Evening journal., 1901-01-26
EXTRA SESSION
Is PROBABLE
President Urges Action On
Philippine Question
SENATOR'S SAY II Is IMPOSSIBLE
To Consider Such LEGISLATION in The
Remaining Five Weeks Of The
Present Session
SENATOR'S SAY IT'S IMPOSSIBLE

report of the secretary OF war enclOalhb
the report OF the Taft Philippine COM
mission IN his message OF transmit
tai the president says that the report
includes not only the reports of the
commission, but it's acts OF legislation
"and other important information re-
lating to the conditions and immediate
wants Of the Philippine Islands" Con-
cludlng the president says:
81 earnestly recommend legislation
under which the government of the
Islands may have authority to assist
in their peaceful industrial develop
ment in the directions indicated by the
secretary OF war.
The brief recommendation of the
president urging immediate legislation
in the interest of the F1lipinos caused
general surprise among senators, and
occasioned speculation upon the prob
ability of an extra session Immediately
after March 4. Senators generally say
thoy have had no intimation from the
White House that q special session OF
the entire congress may be desirable,
but they unite as one man in saying
that no Philippines legislation is possi-
bic during the remaining five weeks Of
the present session.
Some senators also express the opin-
Ion that legislation may be necessary
in connection with the Cuban consti-
tuition. and while there are differences
OF opinion as to this. necessity. all
agree that if such action should be-
come necessary it.wOuld. be impossible
TO secure it at this session.
In Secretary Roots letter Of trans
initial to the president he says:
II wish to call attention TO some
conditions existing in the Philippine
Islands which indicate that the devel-
opment of that country along the lines
Of peaceful industrial progress now re-
quires the exercise Of powers Of civil
government not vested IN this depart
ment, or in you az military commander,
but requiring a grant of authority from
the congress.
THE commission gives a gratifying
account Of the progress made in the
pacihcation of the country and the
gradual subsidenceof guerrilla warfare.
Information received subsequent TO the
date of the report confirms the favora-
bic antlcipatiOns of the commission.
"On Jan 2 tho commission, as body,
re-onforced the views contained in
their report by The following dispatch
from Manila
"'lf you approve, ask transmission
10 proper senator's and representatives
OF following. Passage OF SpOOner bill
at present session greatly needed TO se-
sure best result from improving condi-
tions. Until its passage no purely cen-
trail civil government can be establish
ed, no public franchise of any kind
granted, and no substantial investment
OF private capital In internal improve
ments possible. All are needed as most
important step In complete pacifcation.
Strong peace party organized, with de-
fined purpose of securing civil govern
ment under United States. and reason
ably expect civil government and relief
from inevitable but annoying restraints
of military rule long before subject can
be taken up by new congress-
The report shows that the islands
are estimated to coliuin ABOUT $4,000,
600 acres OF land, of which less than
100000 are held in private owner
ship. More permanent laws than the
military government can supply are
needed.
The section OF the report on the
| liquor traffic In Manila indicates that
| the powers Of the commission are am
pie TO deal witch that subject. and that
| the success which they have attained
will compare faynrnhly with the result.
in this country. Nanv false and mis-
I leading statemen have hrgn made re-
garding the use of intoxicating liquors
in Manila. The fact is that this TRAIN,
/ Us more rigidly and effectively regu.
lated and kept within bounds in The
/ city of Manila than in any city Of sim.
| liar or greater size ia the United States
/ The commissioners report adds:
ANY statement OF the conditions
/ prevailing in the islands during tho
/ last six months which ignores the eli.
| iect OF the American election as q con.
trolling element in the situation Is nee
/ essarily inadequate. Since the result
was announced there has been a greai
/ decrease in insurgent activity. The
intensest interest was felt by the I'm.
surgents before the election in the is
sue, and the intensest disappointment
since, which will certainly effect tn,
collapse OF the insurrection in the neal
future. From now on conditions II
these islands will grow steadily bet
ter"
One Of the longest chapters in IN,
report, and one Of the most absorbin,
interest, concerns the friars in mi
Philippines. The commission handle,
this subject in the greatest detail. an,
with the utmost freedom. 20 gives thl
/ history Of the expulsion of those friar
from their places hy the rebels an,
declares that tho burning question
agitating the Filininos is whether the,
shall be permitted 10 return immor
ality on the part of the friars. it +
held. was not tho principal ground 70
the hostility towards them of the peo
pic Tho commission says:
1T did not shock tho common pconl
or arouse their indignation TO see thei
curate establish Illicit relations will
a woman and have children by her
| The woman did not lose caste on tina
account, but often prided herself on tn
| relation 10 the chief authority in fh