Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-09-03
THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION
Starts in Under Conditions Not Particularly
Pleasing or Promising.

Copyright 1900, The Associated Press
Manila. Sept. 1.-The FilipinoS seem
incapable OF realizing the scope and
purpose of the legislative functions Of
the commission of peace. There is no
possibility of separating the legislative
from the executive branch of the gov
Arnment, and therefore the commits
sion's announcement of its assumption
Of power. yesterday, has met with
childish comments at the hands Of the
Spaniards and foreigners who jealousy
sneer at the new arrangements, as
they are apt TO do at every beneficial
innovation on the part of the United
States authorities. The commission
enters upon the governmental field un
der the following conditions:
A majority OF the islanders desire
peace and the resumption OF business
under the Americans. but they are So
eswed by long series of murderous
atrocities and destruction of property
by their armed countrymen that they
dare not actively show their feelings
especially because experience has
taught them what such an expression
Of sentiment will bring upon them from
the mercilessly revengeful rebels.
A genuine reign Of terror is exercis
ed by insurgents and ladroneS over
peaceful country folk in order 10 col
leet the revenues and recruits their
operations require. and widespread
vengeance in the vicinity of garrison
ed towns. For example. the insurGent
General Cables. in the province of La
suina, put TO death the president and
Office holders of the town OF Bay on
Laguina De Bay. officials who had been
installed by the Americans, and gave
orders that similar fate should be
melted out to other adherents Of the
American cause. He also ordered tina
all Filipino soldiers who sold their
rifles to the Americans should be
killed.
Any change of policy involving III"
withdrawal of the United States troops
without substituting for them an ado
auate offensive force is certain to re-
salt IN fearful retaliation at the eX-
pense Of the frendlies. The approach
ing patriation Of the volunteers tends
to influence the situation unfaVorably.
In northern Luz1n the status quo i
fairly maintained and the people III
that quarter are quiet and engaged il
planting, except in the provinces Of
Nueva Ecija and Bulacan, where there
has been recent Outburst Of rebel ac-
tivity. But in southern Luzon condi-
tons are far from satisfactory. Lifn
there is not safe outside the garrSoned
towns. Travellers are subject to am
bush by suerlllas. Rarely does n day
pass without an encounter between the
United States troops and the insur-
gents or Ladrones. resulting in casual
ties. There are $4,000 troops in thai
district. Gen. Bates commanding, ana
in three regiments over a third OF the
men are sick. The activity of the en-
envy 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 garrison.
Conditions in the Nisayans continue
virtually unchanged.
The experience of northern LuzOn
shows that the American occupation of
any location tends to its paciflcation
and well being. An unsettled Ameri-
can policy retards the investment Of
capital. Nevertheless the imports for
the last quarter ond half were great
er than during any equal period Of the
Spanish regime. No doubt the needs
Of the army of occupation are respon-
gibe for 4 very considerable fraction
Of the present commerce. The inter-
aal revenue collection is a third greater
than that made by Spain This is due
TO an honest system Of accounts to A
Lack of favoritlsm and to impartial en-
forcement OF the law. The military
authorities will turn over $1,000. 600
Mexican to the commission and this
will probably be expended in public
improvements, notably in harbor de-
velopments.
The commission will first organize
municipalities in the provinces. Sub
sequenty il viii turn its attention to
needed reforms in the evils criminal
code passing in due time to other fea-
lures of the instructions. with the idea
Of establishing a central civil govern
pent during the next Is months
Twelve Americans including two cap
tains and two lieutenants have been
killed during the past two weeks.
These official representatives of the en-
counters in which these casualties Oc-
CURED are meagre.