The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-20
Then patriot" ASuinaldO and His
band of TagaIo Murderers be-
gan Guerrilla Warfare.
MAJORITY OF NATIVES QUIET
ANXIOUS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF A
STABLE GOVERNMENT.
But for Agitators in the United States
There Would BE Little Use for
Gen. MacArthur's Army.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 19.-On Aug. IL
Secretary Root cabled the Philippine COM
mission for a report of its operations to
date. Following is the Dispatch
''The President wishes you to report by
cable the views of the commission on the
general condition Of the islands as TO peace
and industry; business and revenue con-
ditons prevailing; progress OF opportunity
for education; disposition of the people
toward the United States; what improve
ment in this particular; the present extent
OF the improvement; how much OF the
archipelago is tranquil; how much is still
In disturbed state; probable continuance
of guerrilla warfare and influences operat-
ing TO prolong it; how 1t can best be
brought to close; conditions and require
ments OF civil government
William III. Taft, Dean c. Worcester,
Luke L. Wright. Henry c. Ide and Bernard
Moses, composing the commission, cabled
as follows on Aug. p:
Replying to dispatch, the commission re-
ports: 1t has for two months and a half
made diligent inquiries into conditions pre-
vailing. Mass of people has aptitude for
education. but is ignorant. superstitious
and credulous In remarkable degree. Hos
tility against Americans was originally
aroused by absurd falsehoods of unscrupu-
lous leaders. Distribution of troops in 800
posts has by contact largely dispelled nos
tilty and steadily improved temper of peo-
pie This Improvement, despite abuses
of insurgents. affirms that large number of
people long for peace and are wiling TO ac-
cept government under United States In
surgents not surrendering after defeat nave
divided into small guerrilla bands under
general officers or become ladrones. Near
ly all prominent generals and politicians or
insurrection except Aguinaido have since
been captured or have surrendered and
have taken oath of allegiance. Policy OF
leniency eliminating In amnesty had
marked effect to induce surrenders until de-
init tad fn fQE
reported here in full. gave hope TO insur-
gent 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 proclama-
ton and orders TO influence election, do not
show unfriendy attitude of majority OF
people of provinces where they occur, but
only activity of small iDsurgent bodies In
mountain Businesses, whence they issue for
usually harmless night attacks or murder
Gus ambush of small American squads. or
to collect contributions or recruit from
people terroriZed by cutting out tongues,
cutting off limbs, burying alive, murder
and plumber. Difficulty of detection enables
insurgents to maintain surveillance over
people even in some garrisoned towns Un-
certainty as to future policy or United
States and defenselessness of people with
out arms largely prevent them aiding
Americans in suppressing outrages Despite
these difficulties, maintenance OF status quo
makes for more peaceful conditions.
"All northern Luzon. except in Neuva
Ecija and Bulaeans are substantially free
from insurgents. People are busy planting
and are asking for municipal organization.
Railway and telegraph lines from Manila
TO Dagupan, 122 miles. have not been mo-
Tested for five months. In excepted prov
inces and parts of provinces of southern
Luzon insurrecto bands dodge from one
mountain refuge 10 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, Masbate, Sbu-
yam, Tablas, Bohol and other Visayan
islands little disturbance exists. and civil
government is eagerly awaited. Near Cay
agan, in Mindanao, an old Tagalog penal
settlement, considerable force of ladrones
makes neighboring country dangerous, and
disturbance exists at Surigoa, but in south
of this large sparsely settled island, at
Zamboanga, Cottabatto and other points.
the country is tranquil.
s.Four years of war and lawlessness in
PARTS of islands have created unsettled con-
ditions and unguarded American or for
eigner travelling ordinary trails far from
of violence even in pacifed provinces. Ma
tive constabulary and militia, which should
be organized at once will end this and the
terrorism TO which defenseless people are
subjected Natives desire to enlist in these
organizations Ii judiciously selected and
officered will be sufficient force for main
tenance OF order and Will permit early
material reduction of United States troops.
i. is conceded by all but men in arms and
Is implied in their proclamation that If
election confirms present policy remnant Of
insurrection will disappear within sixty
DAYS by surrender OF leaders and fading
heritage from Spanish rule, will continue
but can be suppressed by measures. Exist
ing insurrecto organization now maintained
with greatest difficulty for purposes stated
Effort is to mass enough insurgents TO
crush one OF small garrisons for politi-
cal 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 improve
ment drive out capital, make life and prop
crfy. secular and religious--most insecure
banish by fear of cruel prescription consid-
erable body of conservative Fflipinos who
have aided Americans in well-founded belief
that their people are not now tit for self
government. and reintroduce the same op-
preston and corruption which existed in all
provinces under Malolos insurgent govern
ment during the eight months OF its con-
troll. The result will be factional strife
between jealous leaders, chaos and
anarchy, anu viii icquhc dAu JUSTLY active
intervention of our government or some
other.
BUSINESS IMPROVING.
Business interrupted by war is much
improved as peace extends. but investment
of new capital is retarded by doubt con-
corning 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 diseases and war Meat is
now 10 cents a pound. Customs collections