New-York tribune., 1900-09-03
INSURGENT ATROCITIES.
FILIPINos FRIENDLY TO AMERICANS
PUT TO DEATH.
CONDITIONS IN THE IsLANDs-EFFoRrs OF
THE CIVIL COMMISSION TO Or
CAME GOVERNMENT.

CAME GOVERNMENT.
Manila, Sept 2-The Fuipinos seem incapable
OF realizing the scope and purpose Of the legis-
lative functions Of the Commission OF Peace.
There Is no possibility of separating the legis-
Iative from the executive branches OF the gov
ernment and therefore the Commissions an
nouncement Of it's assumption Of power yester-
day has met with childish comments at the
hands Of the spaniards and foreigners, who
jealousy sneer at the new arrangement, they
are apt to do al every beneficial innovation on
the part Of the United States authorities
The Commission enters upon the governmental
field under the following conditions:
MAJORITY DESIRE PEACE
A majority OF the islanders desire peace and
the resumption Of business under the Ameri-
cans, but they are so cowe6 by a long series
OF murderous atrocities and destruction Of prop
erty by their armed countrymen that they dare
not actively show their feelings, especially be-
cause experience has taught them what such an
expression OF sentiment will bring upon them
from the mercilessly revengeful rebels. A genu-
Inc reign Of terror is exercised by insurgents and
ladrones over peaceful country folk IN order 70
collect the revenue and recruits their operations
require. and widespread vengeance is wreaked
in the vicinity Of garrisoned towns. For ex-
ample, the insurgent General CaiIIes in the
province Of Laguna, put TO death the Presidente
and oficeholders OF the town Of Bay, on L1aguna
de Bay, officials who had been installed by the
Americans and gave orders that a similar fate
should be meted out to other adherents Of the
American cause. He also ordered that all Fill
pino soldiers who sold their rifles TO the Arneri-
cans should be killed
Any change OF policy involving the withdrawal
Of the United States troops. without substituting
for them an adequate defensive force, is certain
TO result IN fearful retaliation at the expense Of
the friendlies. The approaching patriation Of
the volunteers tends 10 influence the situation
unfavorably.
REBEL AND LADRoNE ACTIVITY.
In Northern Luzon the status quo is fairly
well maintained. and the people in that quarter
are quiet and engaged il planting, except in the
provinces Of Nueva Ecija and Bulacan where
there has been a recent outburst Of rebel and
ladrone activity. But in Southern Luzon condi-
uops are far from satisfactory. Life there is
not safe outside the garrisoned towns. Trav-
ellers are subject TO ambush By guerillas Rarely
does a day pass without an encounter between
the United States troops and the insurgents or
ladrones resulting in casualties There are
eighteen thousand troops in that district Gen
eral Bates commanding, and in three regiments
over one-third Of the men are sick. The ac
tiviry OF the enemy increased last month. There
is evidence that the insurgents have ccrne into
possession Of new rifles, and that they wish 10
annihlate some small American garrison for
the sake OF the political effect IN the United
States.
Conditions in the visayans continue virtually
unchanged. The lack Of troops in Samar pre-
vents aggression. Negroes, Romblon Masbate.
SihUyan, Tahlas and Bohol are tranquil. all de-
string civil governments. NIindanao is also
tranquil, excepting the districts Of Teagayan
and SurigaO. where occasional encounters with
the Filipincs occur. The enerny's fighting force
there is limited, but II has a number Of rifles
The surrenders although they have notably de-
creased since May. continue.
ISLAND COMMERCE GROWING.
The experience Of Northern Luzon shows that
the American occupation OF any locality tends
to it's paciacaton and well being An unset
tied American policy retards the investment OF
capital Nevertheless the imports for the last
quarter and a half were greater than during any
equal period Of the Spanish regime. No doubt
the needs OF the army Of occupation are re-
sponsible for very considerable fraction Of the
present commerce. The international revenue
collections are a third greater than those made
accounts TO a lack of favOrltisn and 10 impartial
enforcement Of the law. The military auGhOrl-
ties will turn over S6,000,Q00. Mexican, TO the
Commission, and this will probably be expended
in public improvements, notably IN haroor De
velopments the need Of which is to-day greatly
hampering the shipping industry.
The Commission will first organize nunicpa1-
ties IN the provinces. notably in Pampanga Prov
ince. Subsequently il will turn its attention 10
needed reforms in the civil and criminal codes.
passing in due time 70 other features Of its in
structions with the idea Of esta tablishing cen
traI civil government during the next eighteen
months
Twelve Americans including two captains
and TWO Iieutenants. have been killed during the
last two weeks. The official reports Of the en-
meagre