Evening star., 1901-07-26
The Prevailing Conditions in the
Philippine Islands.
GREAT PROGRESS MADE BY TROOPS
Immense Task Before the American
Authorities.
THE NATIVE FEDERAL PARTY

Conditions in the Philippine Islands. as
seen through British eyes, are pictured in
report of the British consul at Manila,
which has just reached the treasury bu-
reau of statistics. 1t says:
'The gigantic nature of the task before
the United States authorities in these
islands is probably not understood in the
united kingdom. The group has an area
Of 114,OOO square miles (about four-fifths
of that of the united kingdom). The islands
are very scattered, the extreme north and
south being about 1900 miles apart. They
are about 900 in number, though only
eleven are of any size or Importance.
1.-The population Is variously estimated at
from 100000 to 100000.
Natives Poorly Armed, Well Led.
''To reduce this huge tract of land and
water to subjection the Americans have at
the time of writing some 10000 troops ana
a small naval force. The smallness of the
latter and the lack of light draught YES
sells make it very hard to watch the coasts
Of the islands, and the natives, on being
driven from one are able to escape TO an
other and recommence operations. Ihe
natives are in great measure badly armed
and unskiled in the use of firearms, but
are sufficiently well led to avoid general
engagements, and confine themselves to at
tacks on the lines Of communication. AT
the same time they have system OF Sc
cret agents all over the archipelago who
manage in various ways to collect FUNDS
for their war chest, Manila itself, as recent
arrests have shown, being their pest huht-
"The confguration Of the islands is very
much in favor Of the guerrilla warfare
carried on by the natives. Steep, volcanic
ranges large swamps and forests. along
with deficiency Of roads, all tend to MAKE
the movement of troops and supplies dlni-
cult The climate, too, especially In the
rainy season, is trying.
Great Progress by Americans.
"In spite of the above difficulties the
progress. Posts have been established all
over the islands, from which the troops
make constant expeditions against any
considerable force of natives coming to-
gether in their neighborhood with the re-
suit of very large and constantly lncreas-
ing total Of killed and wounded on the ma
tive side at small cost to the American
forces Owing, however, to the fact tnat
the peaceful cultivator of one day can, py
digging up his weapons. become the trucu-
lent bandit of the next, travelling is not
encouraged. The deportation OF leaulahs las
rebels to Guam one of the Ladrone lslands,
and especially of the Manila contingent,
who. although not actually in arms were
directing and financing operations, mas hau
a very salutary effect, especlaliy as uepoa
property.
"a Federal party has been formed 10
propa gate pro-American opinions among
tbe natives, In which the native Judges
and other officials are taking a Leading
part. Native provincial governments are
in course Of organization in the more paci-
fed districts. Whether they will be sue
cess or not is problematical American
schools are being established all over the
islands. the staff of which are brought over
from the United States.
"Prices continue high, especially rent.
Few new houses have been built, and the
inf,ux of American officials and their fami-
lies still continues. The result OF TINS Is
that the most ordinary style OF house De,
comes an object Of keen competition ana
rents have been In many cases quadrupleu
in the past three years. The average rent
of a small house in the suburbs sutaple
for four or five persons Is now about tIO
500 per mensem.
."There are no openings for Europeans
here except with capital, the NUMBER OF
destitute and unemployed Europeans ana
Americans being constantly on the IN
crease There Is no difficulty In nlllng up
nosts Of any sort from the American vol
nnteers now being disbanded here In large
numbers. many of them being men OF su-
perior education.
British Interests In Manila.
"British interests in the Philippines are