The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1901-02-01
STATUS OF THE F|LP|NOS
Report of the Taft Commission Saws
the Situation Is Daily Becom-
ing Satisfactory.
PREDICTS THE WAR IS NEARLY OVER.
United States Was DishearteninG
to the characterization of the
People Desire Peace-Civil Govern
ment Recommended.

Washington, Jan: 26.-The secretary
of war has sent to congress a volum-
nous report from the Philippine COM
mission, covering its transactions up
to November 60 and containing much
matter of interest and Importance.
The report says:
People Are Ignorant.
THE people are ignorant, credulous and
childlike, and under any government the
electoral franchise must be limited be-
cause the large majority will not for a
long time be capable of intelligently ex-
ercising it. Few natives of the interior
have ever been beyond the boundaries
of the towns in which thy live. 1t is
only here and there in each community
that one can be found who speaks Span
ish. 1t is not remarkable that the
masses of the people are densely ig-
norant and credulous to degree that
can hardly be understood by Americans.
nor that they are easily imposed upon
and carried away by the most absurd
falsehoods as to our sinister purposes in
reference to them.
Desire Peace.
1.-THE great majority of the people de-
sire peace, and are entirely willing to ac-
cept a government under the supremacy
of the United Stats. They are however.
suppression of the instruction. With
out this, armed resistance to the United
States authority would have long ago
ceased. Anyone suspected of giving in
formation to the Americans concerning
the insurgents is Immediately marked for
assassination. It has effected the ter
rorism of the entire people. Notwith-
standing this, about 5000 insurgents in
Ilocos Norte have surrendered. and 10, 600
wards US in Panay have taken the oath
of allegiance"
Result of the Election.
Tho commission discusses at length the
effect of the recent election in\the United
Stats upon the inSurrection in the Phil
ippines, and says that "snce the result
was announced there has been decided
decrease in its activity. From now on
conditions In these islands will grow
steadily better, and. however formidable
the difficulties really are, the possibilities
that present themselves of improving the
condition of the people, in education,
wealth. comfort and in the knowledge of
how to govern themselves. cannot but
awaken the deepest enthusiasm on the
part of every friend of civilization ia
miliar with the actual conditions.
The Liquor Traffic.
ION November last the number of
liquor licenses had been reduced to 10S.
of which II were granted to hotels of
the first-class, seven to hotels of the
second-class, Al for the sale of wine and
beer only and 43 for all liquors. This is
a reduction from 224 to 10S during the
year, and included all saloons, hotels and
restaurants selling liquor in Manila on
November 80 last. At the same time the
number of shops selling native wines has
ben reduced from 1900 at the time of
the American occupation to 4OS on the
2Sth of November last. Prostitution is
not licensed, regulated or recognized in
any manner, direct or indirect, by the
government and never has BEEN"
In conclusion the commission urges the
passage of the Spooner bill so that the
islands can be given civil government.