Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-12-26
CIVILIZING NATIVES.
Philippine Commission Reports on
Its Work In the Islands.
TIE FEDERAL PARTY VERY POPULAR.


Washington, Dec. 19.--provision for
a permanent civil government and for
much important legislation regarding
the industrial development of the
Philippines is embodied in the annual
report of the Philippine commission.
1t is declared that the federal party
Is spreading like wildfre throughout
the archipelago and that there are
few towns in any OF the provinces
which have not their federal commit
tees. The members OF the party were
most active and effective in inducing
insurgent leaders to surrender. 1t is
declared by the commission that:
"Outside of the five provinces named
(Batangas, Cebu, Bohol, Samar and
Mindoro) there is peace in the re-
malnder of the archipelago. All in
surrectos have surrendered and in
most of the provinces, except among
the Lake Moros, it is entirely safe
during the day for travellers unat-
tended to go from one town to an
other. In the other provinces recent
war conditions and suffering and
hardship from cattle pest and locusts
have developed ladronism. The peo-
Pile are friendly to the civil govern
mcnt and manifest no desire whatever
for continuance of the war, but
only desire for peace and protec-
ton
Taking up the question of the po-
Utica future of the F'ilpinos, it is
declared that the theory upon which
the commission is proceeding is that
the only possible method of instruct
ing the Filipino people in methods
Of free institutions and sclf-govern-
ment is to make government partly
Of Americans and partly of FiIipinos,
with ultimate control in American
hands for some time to come. The
has already, however, es-
IabIished municipal suffrage in the
pacihed parts OF the islands and have
limited the suffrage to those who can
read and write English or Spanish,
,r who own property of the value Of
ESQ, pay an annual tax Of Slj or have
oeen municipal officers.
A full account is given by the COM
mission Of the organization Of the
system Of education, which has been
yoing on so vigorously under DR.. +.
". Atkinson, the general superintend-
nj. The English language is the
'asis OF all public instruction., and
nearly 1000 trained teachers from
he United States already have been ,
mi to work In the towns and cities
If the paciiled provinces. Applica-
ions for teachers have been received
''h' HiuuN INV us NH'Tf is Has UUI
ct been possible TO send them. The
'reatcsl eagerncss is shown among
he natives to obtain knowledge of
English and Il general primary edu-
alton. In Manila secondary schools
ave been established Il normal
chool is engaged in the instruction
I Filipino teachers and night schools
re holding regular sessions with
500 pupils. Manual training schools
nd agricultural collcgs are Il part
the project which is being carried
Ut for educating the people to bet
N methods of labor and production.
ccenily instruction in telegraphy
as been begun with the aid of the !
gnnl department Of the army, and
is proposed to gradually transfer
he telegraph service from the army
, the civil government by provinces
, young Filpinos become sufficiently
to act as operators.