Evening star., 1901-07-30
CONDITIONS IN PHILIPPINES.
British COnsuls' Reports on America'
Progress I'm the East.


From the London News.
A crisp, short report for 1900 by the Brit
ish consuls at the Philippine Islands sup
plies some information Of much interest
to US, who are also waging war on a stub
born people. These consuls, located in Lu-
zon, Panay and Cebu Islands, respectively,
afford us a tolerably complete view of at
fairs in these islands. which are scattered
about 2,O0O miles apart from north to
south, 600 in number with an area of 114,
coo square miles (about four-fifths Of the
united kingdom) and a population OF from
5000, 600 to 1O,OOOOO Here, during 1900
some $4,000 American troops and small
but quite inadequate, naval force have
been operating, vafnly endeavoring to pacify
the conquered territories, though It is the
opinion that matters have improved slight
ly. The islands are well suited for guer-
rilla warfare. Steep, volcanic ranges
large swamps and forests, deficiency OF
roads and climate which is very trying
in the rainy season are some Of the CHIEF
conditions favoring irregular warfare.
The small naval force cannot watch the
coasts efficiently, and as natives are driv-
en- from one island they escape to another
they lay in walt to attack lines Of commu-
nications. Secret agents are at work over
the whole archipelago collecting funds for
their war chest, Manila itself being the best
prove Posts have now been established by
the United States army authorities all over
the islands, and from them troops make
constant expeditions to prevent aggregaz
tions Of hostile natives. However the diff
fculty arises from the fact that the peace
full cultivator Of today may be digging up
his weapons tomorrow, to resume his ban
dit lift, with the inevitable result that ii
Is not safe to travel.
Improvement is confidently expected
now that the Manila insurgents, especially
those who were financing the natives, have
been deported to Guam, one Of the La
drone Islands. The fighting natives are in
the mountains, though they have been
cleared from the routes to and in towns.
That is the short account of the state of
hostilities in the Philippines.
Many Of the towns, such as 1loilo. Jaro
and Molo have now a municipal council
of Filipinos, with mayor, to manage in
ternal affairs; but all under the veto Of
the resident provost marshal OF the United
is policed night and day by native police
under a European chief. Manila, the cap
ital Of Luzon and Of the group. has q
white police force, organized from the dis
local native force policing the country dis
tricts adjacent. This is not an unqualified
success, as the members are largely en-
ployed in arresting one another for black
mailing and similar" feats
The authorities are founding American
schools all over the islands, with an i'm
ported staf. OF which the curriculum SO
far Is chiefly the English language and the
history Of the United States. This and the
advent OF many other officials is causing
great increase In house rent, for houses
are not g-capitalists are SO far
fighting shy, and there fs some doubt with
regard to title for sites. It Is reported that
good work has been done at Manila and
elsewhere by the sanitary authorities, but
1t Is clear that very much remains to be
DONE as smallpox and dysentery are very
prevalent though moderating, and rinder-
pest among cattle and gfanders among
horses are common.
The report Is a significant one in regard
to commerce. Trade and peace are twin
sisters all the world over. The war is
over In the Philippines, but prosperity
takes very short steps in the return Jour-
ney. Many are The lines of steamers and
ships calling at Manila and other ports
from Singapore. Saigon. Annoy. Japan,
Spain, Liverpool, New York and San Fran
cisco. And 1t Is OF interest to us today to
observe that the coal required Is imported
from Moji. In Japan. from Newcastle. New
South Wales. The British interest In Phil
ippine trade is much larger than is SUI
posed generally.
The three chief banks and twenty chief
firms Of Manila are British They repre-
sent the largest import and export houses
and engineering works, and are added to by
the shipWrightst stevedores. &c, The only