River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1900-11-15
IN TIE PHILIPPINES.
Maj. Gen. Macarthur Tells of oper-
alton and Present Conditions
in the Islands.


Washington. Nov. 12.-Maj- Gen. Arthur
Macarthur, commanding the army in the
Philippines and military governor OF the
islands since Nav 5, 1900 has submitted ms
report TO the war department consid-
cradle portion of the report relates 10
events which took place previous TO the
date when he assumed command, and ne
publishes some OF the correspondence and
proclamations OF the Filipinos obtained be-
fore that time. He refers TO the change IN
Aguinaldos plans in abandoning his army
organization and starting guerrilla war
fare. The conditions of the country have
afforded advantages for such policy, lie
says. as they have enabled the insurgents
to appear and disappear at their con-
venience. At one time they are soldiers,
and Immediately tier are within the Amer
lean lines in the attitude of peaceful ma
tives. widely scattered formation OF
Filipinos quickly followed the guerrilla
warfare which led TO corresponding dis
semination OF American troops, there be-
ing So military stations In the archipelago
November /. 1899, and 413 stations Septem-
Der /. 1900 This resulted in large num-
Der of minor affairs, many OF whieh did
not assume the dignity OF regular COM
bat, though the casualties between the
dates stated were PCS Americans killed, $50
wounded and IS captured; the Filipino
losses during the same time beins 3,z-f
killed 694 wounded and 2,S64 captured. Gen.
Macarthur says the extensive distribution
of troops has strained the soldiers of the
army to the fun limit of endurance he
says the apparent desultory work mas de-
manded more of discipline, and as much OF
valor as was required during the period OF
regular operations against concentrated
field forces of insurrectionists Gen Mac
Arthur speaks In the highest terms OF the
service rendered by the troops amid all
labors and hardships.
In closing his report, Gen. Macarthur
after speaking of the establishment OF
republican form of government in the
islands. says:
I'm the light of existing conditions II IL
difficult to realize that there ts any possi-
bility of such future for the islands, es-
pecially so as at present and for many
years - come, the necessity OF a large
American military and naval force is too
apparent TO admit of discussion. On the
other hand, however, there are many en-
couraging conditions to sustain such con-
viction. For example in the Philippines
there is no dynasty to destroy; no organ
lied system of feudal laws to eradicate; no
principles inconsistent with republicanism,
which had solidly insinuated themselves
into the national life, TO displace; no ao-
verse aspects of nature to overcome. on
the contrary, nature which is exuberant,
balmy and generous, has nourished into ex-
istence several millions of sensitive and
credulous people, without allegiance to any
existing institutions, but animated by GER
tain inchoate ideas and aspirations. which
by some unfortunate perversion of thought
they conceive TO be threatened by America.
These people fortunately, are intelligent.
generous and flexible and probably will
yield quickly and with absolute confidence
to tuition and advice when thoroughly in
formed of American institutions and pur-
poses
LAS a future thought in the same direc-
ton. it may be suggested that the Aryan
races are making their way back into the
old continent, which as consequence is
likely. within generation more, to become
the theater of gigantic political activities.
Up to this time the practical effect of re-
publican institutions has not been con-
sidered in this connections but the rapid
extension of republican civilization in these
islands. which is not only possible. but
probable, of necessity must exert an active
ard potential influence upon the affairs OF
Asia, which, under the inspiration of
American ideas, transmitted through Fill
pinos, may yet exhibit the greatest of po-
litical wonders A rather broad concep-
ton, perhaps but one we'll calculated to fix
the attention of the most casual observer
and warm the fancy of the most indiffer
mt