Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-06-11
A GIGANTIC TASK
Confronts the New Civil Com
mission in Philippines.
The Governmental Alternatives Now
Are the Army or Anarchy.
Over 200 Filipinos Killed and 100 Captured
During Last Week.

Manila, June 10.-Judge VIM. II. Taft
and his colleagues of the Philippine
civil commission, were beset, during
their first week in Manila, by a multi
tude of callers of all nationalities, pro-
feSsionS and interests, who presented
a bewildering assortment of recommen-
dations touching military and civil pol
icies. The commissioners maintained
the attitude of unprejudiced listeners.
They admit that while they anticipa-
ted an enormous task, the completely
and difficulty of the problems and con-
ditions are well nigh staggering. They
are determined. however. with the CO.
operation of the army in pacifying as
well as in fighting, to make the Philip
pines peaceful and honestly governed
country before departing. They find
Gen. Macarthur administering civil
and military affairs in a way that is
universally popular.
The Filipino party, embracing prom
inent insurrectionists who accepted
American rule through force of cir
cumstances, is already making over
lures for the discussion of scheme of
permanent government. practically re-
viving the old proposition of autonomy
There are, of course, some Filipinos
who believed that Judge Taft would
bring the millennium in his vest pocket
Z and these profess to be disappointed
because sweeping changes are not inn
mediately enforced.
Judge Taft's utterances indicate a
conciiatory policy toward the natives.
He has conferred with the high army
~ -l,.,r, etrn civ
that larger army is necessary to sup
press the insurrection, believing that
civil government VIII be impossible until
the rampant rebellion in the southern
districts of Luzon. in the extreme moth
ern provinces of the island and in the
Visayas, except Negroes, is crushed.
One of the most foremost questions
is how and from what materials to or
ganize a civil force with which gradu-
ally to supersedc the army as a GOV
erning machine. Spains auxiliary, the
church. is necessarily barred from con-
sideration.
American experience among the ma
tives discourages the hope of honest
government through them until gen.
Grafton of more of training shall have
eradicated the results of SPANS tute-
lage. A large proportion of the prov
incial officials already installed have
proven treacherous. while the native
police here and in Manila are living on
a scale of luxury suspiciously dispro
portiOnate to their salaries. Charges
against native judges of failing to ac-
count for thousands of dollars received
in fines are under investigation. At
present the governmental alternatives
are the army on one hand and anarchy
on the other.
Gen. Otis plan of municipal govern
ments is being inaugurated in the prin-
cipaI towns of central Luzon and in
parts of the Viscayas, but the F'ilipinos
persist in thinking that the question
whether the United States will retain
the Philippines is still open and some
local leaders ask that municipal cleo
tons be postponed until after the Pres
idential election. Many people object
to taking the oath of allegiance to the
United States government, which is the
first qualification for voting for munic-
ipal candidates.
The commissioners also find that the
future status of the church in the
Philippines is leading question in the
minds Of many. although most of
those who have talked with Judge Taft
and his colleagues draw the inference
that the commissioners are opposed to
the re-insta tement of the friars. Arch
bishop Chappelle has taken strong
stand in supporting the requests Of the
friars to be established in their old
positions.
AS result Of last weeks scouting,
more than 200 Filipinos We're killed and
100 captured, while 40 rifles with am
munition and stores We're secured The
American loss was nine killed. includ-
ing q captain and q lieutenant; two
captains and q privates wounded and
one captain taken prisoner by the Fill
pinos.