The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-09-14
FILIPINO clnnIsSln
ms TASK TO Perform.
FRIENDLY NATIVES VERY
THOROUGHLY coWED BY
THE INSUR0xNTs.
oMcers Installed by the Americans
Pu. TO Desth-Ladrones Prey
on Every one-certain
Sections Quiet

incapable of realizing the scope and
purpose of the legislative functions Of
the Peace Commission There is no
possibility Of separating the Legislative
from the executive branches Of the
government. and the commissions an
nouncement OF its assumption OF pow
er yesterday, has met with childish
comments at the hands Of the Span
iards and foreigners, who sneer at the
new arrangement as they are apt to do
at every beneficial innovation on the
part of the United States.
The Commission enters upon the
governmental field under the follow
ing conditions: The majority Of the
islanders desire peace and the resump-
ton of business under the Americans,
but they are so cowed by long series
OF murderous atrocities and destrue-
ton of property by their armed coun-
trymen that they dare not actively
show their feelings, especially because
experience has taught them what sucn
an expression of sentiment will bring
upon them from the mercilessly re-
vengeful rebels. A genuine reign Of
terror is exercised by insurgents and
Iadrones over peaceful country folk Al
order TO collect the revenue and re-
eruits the operations require, and wide
spread vengeance is wreaked in the
vicinity Of garrisoned towns.
For example, the insurgent Gen.
Caiiles, in the province Of Laguna. put
TO death the president and office hold
egs of the town Of Bayo Laguna de
Eay, officials who had been installed by
the Americans, and gave orders that a
similar fate should be melted out to
other adherents of the American cause.
He ordered that all of the Filipino SOL
dieTs who sold their rifles to the Amer
leans. should be killed. Any change Of
policy involving the withdrawal Of the
United States troops, without substi-
tuting for them an adequate defensive
force. Is certain to result in fearful re-
taliation at the expense Of the friend
lies"
The approaching repatriation of the
volunteers tends to influence the situ-
alton unfavorably. In northern Luzon
the status quo is fairly wen maintain.
ed, and the people in that quarter are
quiet and engaged in planting. except
in the provinces of Nueva Ecija ana
Bulacan, where there has been a re-
cent outburst of rebel and ladrone &c.
tivity. But in Southern Luzon con-
ditions are far less satisfactory. Life
is not safe outside the garrison towns.
Travellers are subject to ambush by
guerillas. Rarely does a day pass
without an encounter between the
troops and the insurgents or ladrones,
resulting in casualties. There are 49,
600 troops in that district, Gen. Bates
commanding, and in three regiments
over 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 and that they wish to
annihilate some small American gar
risons.
Conditions in the Visayas continue
virtually unchanged. The lack of
troops in Samar prevents aggression.
Negros. Romblon, Masbate. Sibuyan.
of any locality tends to its pacifica-
desiring civil government Mindanao
is also tranquil, except in the districts
OF Teagayan and Iurigam, where oc-
casional encounters with the Filipinos
occur. The enemy's fighting force
there is limited, but it has number of
rifles The surrenders, although they
have notably decreased since May. con-
tinue
The experience Of Northern Luzon
shows that the American occupation
of any locality tends to its pacifica
ton and well being. An unsettled Am
erican policy retards the investment Of
capital. Nevertheless, the imports Of
last quarter and half were greater
than during any period of the Spanish
regime. The internal revenue collec.
lions are third greater than those
made by Spain This is due to An
honest system Of accounts, lack of IA
voritism and to impartial enforcement
of the laws
The military officials wiz turn over
IS .000, 900, Mexican, to the commission.
and this viii probably be expended in
public Improvements. notably in har-
Dor Developments. the need of which
is greatly hampering the shipping In
terests.
The Commission win frst organize
In the provinces, nota-
bly, In Pampanga province. Suhse-
quently it viii turn it, attention to
needed reforms In the civil and crimi-
nal codes, passing in due time to other
features Of its instructions. with the
idea Of establishing central civic goy-
eminent during the next eighteen
Twelve Americans. including two
captains and two lieutenants. have
been killed during the past two weeks.