The Washington times., 1901-09-03
WILL CONFER With ROOT.
General Macarthur Leaves Wash
ingtOn for New York.
To Discuss Conditions in the Philip
pines with the Secretary of War
To be rendered N Reception and
Bunouet ON Reaching Milwaukee.

Gen. Arthur Macarthur left Washing
ton yesterday afternoon for New York,
where he will hold conference with
Secretary Root regarding affairs in the
Philippines. He will then go to his home
in Milwaukee, where plans are being
made to tender him a reception and "a
banquet
He expects to remain there on waiting
orders for a time. 1t is thought that he
will not be assigned to active duty again
until after the retirement of Gen. III. c.
Merriam, when he will probably be plac-
ed ip command of the Department of Col
orado.
General Macarthur called at the Wal
Department yesterday and met number
of his brother officers, who. notwith-
standing the fact that yesterday was a
holiday, had come down to attend tC
routine matters. He made a formal re-
|, port of his presence in Washington tc
! Acting Adjutant General Ward.
Speaking on the subject OF maintaining
an army Of 1900 in the Philippines. Gen
eraA 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 correspondingly decreased.
while the present situation doubtless
demands the presence of 1900 men,
said General Macarthur. three months
from now | believe the number may be
decreased somewhat
Affairs in the Philippines are progress
sing very favorably, but great changes
cannot be wrought in a day. You must
understand that there are from seven to
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-
deavoring to plant in their stead Ameri-
can institutions.
THE Filfpinos are themselves helping us
very materially. They are anxious for
civil government, and we are desirous of
giving it to them. but time and patience
are required to get the new machinery
into motion and working smoothly. One
cannot get up steam in cold boiler In
simultaneously; neither is it possible to
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 Filipinos realize that as well
as we do. Next they are desirous of
learning English. There is not man,
woman. or child in the archipelago but
wants to learn to speak our tongue. That,
in itself, is a very favorable indication
The F'flipinos are learning the language
very rapidly and the Government is en-
couragiug them in doing so in every way
possible.
THE civil government under Governor
Taft, as the executive, was inaugurated
on the day | left Manila under very
imposing auspices. TIL people were all
anxious for the beginning of the civil re-
gime, and they take kindly to American
institutions.
"One thing we need very much to ce-
ment the relations between this country
and the Philippine Islands, continued
General Macarthur, lis a direct cable
from San Francisco to Manila owned by
the Government. 1t cannot be built too
soon. The demand for it is imperative
and constantly increasing. The cable tolls
are exorbitant. Special rates are made for
press dispatches, but the Government is
required to pay full rates. Communica-
tion by mail is most unsatisfactory for 1t
requires two months to send a letter and
receive a reply. yet, of course, the great
bulk of the correspondence has to be con-
Quoted in that way"