New-York tribune., 1900-05-18
OTHER SCANDALS FEARED.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR RASCALITY IN
PHILIPPINE PORTS AT A DIS
TANCE FROM MANILA.
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. !

Washington. May 1.-THE Administration is sat
isfed that the full extent Of the Cuban postal
frauds has been disclosed, and that the scan
dal. bad it was, will not reach the widespread
proportions which 1t at first feared would be
attained In the highest quarters confidence is ex-
pressed that the thorough investigation of all the
accounts of the island treasury, speedily set in
motion. and the prompt measures taken for the
prosecution and punishment of offenders of high
and low degree, Will prevent any repetition of
fraudulent practices. at least in Cuba where the
moral responsibility of the United States to the
natives is peculiarly exacting.
But none shut their eyes to the fact that the
opportunities afforded for rascality under the sys-
tenn of government adopted in Cuba tempting
in the extreme. and that what is true in this re-
spect of Cuba is doubly and trebly true of the
Philippines Competent and conscientious officials
of great experience shudder TO think CT the faci
ties afforded for grave irregularities of all kinds In
the disorganized islands across the Pacific. The
Tribune on September "A last called attention TO
specific instances of the utter absence of restraint
upon officials of certain classes in the ports at
some distance from Manila. and attention has
been frequently called the remote chance for the
detection of pecuaton under the loose methods
which scarcely separable from the condition of
affairs in most of the archipelago The presump
ton irresistible that a fair proportion of
sharpers had been attracted to the posses
sions, and that when they became disa ppointed in
their efforts to get rich quickly by legitimate meth
DDS they would not stop at dishonesty, especially
when supervision was necessarily lax That The
Tribune's disclosures had their effect the
thorites at Manila Enthusiastically and promptly
shown in sweeping general order. issued by Cen
eral Otis about November /. which raised such
commotion in Manila that it was withdrawn from
circulation for revision, and finally published to the
entire Eighth Corps the latter part of November.
OTIS'S REMARKABLE ORDER.
The corrected copy of this remarkable order was
as follows:
HeadgqaTteIs Eght1 81 Department of the Pacific and
a Alleged LEG, & cases Of bribe taking Of the acceptance
Service have Of late been brought to the attention
are obtained and transferred for a money consid-
Grafton; that COMPENSATION is made for the
portation of persons and things on public
veyances. or conveyances controlled by the public
own benefit, and that contributions are solicited if
not exaeted ID and and at any rate received from sub
tn, The commanding General IS constrained the be-
general complaints, and DO not relate to specific
ohences; have more or less substantial founda
its effects, appears to have reached stage Which
a oeer9 h besd a
and ber others @ In & GSnr0l are directed @ to to lend
an aegsons of n onss p ts mat a
are probed to the bottom. and when found to be
supported by evidence that the offenders
Apart from the gross impropriety which such acts
manfestiy involves the acceptance of gifts from in
feriors is repugnant to Section LISA Revised
positions from receiving "any gift present. Of
fered presented to them a contribution from
persons In Government employ receiving less sal.
this law. as construed by the United States Su
preme Court. is the protection of employees in the
discharge of their official duties and the main
tenance of proper discipline in the Government ser
vice. If contributions from those in public
ployment be solicited by others in official u
ah0py t. in boS may in ie, effect be become
resentment in officials having the power of re-
employment conducive the performance of
faithful service is thus seriously shaken if not
entirely destroyed
BY command of Major-Generai OTIS
Thomas II. Barry, Assistant Adjutant-Generai
MADE OFFICERS INDIGNANT
Even IN its expurgated form given above this
order raised intense Indignation among officers,
of whom in sending home copy wrote friend
high in authority in Washington follows:
1t fairly took away my breath. reads
like hurried and friendly warning to pals than
anything else and although bribery undoubtedly
exists in out of the way places. its sweeping
tenor has the effect of gross SANDER and out
be the outcome of panic, the intmation that
bribe taking is not only improper but strictly
trary to the statute would be grimly humorous.
The danger in the Philippines. like that in Cuba,
is feared much in military circles which
constantly subject to careful surveillance. but
positions. with wide discretionary powers and only
the most casual supervision. The latest mail from
Manila, which reached the War Department within
a week shows that symptoms of exist
the seat of central authority. The officials of
Bilibid Prison under investigation charges
of releasing and exchanging prisoners for money
and various other forms of corruption.
III