The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-20

The Secretary of War yesterday made
public eabled report from the Philip
pine Commission, now at Manila, dated
August u. 1900, which was referred to in
Mr. McRinlcy's letter of acceptance of
the Republican nomination fer the FRS
idency. and which purported to be a re-
ply to the following despatch sent to the
Philippine Commission on August II:
The President wishes you TO report y
cable the views of Commission on the
general condition of the islands as TO
peace and industry; business and revenue
conditions prevailing; progress cf oppor-
tunity for education; disposition of tn,
people toward the United States; what
improvement in this particular; the
present extent of the instruction; how
much Of the archipelago is tranquil how
much is still in disturbed state; proba-
bic continuance oil guerrilla warfare, and
influences operating to prolcng it; how
ii can best be brought to a close; condi-
lions and requirements of civil govern
ment''
1t will be observed that the message
to the Commissioners and the reply were
dated SO that both documents could lie
published in this country at a time when
the political effect would be most po-
tential upor the Republican cause.
In the first place, the reply to the
President purports to have come by
cable, three days only having elapsed
between the message of the President
and the reply OF the Commissioners.
Moreover, the Presidents message d.
reefs a reply by cable. the forwarding
of which must have cost a great deal of
money. Yet, the documents embodying
the request and the reply must have
been held at the White House for nsarly
a month.
The Commissions report says:
Replying to despatch Commission re-
ports: 1t has for two months and a half
made diligent enquiries into conditions
prevailing. Mass of people has aptitude
for education but is ignorant. supersti-
tious and credulous in a remarkable de-
gree. Hostility against Americans was
originally aroused by absurd falsehoods
of Inscriptions leaders. Distribution CT
troops in three hundred posts has by con-
tact largely dispelled hostility and stead
lily improved temper of people This i'm
provement, furthered by abuses of insur-
gents. affirms that large number of people
long for peace. and are willing to accept
government under United States. Insur-
gents not surrendering after defeat have
divided into small guerrilla bands under
general officers or become iadrones-
Nearly all prominent generals and politi-
clans of insurrection, except Aguinaldo,
have since been captured or have sur
rendered and have taken oath of allegi-
ance.
That Policy of Leniency.
Policy OF leniency eliminating in am
renders until defining of political issues in
United States. reported here in full gave
hope to insurgent officers. still in arms, of
changed policy and stayed surrenders TO
await result o. elections. Disturbance in
parts of island kept up and avowed by in
surgent proclamation and orders, to in
huence election, do not show unfriendly
attitude of majority of people of provinces
where they occur. but only activity of
small insurgent bodies in mountain fast
nesses whence they issue for usually harm
less night attacks or murderous ambush
Of small American squads. or 10 collect
or recruits from people ter
rorized by cutting out tongues cutting of
limbs, burying alive. murder. and piunder.
OF detection enables insurgents /
to maintain surveillance over people even
in some garrisoned towns. Uncertainty as
to the future policy of the United States |
and defencelessness of people without arms
largely prevent them aiding Americans in
outrages. Despite these diff
culties. maintenance OF status quo makes |
for more peaceful conditions. All northern |
Luzon, except in Neuvaeciia and Rulacan, |
are substantially free from insurgents !
People are busy planting and are asking |
Tor municipal organization. Railway and 1
telegraph lines from Manila to Dagupan, |
l22 miles, have not been molested for five |
months. In excepted provinces and parts /
IT. I
bands dodge from one mountain refuge TO |
another and give occasional trouble. Taga
logs alone active in leading guerrilla war |
fare, have succeeded in recruiting bands |
among the Visayans in Samar, Leyte, and |
parts of Panay, which maintain themselves |
by methods described. In Negroes. Cebu. !
Romblon. Masbate, Sibuyan. TabIas, Be-
hol, and other Visayan islands little dis |
turbance exists and civil government is |
eagerly awaited.
Near Cagayan in Mirdiao. old Tagalog |
penal settlement. considerable force of |
Iadrones makes neighboring country dan
gerous, and disturbance exists at Surf |
gao, but in south of this large sparsely |
settled island at Zamboanga Cottahatto. |
and other points, the country is tranutiI |
Four years of war and lawlessness in |
parts of islands have created unsettled |
conditions and unguarded American or /
foreigner travelling ordinary trails far |
from garriscns and attracting cupidity |
runs risk of violence even in pacifed |
provinces. Native constabulary and m l. !
itia. which should be organized at once, |
will end this and the terrorism to which |
defenceless people are subjected Ma |
tiyes desire to enlist in these organiza- |
tons. If iudiciously selected and Off |
cered will be efficient forces for main !
t-nance of order. and viii permit early |
material reduction of United States |
troops.
ct is conceded by all but men in arms
and is implied in their proclamation that
IL election confirms present policy rem
1ant of instruction 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 but can be suppressed by meas, |
lres Existing insurrecto organization now |
maintained with greatest difficulty for |
purpose stated. Effort is to mass enough |
insurgents TO crush one of our small gar |
risons for political effect, but hitherto |
without result. Change OF policy by turn |
ing islands over TO a coterie of Tagalog |
politicians will blight their fair prospects /
IF enormous improvement, drive out capt. |
al, make life and property-secular and |
insecure. Danish by fear OF |
,rueI prescription considerable body of |
Filipinos who have aided |
Americans in well-founded belief that |
heir people are not now fit for self-goy- |
srnment. and reintroduce the same OPP |
preston and corruption which existed in |
all provinces under Malolos insurgent |
government during the eight mon his of |
is control. The result will be factfOnal |