The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-09-02
VIEWS OF GEN. MACARTHUR
He Discusses Civil Progress in the
Philippines.
Conditions Ripe for the Change Of
Government When He Left the Isl
auds-Th. Reelection OF the Army
Natives Eager to study English.


auds-Ths Reelection OF the Army.
Natives Eager to study English.
Gen Arthur Macarthur, formerly the
Commander-in-Chiefo of the United States
forces in the Philippines, who arrived in
Washington last night. called at the War
Department today and formally reported
to Colonel Ward, the Acting AdJutant
General General Macarthur also saw
several other army officers who were at
the department today
Colonel Sanger, the Acting Secretary of
War, was not there, and in consequence
h did not see him.
Speaking on the subject Of maintaining
an army of loeee in the Philippines. Gen
eral Macarthur said that for the present
that number Of soldiers was necessary.
but that as conditions become adjusted
to peace basis the force Of troops would
be correspondiugIy decreased
while the present situation doubtless
demands the presence of 1000 men,"
said General Macarthur, three months
from now 1 believe the number may be
decreased somewhat.
Affairs in the Philippines are progress
sing very favorabIy but great changes
cannot be wrought in a day You must
understand that there are from seven 20
ten million people in the islands from
whom the Spanish Institutions. under
which they have so long lived have all
been swept away and now we are en-
dcavoring to plant in their stead Ameri-
can institutions.
THE Fuipinos are themselves helping us
very materially. They are anxious for
civil government. and We are desirous Of
giving IL 20 them, but time and patience
are required 10 get the new machinery
into motion and working smoothly one
cannot get up steam IN "A cold boiler in
simultaneously. neither is it possible 70
place all the diversified functions Of civil
government under the conditions existing
In the islands into operation at once.
There are several points however. up
on which the people Of the islands are in
entire accord with us. The first IS the
question Of schools. They are essential
TO the development Of the islands and the
people The Fuipinos realize that as wei
as We do Next they are desirous Of
learning English There is not a man.
woman. or child in the archipelago but
wants 90 learn 70 speak our tongue That
in itself. is "a very favorable Indication.
The Fu'piuos are learning the language
very rapidly and the Government is en-
couragiug them in doing 50 in every way
possible
The civil government under Governor
Taft, as the executive, was inauEurated
on the day / left Manila under very
imposing auspices The people were all
anxious for the beginning OF the civil -e-
gime. and they take kindly 10 American
institutions
lone thing we need very much 20 ce-
ment the relations between this country
and the Philippine Islands" continued
General Macarthur, is direct cable
from San Francisco TO Manila owueI by
the Government il cannot be built too
soon. The demand f0r il is imperative
and constantly increasing. The cable tolls
are exOrbitaut- Special rates are made for
press dispatches. but the Government is
required TO pay full rates Communica-
ti0n by mail IS most unsatisfactory for II
requires two months 10 send a letter and
receive a reply. yet, of course, the great
bulk Of the correspondence has to be con-
Quoted i1 that way"
General Macarthur left for New York
this afternoon. where he viii have con
ference with Secretary Root From there
be viii return TO Milwaukee. where the
citizens are planning TO tender him a royal
reception He viii be placed on waiting
orders for time and VIII probably not be
assigned 10 active duty until the retire
meut of Gen. II. g. Merriam. when he
viii De put in command Of the Department
Of Colorado