New-York tribune., 1901-06-16
AN ARMY STILL NEEDED
MAJOR-GENERAL BATES TALKS OF THE
PHILIPPINE SITUATION.
TROOPS SHOULD NOT BE WITHDRAWN TOO
RAPIDLY-NATIvEs HOPE FOR INDE-
PENDENCE-THE FRIARS-THE
SLAVERY QUESTION.
[BY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE. ]

SLAVERY QUESTION.
LBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUSE.I
Washington, June 15.-Major- General John C.
Bates, whose successful administration of the
southern Philippine provinces makes him an
expert questions of policy and government
in the Philippine Archipelago. talked freely this
afternoon about the situation in the islands as
he understands it. Among other things he said:
My own view is that it would be a mistake
/ to withdraw the American troops too rapidly,
for up the time l left the islands, which was
the latter part of April, it was not safe for an
American to go away from a garrison without
an escort. 1t is hoped that the condition Will
improve rapidly. but surrenders are not being
made quite SO rapidly as hoped when lett
there.
The civil commission was on an extended trip
at the time / left Manila, and the members We're
expected back in about ten days They were
busy engaged in forming the civil government
in various provinces, and were appointing Ger
tain civil officers while on that trip wherever
conditions were such that they thought it would
be advisable to inaugurate civil governmtnt.
AGUINALDO'S INFLUENCE WEAKENED.
General Bates was asked how Aguinaldo
regarded by the Filipinos. and he replied:
Aguinaldo had wonderful hold upon the
TaEals for a time but think his hold has been
more or less weakened by his role of a hermit
He stated that he had not left the place where
he was captured for more than seven months
There were very few of his own people who
knew where he was. and think he had very
little communication with his own people. The
insurgent troops in the field seemed TO look
much more to Lieutenant-General Mariana
Trias, and they frequently received cOmmunica-
tions from the junta in Hong Kong.
our troops in excellent condition. We
had no more sickness than one would naturally
expect from a tropical climate and L think no
more than would have if our troops were
stationed in the Gulf States mere.
1t is hard to estimate the number of arms the
insurgent troops now have. Considering that
they at one time had $4,000 modern rifles. we
have probably secured 10000 of them. Some OF
them must be worn out or nave become worm
less. They are also short of ammunition. We
have captured a good deal of ammunition that
they have manufactured, and it is n very poor
article-hopelessIy Inaccurate in firing. They
have used bullets that We're simply sheet lead
rolled up. They have formed shells by taking
strips OF tin and making spiral of it, and then
soldering il together. occasionally they nave
used matChheads for making a sort of powder,
and think they have made some black powder.
but do not think they have made any hlsh
power powder.
There IS a very strong desire among the Fill
pinOs for complete independence, even on the
part Of the more intelligent people, who VIII ad-
NIT that they not at present capable or SELF
government They wish To have the hope of in
dependence in the future That is, think, the
sentiment OF a large majority Of the people; they
wish at least that much The people are anxious
want To learn English. AsuinaldO himself,
understand is studying English. The children
anxious TO learn English, and their parents
wish them 10 do
When asked in regard to the friars, the gen
eral said the questions relating to them make
a very serious problem He added:
think the question Of their property will
probably so 10 the United states Supreme Court
before Il can be finally decided. There is frtc-
tion all the time the property owned by
the friars. In several instances l did not allow
the agents OF the large estates to collect rents
because Of the disturbance ii made In some
casAs what was the church property is owned
hRf nan ffeg md q 2
agent attempts 10 collect the rent about his
right 20 do so. OF course. my action was merely
believing such action was necessary for the
peace Of the community at that time.
PAYMENT FOR SLAVES FAVORED.
General Bates's attention called To
statement in The New American" OF May 3.
published in Manila. 70 the effect that Datto
Mand had ordered his slaves set free. Datto
Mandi Is the famous Moro cheftain OF Zamoo-
anga aud II was said that he had abolished
slavery within his district and ordered that no
slaves be bought sold henceforth ny any OF
his people. General Bates said:
had not expected any such favorable action.
though have the highest respect for Mandi IL
seems to me that is expecting almost too much;
ii seems TO me people ought TO he paid some
thing for these slaves. My agreement with
them in order 70 abolish slavery. was that a
small amount should be paid for the slaves. L
wanted To- fix an amount and they asked that il
idea was that the slaves might pay a small
amount. and supposed the United States Gov
ernment would foot that bill finally. Their mar
ket value was about $50 No census having
been taken il is impossible To tell how many
slaves there are. They hardly he regarded
as slaves. anyway, but that has been so gem
erallv discussed that il is well understood They
are mere rctaners. and very often voluntarily
SO. because they want the protection of a pow
erful datto.
IMPORTANT HELP TO AMERICANS.
Mand has been pronounced in his American
sympathies ever since l have known him. He
asked for an American flag at once and put il
up and in many places where it would incur
antagonsm, but he cared nothing for that. He
said he had always been faithful TO Spain while
Spain had control but when the control changed
he wanted TO be an American citizen. He offered
to bring his people to fight alongside Of our
soldiers, and said il was ready he would at
once go alone and attack the insurgents at Fam
boanga. l told him l not ready TO occupy
the island then. and he said: Il will do just
what you say" He did join with our troops
when Zamhoanga was taken. This action of
Mandi is very important, indeed. because he Is
the heir apparent the Sultan. He was NOM
mated by the Sultan of MindanaO. Rajah Muda
as his heir apparent.
TO CARRY TEACHERS To MANILA
Washington. June 15-Acting Quartermaster-Gen-
bad