The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-21
PHILIPPINE SITUATION.
AS Reported by the Commission Sent
Out by the President.

lengthy document winch Is 6464e0 Dy Ill
the members Of the commission and is
in part as follows:
Manila. Aug. 81. 1sOo-Secretary Of
War, Washington: Replying to dis
patch, commission reports: 1t has for
two months and half made diligent in
quiries into conditions prevailing Mass
of people has aptitude for education. but
it is ignorant, superstitious and credu-
1ous in a remarkable degree. Hostility
against Americans was originally aroused
by absurd falsehoods of INSCRIPTIONS
leaders. Distribution Of troops in 300
posts has by contact largely dispelled
hostility and steadily improved temper
of people. This improvement, furthered
by abuses of insurgents, affirms 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 or become ladrones Nearly all
prominent generals and politicians OF
insurgents except Aguinaldo have since
been captured or have surrendered and
taken oath of allegiance.
Policy of leniency eliminating in am
nesty had marked effect to induce sur
renders until defining of political issues
in the United States reported here in
full, gave hope to insurgent officers still
in arms of changed policy and stayed
surrenders to await result of elections.
Disturbances in parts of island, kept up
and avOwed by insurgent proclamation
and orders. to influence election, do not
show unfriendly attitude of majority of
people of provinces where they occur
but only usually harmless night attacks,
or murderous ambush of small Ameri-
can squads, or to collect contributions
or recruit from people terrorized by cut
ting out tongues, cutting off limbs.
burying alive murder and plumber Dir
ficulty of detection enables insurgents
to maintain surveillance over people
even in some garrisoned towns. Uncer-
tainty as to future policy or united
States and defenselessness of people
without arms largely prevent them aid
ing. Americans in SuppreSSlnS outraSeS-
"Despite these difficulties, mainten-
ance of status quo makes far more
peaceful conditions. All northern Luzon
except in Neuvaecija and Bulacan are
substantially free from insurgents PeO-
pie are busy planting and are asking
for municipal organization. Railway
and telegraph lines from Manila to Da-
gupan, 122 miles, have not been moiested
for FIVE months In excepted provinces
and parts of provinces of southern Luz
zon, insurrecto bands dodge from one
mountain refuge to another and give oc-
casiona1 trouble. Tagalogs alone actlVe
in leading guerrilla warfare, nave sue
ceeded in recruiting bands among the
Visayans in Samar, Leyte, and parts OF
Panay which maintain themselves by
method described.
an Necros. Cebu. Romblon, Masbate,
Sibuyan, Tablas. Bohol and other Wis
AVIAN islands. little disturbance exists
and civil government is eagerly awaited.
Near Cayangan in Mindanao old Tagalog
penal settlement considerable force OF
Ladrones makes neighboring country
dangerous and disturbance exists at
Surigao but in south of this large
sparsely settled island at zamooansa'
Cottabatto and other points the coun-
try is tranquil. -Four years OF war ana
lawlessness in parts of islands have
created unsettled conditions and url-
80. 4rTr-a r~ @1x
me ordinary trails far from garrisons
and attracting cupidity, run risk OF vlo-
lence even in pacified provinces. Native
constabulary and militia, which should
the terrorism to which defenseless peo-
nile are subjected. Natives desire 70
enlist in these organizations II JUDI
ciously selected and offlcered Will De
sufficient force for maintenance OF oruer
and will permit early material reduction
of United States troops.
eft is conceded by all but men in arms
and is implied in their proclamation that
If the election confirms present policy
remnant of instruction will disappear
within sixty days by surrender OF lead
ers and fading out of rank and hIe- La
orones in part a heritage from spanish
rule will continue but can be suppressed
nv measures Existing insurrection or
SANITATION now maintained with great
est difficulty for purpose stated. Effort
is to mass enough insurgents to crush
effect but hitherto without result
Change of policy by turning ISLANDS over
to a coterie of Tagalog politicians wall
blight their fair prospects OF enormous
Improvement drive out capital, make
life ard property, secular and religious
most insecure Danish by fear OF cruel
prescription considerable body OF con-
servative F'ilipinos who have aided
Americans in well founded bellef tnat
their people are not now fit for self
government, and reintroduce the same
oppression and corruption when existed
in all provinces under Malolos 1nsuIgeht
government during the eight months OF
its control. The result will be factional
strife between Jealous leaders, chaos ana
anarchy, and will require ana JustlIy
active intervention Of our government
or some other
business interrupted by war is much
improved as peace extends, but invest
ment of new capital is retarded DS
doubt concerning the policy OF the unit
ed States In Negros more sugar is in
cultivation than ever before. New IoreS-
try regulations give impetus to timber
trade and reduce high price or lumper.
Cultivation of rice in some provinces IS
retarded by loss of draft cattle through
disease and war. Meat is now 10 cents
a pound. Customs collections for last
quarter were so per cent greater than
ever in Spanish history, and August coll
lections snow further increase Total
revenue for same period was one-third
greater than any quarter under Spain,
though the Cedula tax chief source of
Spanish revenue has been practically
abolished. Economy and efficiency of
military government have created sur
plus fund of six million Mexican which
should be expended in much needed
public works; notably, Improvement of
Manila harbor, the condition of which
with consequent delay and expense in
landing goods is a greater embargo on
business than many nearly pFohibitory
tariff rates inherited from Spain and
4ar a a
facilities Manila win become the great
port of the Orient Spanish revenue
laws throwing burden of taxation on the
poor give the wealthy comparative inn
munity. Tariff now prevents importa-
tions from America of canned goods, |
machinery and other necessaries. Span
ish inland revenue chiefly derived from |
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