The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-11
Leading Natives Have Grown So
Treacherous Under Spanish Tute-
lage They Cannot BE Trusted.
FR1AR QUESTION A WORRY
FILIPINO FOLLOWERS OF BRYAN
ALSO MAKING TROUBLE.
200 Rebels Killed and $50 Captured
Last Week-Review of the
situation q Month Ago.

MANILA, June 1o.-Judge William H.
Taft and his colleagues of the Philippine
Civil Commission were beset during their
first week in Manila by multitude of call
ers of all nationalities, professions and in
terests. who presented bewidering assort-
ment of recommendations touching military
and civil policies. The commissioners main
tanned the attitude of unprejudiced list
eners.
They admit that, while they anticipated
an enormous task. the completely and diff
1culty of the problems and conditions are
well nigh staggering. They are deter
mined, however, with the cooperation of
the army, in pacifying as well as in fight
ing, to make the Philippines peaceful and
honestly governed country before depart
ing. They find General Macarthur admin
istering civil and military affairs in a way
that is universally popular
The Filipino party, embracing prominent
insurrectionists. who accepted American
rule through force of circumstances. is al
ready making overtures for the discussion
of a scheme of permanent government
practically reviving the old proposition of
autonomy under an American protectorate.
believed that Judge Taft would bring the
millennium in his vest pocket, and these
profess to be disappointed because sweep
ing changes are not made Immediately.
Judge Taft's utterances indicate concil-
iatory 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 insurrection,
believing that civil government will be i'm
possible until the rampant rebellion In the
southern districts of Luzon In the extreme
northern provinces of the island, and in
the Visayas, except Negros. is crushed.
One of the foremost questions is how
and from what material to organize civil
force with which gradually to ssupersede
the army. as a governing machine. SPANS
from consideration. American experience
with the natives discourage the hope of
honest government through them until
generation or more has eradicated the re-
suits of SPANS tutelage- A large proper
ton of the provincial officials already In
stalled have proven treacherous, while the
native police and officials here in Manila
are living on scale OF luxury Suspiclously
disproportionate to their salaries. Charges
against native judges of failing to account
for thousands of dollars received in fines
are under lnVeStigauon. Al present the
government alternatives are the army on
the one hand and anarchy on the other
General Otiss plan of municipal govern
ment is being inaugurated in the principal
towns Of central Luzon and in parts of
the Visayas. but the Filipinos persist in
thinking that the question whether the
United States will retain the Philippines
is still open and some local leaders ask
that municipal elections be postponed until
after the presidential election. Many peo-
pie object to taking the oath Of alleg-
lance 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 a 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 commission
ers are opposed to the reinstatement of
the frairs. Archbishop Chappelle has TAX
en- a strong stand in support of the re-
quest of the friars to be established in
their old position.
AS result of last weeks scouting more
than 200 Filipinos were killed and leo were
captured, while 40 rifles, with ammuni-
ton and stores. were secured The Amer
lean loss was nine killed, including cap
tain and a lieutenant, two captains and
twenty-one privates wounded, and one cap
tain taken prisoner by the Filipinos.