New-York tribune., 1901-06-09
CEBU NEEDS FIRM RULE.
CONDITIONS IN PROVINCE SHOW LACK
OF APPRECIATION OF AMER
ICAN IDEAS.

Cebu April 2O-The reactionary political condi-
tions in this island unequale6 by those iouhu
anywhere else in the Philippines Although adJa-
cent to islands inhabited by race and class Oh
people identical with its own. Cebu for the last
year has not only failed to go ahead DuI mas III
some respects retrograded. year ago one couiu
at least venture outside the meuopoiis oi 'ie
island with a fair chance of returning unharnleo
To-day the American who is rash enough to start
into the interior alone does with full knowledge
that II Is at the risk of his life.
The United States Philippine Commission came
to Cebu to organize the island into province
The commissioners knew that the situation was
backward but knowledge of the real state or az
fairs caused quite shock to that body encour-
aged as it had been by the signs of paciheatioh
everywhere else met with. What surprised them
most was the recognition by the military authori-
ties of numerous practically nsurrectionary town
governments This is justified by the military com
mander the district Colonel McClernand. OF
the 4fth Infantry, the ground that these SEMI
governments conducted under the surveillance
of the military detachments stationed in most OF
the towns According the testimony, however.
of \ number of the subordinate officers. neither
the amounts of municipal taxes collected, what
they are applied to- Eor any other detalls are re-
ported to the, A., Qst' coInrhanders.- 49, ~
Several of the towns have no local governments
but 1t appears that about all pay tribute to the
native politician leaders. Most of the latter are
considered favor the insurrection at heart and
some Of them openly so declare. Ruiz for IN
stance,
containing a population of 5000 has practically
absolute control of all these people. He makes no
detailed return of his doings TO the military au-
tkorities.
Things are in similar shape in Sibungo and Car
car northward of Aragao. containing each a popu-
laton of $500 Oslob and Origette. TO the south,
are much the same, indeed score OF
smaller pueblos. In the dozen cities and towns
organized under general military order regular
elections are held and matters kept more In
hand The pueblo of San Nicolas closely adjon-
ing the city of Cebu. has been controlled by more
or less notorious insurrecto sympathizers. one Of
whom, in the course of the commissions sessions
glibly told the commissioners how they had been
running affairs In their town. collecting taxes. etc.
but he could cite authority for acting
official except the non-nterference of the military
authorities. These facts were brought out in the
ing his town TO the city of Cebu. San Nicolas
was. however. promptly legslated into the Cebu
city limits President Taft remarking that the in
suTrecto population of San Nicolas could scarcely
expect at the present time any special considera-
ton from the representatives OF the United States
Government
The island of Cebu is so narrow that the sea
can be seen both sides from any high central
point II Is wholly free from any hiding places
formed by standing timber. and il has altogether
some 1900 troops of the 18th Volunteer and 18th
Regular Infantry, yet General Maxilon the chief
insurgeut leader. continues to operate with 200
rifles and scattering bolo men and mean
while the nsurrecto politicians manage TO profit by
keeping on the fence and surreptitiously encourag