New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-11
DRASTIC COURSE NEEDED.
sCoNDITIoNs OF TERRORISM IN THE
PHILIPPINES.
OUTLAWS THAT MAY PREFER TO CONTINUE
THEIR CAREERS OF LIBERTY AND
LOOT" IN THE ISLANDS

OUTLAWS THAT May PREFER TO CONTINUE
THEIR CAREERS OF LIBERTY AND
LOOT" IN THE ISLANDS
Manila, Sept. l-That the E1Iipinos as a people.
and especially the Tegalogs, hate the Americans is
established and recognized. Americans not
popular with them (Which is but expected re-
salt OF fighting thenn), and they have not yet been
suppressed with the fact that the Americans hon
estly have their welfare at heart. But the more
and the better they know Americans the more
does their hatred diminish. and the continued
American occupation of a town county tends.
though very slowly. to establish confidence and
good feeling between Americans and islanders.
They will go hating you less and less said
q Icing time English resident Of Panpanga Prov
fnce. until finally you will be able to do
thing with them. but they will still go hating
ycu" The softening influence OF time will do much
to help the Americans understand the natives. and
vice versa.
AS example OF the good resulting from con-
tinued contact with Americans, the fact is
ferred TO that the provinces Of Central and North
err Luzon have been longer in American posses
eion than any other portions Of the islands, and
that Central and Northern Luzon are to-day COM
psrattvey Quieter and more at rest than is South
ern Luzon or the Visayan Isiands-so much that
the United States Taft Commission has selected
the Province OF PampRnga, In Central LuZon,
ths best field to establish its first municipal and
provincial governments. 1t cannot truthfully be
said that the period of reconstruction is hand,
but # is believed the influences make this period
possible are shaping, aided by whatever the wis
dom and good judgment OF the civil and military
euthortties shall dictate and make effective
AMERICAN CONTROL TOO IENIENT
American control of civil affairs has up to the
present time. Of necessity. military in It's d.
Eoctness and methods. It has not been diplomatic
or tactful have the Americans made any spe-
cdal effort to please the Filipino people or to in
crease their popularity with them But the Ameri-
cans have been lenient and extremely fair in their
oealings with the rebels though the wisdom OF this
ileniency has been questioned by many, and few
Gays ago Spanish friar said to the writer:
You could stop this revolution al once IL you
wanted to by taking drastic measures against its
leaders; shoot them the Luneta or Danish them
and the people would believe you in earnest
IN your efforts to stamp out revolt As long as
you continue with your policy Of ieniency they
think you are afraid OF them. that eventually they
VIII De able to force concessions from you. and
Il they can but hold out long enough they will OBJ
lain their Independence. The departure of those
TWO regiments for China and the return of half of
your army OF occupation during the next nine
months will do much TO encourage them They
Sealze neither your determination nor your power"
1t is Interesting TO note that very many intelligent
F1lipinss in Manila. and especially those who have
IN the past been connected with the revolution be-
heve the Americans prolonging the fighting
with intent they argue its continuance is beneficial
TO the army, collectively and individually that
there are still American leaders who wish to make
can see no good reason why the Americans should
bring their campaign to a close. They ell admit
however. that the Americans could bring about
peace. snd not by concessions either: though they
are not frank the Spanish friar In outlining
the proper method to do SO. These opinions
are shared by q number OF foreign residents of
Manila. and especially by those foreigners who
still live in the provinces. The lack Of mutual
understanding and appreciation of motive has
long been stumbling block to satisfactory re-
1ations between the Americans and Filfpnos and
It exists to-day and is accountable for the utterly
false view Of the Americans attitude The diff
ference in language Is largely accountable such
misconceptions, and this difficulty of language is
one the Americans Will long have to contend with.
COST OF LIVING IN THE ISLAND
There several measures which the United
States authorities could adopt order to increase
American popularity and materially hasten the
soften1ng Influences OF time. Living to-day in
Manila is very expensive compared with former
times, and the increased of food and clothes
as well high rentals. more directly affect the
poorer classes. and consequently the mass of the
people. than they do American officers and Gov
eminent employees, who enjoy the inestimable ad-
vantage OF buying the necessaries and Iuxuries of
nfe from the Army commissary. the element of
She resident Americans who live at the hotels
The poor people are hard pressed nowadays TO
make both ends meet, and this telling poverty has
FOLLOWED the American advent into the islands.
years have gone by since the Americans came here,
and there is still relit. Under Spain, when meat
IN Manila sold for than 10 cents. gold. a
pound, the Government competed with the meat
Avenders and thus prevented their selling for
ssnore than this amount. Since the United States
Sroops have been in possession meat has sold gen
serally from 20 to IS cents. gold, pound Some
three months ago q private firm entered the lists
with cheap meat at Is and 20 cents pound, and
Cor time prices kept down: but within the
last week they have again risen to 371a cents and
%here is every itklihood Of their remaining
8tve.
IN normal times In this country rice was sold at
$50 Mexican Cor q gold) for cavan. and
hcavan OF rice will maintain Filipino family OF
persons for twenty days. To-day this
.sre Of rice costs q 80 Mexican. and Americans
sess they live with the poorer people and as they
do canEot possibly realize what this difference in
price TO them. The American authorities
could have regulated the price Of meat and could
nave regulated the price of rice, but they
done so. A grateful people would have said, 1.-THE
Americans consider and provide for our wellbeing;
have increased that popularity which they so much
need
Three days ago Filipino who keeps family on
- Asxtcaa q month. said IT. the writer:
Gan you blame me for believing that a long as
Sou Americans live cheapy yourselves through
your Army commissary you care little enough for
what happsna TO the people at large? OF course
sou not popular and but few reasons
Scr liking you. STILL you improve acquaintance
xcu E1usr remember that leaders have filed
pu< ears with fearful stories of your cruelty and
bzbarities and that IT takes time and contact for
As to learn the contrary"
WILL KEEP UP THEIR MURDERS
While some Filipino leaders will undoubtedly sur
$sndsr II President Mckinley Is reelected and
while their example reasonably be expectd to
have Q number Of followers among their soldiers
49, -