Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-09-06
UNDER ACOMMISSION
f'ilipinos Do Not Seem to Ap-
preciate the New Regime.
lAJGElTY OF ISLANDERS WANT PEACE
insurgents Exercise "a Reign of Ter
ror and Hinder Work of the
Peace Com mmissfOners-MRny mi
Islands Now Tranquil.

MANILA, Sept. 3. - The Filipinos
tecm incapable of realizing the scope and
purpose OF the legislative functions OF
the commission of peace. There Is nc
possibility of separating the Legislative
from the executive branches of the gov
ernmcnt. and therefore the commissions
announcement of its assumption of power
Sept has met with childish comments
at the hands OF the Spaniards and for
eigners. who jealously sneer ut the new
arrangement, as they are apt to do at
every beneficial, innovation on the part of
the United States authorities.
The commission enters upon the gov.
ernmental field under the following condi-
tions:
A majority of the islanders desire peace
and the resumption of business under the
Americans, but they are so cowed by
long series Of murderous atrocities and
destruction of property by their armed
countrymen that they dare not actively
show their feelings. especially because
experience has taught them what such an
expression of sentiment will bring upon
them from the mercilessly revengeful reb-
els. A genuine reign of terror is exercis-
ed by insurgents and ladrones over
peaceful countryfolk in order to collect
the revenue and recruits their operations
require. and widespread vengeance is
wreaked in the vicinity of garrisoned
towns. For example, the insurgent gen
eral Cailles in the province of Laguna
put to death the president and ofiicehold-
ers of the town of Bay, on Lagunu de
Bay, officials who had been installed by
the Americans, and gave orders that u
similar fate should be meted out to other
adherents of the American cause. He
also ordered that all Filipino soldiers who
sold their rifles to the Americans should
be killed.
Any change of policy involving the
withdrawal of the United States troops
without substituting for them an ade-
quate defensive force is certain To result
in fearful retaliation at the expense of
the friendles. The approaching patria-
tion of the volunteers tends to influence
the situation unfavorably.
In northern Luzon the status quo is
fairly well maintained. and the people in
| that quarter are quiet and engaged in
planting. except in the provinces of Nue.
va Ecija and Bulacan. where there has
been a recent outburst of rebel and la
| drone activity. But in southern I.uzon
| conditions are far from satisfactory. Life
there is not safe outside the garrisoned
/ by guerriilas. Rarely does II day pass
without an encounter between the United
States troops and the insurgents ar la-
| drones. resulting In casualties.
There are 1900 troops in that district.
General Bates commanding. and in three
regiments over a third of the men ARE
! sick. The activity of the enemy increased
| last month. There is evidence that the
insurgents have come into possession Of
new rifles aud that they wish to annihi-
late some small American garrison for
the sake Of the political effect In the
United States.
Conditions In the Nisayas continue
virtually unchanged. The lack of troops
in Samar prevents aggression. Negros
I,omblon. Masbate. Sibnyan. Tablas and
Bohol are tranquil all desiring civil gov
ernments. Mindanao is also tranquil. ex
cepting the districts of Teaeayan and
Surigam. where occasional encounters
with the Filipinos occur. The enemy
lighting force there is limited. but il ha'
n number Of rifles. The surrendcrs. al
though they have noticeably decreased
since May, continae.
Twelve Americans. including two cap
tnins and two lleutenants. hay. heef
killed during the past two weeks. III.
official reports of the encounters III whist
these casualties aeenrred are meag.r.
Coat Far Austria.
PENSACOLA. Fla, Sept. IA loea
coal company has clo contract ia
| Itnl UtaI tons of coal to ipprd through