The Washington weekly post., 1900-09-04
Filipinos RepOse No Conf
denee i'm Taft Commission.
PRESENT CONDITIONS IS ISLANDS
fn.srsent Activity In Luzsa sH the Is-
crease, While the sisHafisa Elsewhere
~hsw. No ChaRge-PFs-Eeetise NIth-
drzwai Of FsiHnieers Havinx a Bad ps-
wsFk Hsppez 0ss By the Commission.
tcsryfishs. 10, b tie Assoesatsa Prsss-l

tIefynsAt. lS8, b. tEs Associated Prssz9
Manila. sept 2-Tbe Fllipines seem in-
capable of realizing the scope and pur-
pose Of the legislative functions OF the
commission Of peace. There is no pessi-
blIiiy of separating the legislative from
the executive branches OF the government.
and, theFefoFe. the commissions announce
merit OF its assumption Of power yestsr-
day has met with childish comment az
the hands Of the spanisrds and foreigner,
who jealousy snesr az the new arrange
ment as they are apt 10 DO at every neE-
eheisI innovation on the part OF the init
ed States authorities.
The commission enters upon the govern
mental field under the following eoaAI-
tions: \ majority Of the islanders desire
peace and the resumption Of business ur-
der the Americans. but they aIe so eowed
by long series OF murderons atrocities
and destruction Of property by their arm
ed countrymen that they dare not actively
show their feelings, especially because ex-
perience has taught them what sueh an ex-
preston of sentiment viii bring upon them
from the mercilessly revengeful rebels A
genuine reign OF terror Is exercised by
insurgents and ladrones over peaceful
country folk in order 10 collect the rsve-
nue. and recruits their operations require
and widespread vengeance is Wreaksd in
the vicinity OF garrisOned towns.
Massacre OF Native Oaieiais.
For example the lnsurgent Ger. Cellles
In the province Of Laguna. put 10 death
the presidente and ofiice-holders OF the
town Of Bay. on Laguna de Bay, officials
who had been Installed by the Americans.
and gave orders that similar fate should
be meted out 10 other adherents OF the
American cause He also ordered that all
Filipino soldiers who sold their rifles TO
the Americans 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 sit
ustion unfayOrably.
In Northern Luzon the status quo is
fairly well maintained and the people In
that quarter are quiet and engaged in
planting, except in the provinces Of Nusva
Eeija and Rulaean. where there has been
a recent outbuTst Of rebel and ladrone
activity. But in Southern Luzon condi-
tions are far from satisfactory. Life
there is not safe outside the garrisoned
towns. Travellers are subject 10 ambush
by guerrillas. Rarely does a day Dass
without an encounter between the United
States troops .ala the insurgents or la
drones, resulting ia casualties. There are
1900 troops in that district, Gen. Bates
commanding, and in three regiments over
a third of the men are sick The activity
Of the enemy Increased last month. There
is evidence that the insurgents have come
into possession of new rifles and that they
wish 10 annihilate some small American
garrison.