The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-12-19
Embodies a Provision For a Per-
manent Civil Government and
important Industrial EegiSIa-
ton In the Philippines
FEDERAL PARTY HAS
SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE
Outside of the Provinces of Bat
angaS, Cebu, BohoI, Samar and
Mindoro There Is Peace in the
Archipelago and All InsurrectoS
Have Surrendered

Have Surrendered
Washington, Dec. 1S-Provision for
a permanent civil government and for
much important legislation regarding
the industrial development of the Phil
ippines is embodied in the annual re-
port of the Philippine Commission.
1t IS declared that the Federal party
spread like wildfre throughout the
archipelago and that there are few
towns in any OF the provinces which
have not their federal committees. The
members of the party were most ac-
! tive and effective in inducing insur-
gent leaders to surrender, 1t is de-
clared by the commission that Outside
of the five provinces named (Batan-
/ gas, Cebu, Bohol. Samar and Mindoro),
there is peace in the remainder of the
archipelago. All insurrectos have sur
/ rendered and in most of the provinces,
except among the Lake Maros, 1t is
entirely safe during the day for travel
ers unattended to go from one town to
another. In other provinces, recent
war conditions and suffering and hard
ship from cattle pest and locusts have
developed ladronism. The people are
| friendly to the civil government and
manifest no desire whatever for a con-
| tinuance of the war, but only desire
for peace and protection"
Taking up the question of the politi-
cal future of the Filipinos. it is declared
| that the theory upon which the com
mission Is proceeding is that the only
possible method of instructing the Fill
ipino people in methods of free insti-
buttons and elf-government is to
make a government partly OF Ameri-
cans and partly of Filipinos, with ulti-
mate control in American hands Tor
some time to come.
Less than 10 per cent Of the people
speak Spanish and the educated peo-
pie, under the influence of Spanish
teaching, have but q faint conception
Of real civil liberty and the mutual
self-restraint required for its mainte-
nance. The commission have already
however. established municipal suf-
frage in the pacif1ed parts of the ISL
ands and have limited the suffrage to
those who can read and write English
or Spanish or who own property OF
the value of $3.50, pay an annual tax of
SIS. or have been municipal officers.
Thus far only 1888 electors have
qualified under these provisions out Of
a population of 1896. sol in 800 NUM-
cipalities. showing only 1887 electors
! 10 per cent of the number which would
, qualify with similar population under
/ American law. The commission declare
that in fixing these qualifications they
| followed the recommendations of all
| the Fihpinos who were consulted, eX
cept that there were many who advo-
Gated a higher qualification. Many. Of
! the common people, the commission be-
| lieve. will be brought within these
| qualifications in one generation by the
/ widespread system Of education which
lis being inaugurated and the electorate
will thus be gradually enlarged. Mean
| time, it is proposed by practical les
sons to eliminate from the minds of
| the more intelligent part of the COM
munity those ideas of absolutism in
government which now control, and to
impress upon them division of powers
prevailing under the American system.
For the purpose of carrying out these
views, the commission outlines pro-
ject which, in brief, contemplates the
continuance for two years of the ex-
listing powers Of the commission.
Then a representative government is
to be formed composed of civil gov
ernor, a legislative council and a popu
lar assembly, the powers of the latter
being closely limited so as to prevent
it from choking the government in
making the budget in fits of passion or
through inexperience. The President
Of the United States would, of course,
reserve absolute veto power. The Fill
ipinos should also have the right to be
represented before congress and the
executive government in Washington
by two delegates
The commission propose to settle the
veXed question Of land titles by legis-
lation providing for the sale of
public lands upon the homestead prin-
ciple and the payment through a bond
issue the price of the lands now held
by the religious orders. A 80 per cent
reduction in the tariff on Philippine
imports into the United States would
it is said increase our trade by leaps
and bounds.
| Other recommendations are in sub
stance that the present system of tim
! Der cutting under license be continued,
! that mining and incorporation laws be
/ passed, that the commission be per-
mitted to confer charters upon rail
ways and to aid them by grants of
| lands or guaranteeing low interest
upon the investments (prObably the to-
4 tai obligation would not exceed
/ 81 $50 OO0), that laws be passed pro-
viding FOR coinage on the gold stand
I ard with local silver currency and for
a system of national banks and land
mortgage banks.
| A full account is given by the COM
mission of the organization of the sys-
| TEN Of education which has been going
/ on so vigorously under DR.. f. w. At
kinson, the general superintendent.
/ The English language is the basis of
all public instruction, and nearly 1000
( trained teachers from the United
( States already have been put to work
in the towns and cities of the pacif1ed
| provinces. Applications for teachers
have been received from many towns
where II has not yet been possible to
| send them. The greatest eagerness is
shown among the natives to obtain a
/ knowledge of English and a general
primary education.
In Manila secondary schools have
! been established, normal school is
engaged in the instruction Of Filipino
/ teachers and night schools are holding
! regular sessions with 1900 pupils.
Manual training schools and agricul-
tural colleges are a part of the project
which is being carried out for edu-
eating the people to better methods of
! labor and production. Recently in
struction in telegraphy has been be-
gun, with the aid of the signal depart
ment of the army and it is proposed
( to gradually transfer the telegraphic
/ service from the army to the civil gov
( eminent by provinces, as young Filipi-
nos become sufficiently competent to
act as operators. On the opening day
Of the normal school the number en-
rolled was $50, the number eventually
enrolled being over 500.
The basketball team Of Alethia So
ciety - tie Classical High School and
/ the girls of the South High School are
TO have a basketball game at Father