The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-12-11
Secretary ROOTS
PHILIPPINE REPORT
Reviews the Work
Performed By the
Commission.
PROGRESS GREATER THlE EXPECTED
MORE TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS
AND REFORMED CURRENCY
NEEDED.
Legislation Advised Which Viii Fsei-
Iitste Enterprise and Industry
Such As Have Made the United
States Prosperous.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 29.-In his
annual report for the current year
lust issued from the Government
printing Office. Elihu Root, the Sec
rotary OF War. devOtes considerable
space and attention 10 the government
Of the Philippines. This report Is
accc nDanied by copies OF all the en-
actmeuts OF the Commission up TO
October 18th last. thus putting the
National Legislature in possession OF
the entire body Of legislative acts
under which civil government In the
Philippine islands is proceeding.
The Secretary OF War prefaces his
report on these euactments with a
brief account Of the growth and gener-
al character OF the present government
in the PHILIPPINES. He then reviews
the legislative power conferred upon
the Commission. touches on the Spoon
or amendment and then turns to the
conditions as they exist and the poll
cy now being pursued in the islands.
He says that conditions do not per
nit the abandonment Of the military
government in the archipelago. He
says:
In the more unsettled portions OF
the islands the restrictive and punitive
force OF purely civil administration
would as yet be quite inadequate TO
the maintenance OF order. even IL the
creation OF a civil service personnel
we're already accomplished. The work
Of securing the great number OF com
petent and faithful civil agents neces-
sary for the administration OF govern
ment is necessarily slow. even in
thoroughly pacifed territory. il re-
uuires that the appointing power
shOuld become familiar with great
numbers OF the natives. and should
learn both who. are competent and
who are TO be trusted-a necessarily
gradual process.
The policy contemplated in the
instructions Of April eth. the follow
ed by the War Department. has been
20 steadily press forward. as rapidly
as II could be done safely and thor
oughly. the gradual substitution OF
government through civil agents for
government through military agents.
so that the administration OF the mill
tary officer shall be continually mar
rowed. and that OF the civil officer
continually enlarged. until the time
comes when the Army can. without
imperiling The peace and order of the
country. be relegated TO the same re-
lauon toward government which it
occupies In the United States. In
this way we have avoided the prema-
ture abandonment Of any power neces-
sary to enforce the authority OF the
United States. and at the same time
time have held open to the people OF
every community the opportunity to
escape from the stringency OF mill
tary rule by uniting with us in effec.
tive measures TO bring about peaceful
conditions In the territory which they
inhabiG"
The report then proceeds to dis. !
euss the work OF the Commission in !
establishing municipal governments
IN 700 towns and provincial govern.
ments in SO Of the provinces OF the
archipelago. three OF which-Cehn
bohol and BStangas-proved TO De |
premature and were turned back 10
sse control OF the military officers.
Il then shows what has been accom-
plished in the matter OF establishing
a judicial system and organizing a
civil executive. According 60 SEIZED 1
ule attached 10 the report. Il appears /
that approximately 74.l52 square
mixes, or IS per cent II the estimated
zrea Of the islands. and 4.9Os.Ss7 PEG.
pie, or 20 per cent OF the estimated
population. are under civil administra.
ion. while the balance are under milf
airy administration. The organiza-
ion OF an insnlar constabulsry and 4.
police force is next dis.
'ussed. and Secretary Root expresses
he opinion that experiments with
'ome 5000 native policemen and 1000
native constabulary appear to justify
he conclusion that they may be
trusted with arms and win prove
constantly Increasing element of val
ne IN the maintenance OF order. 1
Considerable space Is devoted 10
the subject OF educstion and the War
Secretary calls attention 10 the great (
desire manifested bv the natives 10
earn hnghsh. and the need for more
teachers and schools. Agriculture.
forestry and public works the tariff /,
The urgent need for greater banking
facilities and a reformation OF the
are among the more impor-
amt OF the ether QUESTIONS discussed
Under the head Of Legislative re
lief" Secretary Root calls particular
attention 70 his former report upon
hat OF the Philippine Commission OF
November Soth last in which he ex.
pressed the opinion that the great +
agency TO bring Industrial activity and
prosperity and contentment 10 the
Stands must be. not a military COY
rnment, but the same kini OF indiv.
dual enterprise which has built up our
wn country. He adds.
Time has confirmed these views.
he statements then made are true.
ot only as 10 the limitations OF use
illness OF any military government