Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-06-11

MANILA, June 10-Judge VIM. H.
Taft and his colleagues of the Philip
pine 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
policies. The commissioners main
tanned the attitude of unprecedented list
enerS.
They admit that, while they antici-
pated an enormous task, the complex
ity and difficulty of the problems and
conditions are well nigh staggering.
They are determined, however, with
the cooperation of the army in pacify-
ing as well as in fighting, to make the
Philippines peaceful and honestly
governed country before departing.
They find Gen. Macarthur admins
tering civil and military affairs in
way that is
II Universally Popular.
The Filipino party embracing prom
inent insurrectionists who accepted
American rule through force of circurl-
stances, is already making overtures
for the discussion of a scheme of per-
manent government practically reviv-
ing the old proposition of autonomy un-
der and American protectorate.
There are, of course, some Filipiuos
who believed that Judge Taft would
bring the millennium in his vest pock-
ct, and these profess to be disappolnt-
ed because sweeping changes are not
Immediately. Judge Taft's utterances
indicate conciliatory policy towards
the natives. He has conferred with
the high army officers, some OF whom
strongly urge that
A Larger Army is Necessary
TO suppress the Instruction, believing
that civil government will be impossi-
BILE until the rampant rebellion in the
southern districts of Luzon, in the en-
IRENE northern provinces of the is
land and in the Visayas, except Negroes,
is crushed.
One of the foremost questions is how
and from what materials to organize a
civil force which gradually to super
cede the army is a governing machine.
SPANS auxiliary, the church, is neces.,
sarily barred from consideration.
American experience with the natives
discourages the hope of honest govern
ment through them until a generation
or more of training shall have eradicat-
ed the results of SPANS tutelage. A
large proportion of the provincial Of
fcials already installed have proven
treachereus, while the native police and
officials here in Manila are living or a
scale of luxury suspiciously dispropor-
tionate to their salaries. Charges
against native judges of falling to
account for thousands of dollars receiv-
ed in fines are under investigation.
At present the
are army on the one hand and an
archy on the other. Gen. Otis plan Of
municipal government is being inaug-
urated in the principal towns of central
Luzon and in parts of the Visayas, but
the Filipinos persist in thinking shat
the question whether the United States
will retain the Philippines is still open
and some local leaders ask that NUM-
cipal elections be postponed until after
the Presidential election Many people
object to taking the oath of allegiance
to the United States government, which
is the first qualification for voting for
municipal candidates.
The commissioners also find that the
future state of the church in the Phil
ippines 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
reinstatement of the frairs Archbish-
op Chappelle has taken a strong stand
in supporting the request OF the friars
TO be established in their old position.
AS a result of last weeks scouting
more than 200 Filipinos were killed and
one hundred and sixty captured. while
lao rifles, with ammunition and stores
were secured.
The American loss was nine killed
including captain and a lieutenant;
two captains and q privates wounded
and one captain taken prisoner by the
Filipinos.
Arrrrxrrro.r