanish history, and August col
lections show further increase. Total revenue
for same period vas one-third greater than any
quarter under Spain, though cedul a tax, chief
source OF Spanish revenue, has been practically
| abolished. Economy and efficiency of military
government have created surplus fund Of S6OOO,OO0
| Mexican, which should be expended in much
| needed public works, notably improvement OF
| Manila barbor the conditions of which, with