New-York tribune., 1900-05-24

already been pointed out in Luzon whence any
neoelhon must always derive It's lifehlood, all
are occupied by United States troops whose
scouting parties penetrate into the most
gluueu recesses within their jurisdictions, which
49, 49, are clearly defined. These garrisons are
generally commanded by comparatively young
aHo remarkably energetic and Jealous majors.
roIoihg lesser rank in the Regulars, who are
leaving nothing undone to perform with thor
oushness the specified task set them. That
TASK Includes the suppression of the guerilla
pahds, the discovery and seizure of Mauser and
remington rifles (of which some twenty thou
sahd are supposed to be still in caches or in the
hands OF guerias). the opening of schools and
S. une es'ahilshment of municipal governments on
ines which while safeguarding individual prop
gss 91ag rlsn-s and American sovereignty, place the
rlent OF local affairs under the control OF
me uoWnspeople. who will thus enjoy degree
OF independence never dreamed Of hitherto
The operations of the troops and the pacifica-
ton of the towns and of the barros embraced in
Their Jurisdictions Will go on regardless of the
wet season in authorization of which supplies to
iast while II prevails have been accumuat ted at
the various posts; the roads connecting which,
WIN their respective bases. have, moreover,
oeen placed In such state OF repair that heavy
ANS VIII not prevent their use The most
serious obstacle in the way OF paciication lies
IN the lack Of faith the soldiers have In the in
no ma nltants. and the inhabitants IN the soldiers
This distrust is certain to pass away when each
class becomes acquainted with the customs, the
aims and the standards of the other
BENEFITS OF AMERICAN OCCUPATION.
Prolonged contact of the troops with the peo
geous. The people Will be beneficiaries in many
ways-pecuniarily by the disbursements the
United States makes to the soldiers and for
military purposes; educationally by the schools
which starting UP all over the Islands,
and in which English will soon become the Ian
guage in which instruction is conveyed: pollti-
ca lly by the reconstruction of civil government
basis requiring the expenditure of local tax
levies for local purposes In a manner deter
minable by the taxpayers. On the other hdnd.
the work of the troops will be facilitated ana
their condition improved as they gain the conf
dence Of the well disposed natives These, when
they find the troops have come to stay Will re-
sist the exactions of the "insurrectos. term
now become a synonyme Of guerillas or ban
dts, whose haunts and plans they VIII assist
the military in ferreting out.
When a state of mutual understanding and
confidence shall he established. the days Of the
guerillas will be numbered Commanding Off
GERS will vie with each other in bringing about
peace good order contentnent and prosperity
in the communities confided to their charge
Should the hostile bands of contiguous town
ships concentrate, so will the troops OF those
townships concentrate under their regtmentaI or
district commanders, the battalions of regt-
ment being a rule grouped as TO be under
the control OF its colonel
At the present time troops are kept constant
" at work securing the country for guer1Ias.
simultaneously, in fact, in connection with these
excursions the country is being mapped by Off
GERS designated for the purpose. who also
required to take note Of and report on its re-
sources products and needs in the way Of pub
lie improvements
In minor matters there will. Of course, be set
backs. friction and disappointments These are
unavoidable. but they VIII hardly be or q cnaT-
acter 10 seriously impede the accomplishment OF
the object aimed at the pacifcatiOn OF the coun-
try under American sovereignty. Much dscre
ton must be allowed our colones and majors,
or local commanders: their instructions and
should continue be full and explicit. but they
ought to be rarely interfered with in the choice
of means for giving them effect.
FROM Personal OBSERVATION
The above remarks you may regard op
timstic in the light Of communications that
doubtless reach you the Department from
Manila. picturing the outlook in the Philippine
Islands as gloomy and discouraging. But they
are deduced not only from the comprehensive
view of the situation I had at headquarters but
also from personal and close observations in
four provinces in which the insurrection took its
origin. and whose inha btants. above the average
in point Of intelligence and thrift. have been
consistently hostile TO both Spanish and AmeT1-
can rule
On the whole, I have reached the conclusion
that II left TO themselves the Filipinos would
soon demonstrate their utter unftness for self
government and that their interests, well
as the interests Of the people with whom they
come in contact and with whom they must
necessarily maintain relations, VIII be best SUD-
served by the exercise of the powers of govern
indefinite period. This is the opinion of the
Chief Justice Of the Philippine Islands (Arel-
lanai, a Filipino by birth and man or prorouno
learning and universally conceded integrity,
who perhaps more deeply than any one living
has studied the character and is competent TO
mass Judgment on the condition and the needs
OF his countrynen- Yours faithfully,
THEODORE SCHWAN.
Brigadier-Cieneral of Volunteers.