New-York tribune., 1901-08-19
GEN. MACARTHUR RETURNS.
SAYS CONDITIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES
ARE SATISFACTORY-TO PROCEED
TO WASHINGTON FROM SAN
FRANCISCO.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuxE.l

Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
San Francisco. Aug. 1S.-Major-General Mac
Arthur. after an absence of three years and two
months arrived to-day from the Philippines on
the transport Sheridan. General Macarthur
differs little in appearance from what he was
when last here excepting that he has lost some
flesh. He boasts that he has not lost single
dag through illness since he went to Manila He
was warmly received by General Young and
otl or prominent officers here, and he will leave
this city for Washington as soon as he hears
from the President. General Macarthur
pressed great satisfaction over the outlook in
the Philippines. He said:
a very satisfactory condition exists in the
Islands. 1t is not perfect, but ii is such as 10
he gratifying to both army and civil officers.
The tnsu1reCtiOn is almost entirely eXtinguished.
y few groups of armed insurgents are still at
large and give some trouble. but they will un-
doubtedly surrender within short time. The
campaigning IS practically confined to scouting
ana occasional movements in force against
some large party. These movements generally
result in the surrender of the natives with their
rifles and it has the effect of bringing in other
natives who through fear have kept away. The
natives have now learned that to surrender does
not mean death, torture and other punishment.
but the securing of larger liberty. freedom and
protection.
The civil administration was inducted into
office on July t with impressive ceremonies. An
immense gathering of natives was present. and
they seemed to appreciate the change. l no
reason why the government under the Civil
ne ChdAsG was Weicohe one 10 army oHlClSilS'
TO whom the civil task hard and tedious.
though no one shirked duty. The two depart
ments are well set apart The conditions
in the provinces much improved. There is
great deal of freedom in movements throughout
Northern LuZOn. where the insurrectiOn has
been dead for some time. We have had
trouble at that end for long that it has
ceased to worry us | cannot say that il is
entirely safe for individuals as vet for there is
a large criminal class among the natives which
wanders about committing depredations on all
parties, American or native. The latter suffer
the most from these marauders
They are the result of several wars in which
no government existed and men were allowed
exercise their criminal passions without re-
straint. 1t could not have been otherwise. But
these criminals are not insurgents, and have
no connection with them. The inSurgent lead
rather repudiate the actions of these people.
II is a question of Importance. but is being
satisfactorily worked out and solved by the
natives themselves. They eagerly seek the
tablishment of civil governments. that they may
take measures against these criminals. The
native COnStables doing the work of dis
persing them. There is every reason TO suppose
that within a short time the whole archipelago
will be safe TO travellers. Many parts are safer
to-day than they have ever been before.
The whole country has been torn and wrecked
by The last vestige of authority lost.
and the people relapsed into a condition border
ing on barbarism. The best conditions now exist
in the provinces Of Northern Luzon. The whole
territory is paCified, but not tranquilhzed 1t is
a good deal like ocean after storm-the
worst is over, but the surface is still swelling
and heavy.
Al present there Is sun some trouble IN SdITr,
but General Hughes. with a large and effective
force, has gone after them, and will soon bring
the insurgents TO their senses. That is the worst
place. but il is interfering with the coast
business. In Ccbu and BOahl, and occasionally
in Southern Luzon there is a slight outbreak
hut II Is the result ~ the criminal element The
civil commission about to put in force some
very excellent ideas for the municipal govern
ment Of the city of Manila when l left it, The
city Is in excellent condition. especially in its
sanitary department and the growth in the
business and Importance of the port is enormous.