The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-26
Gratifying Account Given of Paciica-
tion of Islands.
sPO0NER BILL RECOMMENDED.
It's Passage at Present Session Is
Greatly Needed Says the Commits
sion TO Secure Best Result for
improyin. Conditions.
Secretary Root Conn
mends Report.
(By Associated Fress.)

(By Associated Press}
WASHINGTON. Jan. 25.-The Presi-
dent to-day transmitted to the Senate a
report OF the Secretary of War, inciosins
the report of the Taft Commission Ph.l-
ippine). The President says:
u earnestly recommend legislation un-
der which the Government Of the Islands
may have authority to assist in their
peaceful Industrial development in the
directions indicated by the Secretary OF
War
The report is dated November seth.
Secretary Root, in his letter of transmit
tai calls attention to conditions requiring
Congressional action. He says:
The commission gives a gratifying
account of the progress made in the paci-
fcation of the country and the gradual
subsidence OF guerilla warfare. 1nforma-
ton received subsequent to the date of
the report confirms the favorable anuci-
pations of the commission. a personal
letter received by me from Judge Taft.
dated December 1dth, 1900, says:
SWEAR ALLEGIANCE
. Since writing you about 5000 insur-
gents in IiioIo Norte have surrendered.
and ten thousand persons, who We're not
we'll affected towards us in Fanay, have
taken the oath of allegiance l have al
ready received TWO papers from native
priests, eighteen in number, and l am
told that there viii be a great many
other papers signed by u great many
more native priests, rendering their al
lcSiance to the United States and prom
Using fidelity without mental reserve
The native priests are those who have
held out longest in favor OF The insurgents
and against the Americans, and l deem
this action as of great Importance The
army is hitting small, but hard knocks
against the insurgents everywhere Since
the election there has been falling OF iii
the activity of the insurgents in aggrcs-
siveness. and their sole activity has bean
displayed in avoiding The fights which
small detachments OF our troops have
brought about
.-On the I'd of January the commission
as Il body reinforced the views contained
IN their report by the following dispatch
from Nanila:
W.sNr sPooNER BIIL.
Root. Secretary of War, Washing
toni you approve, ask TRANSMISSION 10
proper Senator'S and Representatives of
following: Passage OF sliponer bill at
present session greatly needed 10 aecure
best result 1or improving conditions. On
ment can be established; no pubic fran
,.li4scs of any kind and 10 substantial in
SeStment of private capita. II internal
Improvements possible. All are needed
as most important step in complete pacifi-
cation. Strong Federal party organized
with definittsd purpose OF securing CIVIL
government under United States and
reasonably expect civil government and
relief for inevitable. but annoying re-
,,,iffts,t.IT lnDr- Sub
icat can be taken up by new Congress
Time near at hand in our opinion when
disturbances existing can better be sup
pressed by native police OF u civil gov
ernment with army auxiliary force
than by continuance of complete military
control. Power TO make change should
DC nut in hands of President TO act
promptly when time arrives to give
Filipino people an object lesson in adj
,antaces of peace. tluasb-CsVil Govern
lnent under way-powe:' most restricted
and unsatisfactory. Hundreds of Ameri-
can miners on ground awaiting law to
perfect claims More coming. Good eie-
me,lt in pacilication. Urgently recon-
mend amendment Spooner bill so that its
operation be not postponed until com
plete suppression of all insurrection. but
only until Presidents Judgment L3Eii Cyl
Government may be safely established:
conditions rapidly improving 10 point
where a Civil Government with aid of
army. Viii be more efficient 10 secure
peace than military control.
tSigned.) COMMISSION
CONDITIONS IMPROVING.
"a dispatch from Judge Taft dated
January 9Th. 1901, says:
CONDITIONS rapidly improving Rifles,
officers and priyates, are being captured
or surrendered daily in considerable num-
bcrs in North and South luZon. Same
conditions in Panay. where more than
thirty-five Thousand have taken the oath
of allegiance. Insurgent forces COM
pletely scattered, and leader Deigado
nesotiating for surrender. Work in
Samar slower because OF insurgent bands
long uncontested occupation of interior
and swor.ci streams early in calnpa gn.
Campaign in SaInar has driven bands
into Leyte, producing disturbance. but
information Is that conditions there are
favorable. Federal party for peace: t;i-
rect result of election. NTell organized
and rapidly increasing in Manila; prepar-
ing TO extend organization to many PROV
inces on pressing and numerous invita-
Iiens from leading citizens
PUBLIC LANDS.
The report shows that the islands are
estimated 20 contain about 3,q9D.N09 acres
of land, of which less than 5.0ao.090 are
held in private ownership. leaving in pub
lie lands over 6S.G03.0eo acres. The army
has brought The Philippines to the
no!nt where they offer a ready and attraC-
tive field for investment and enterprise;
hut to make this possible there must be
mining laws. homestead and land laws,
transportation laws, banking aud
laws.
Continuing. Secretary Root SAYS the
powers are ample to deal
with the liauor traffic which he says is
moro ngidly and effectively regulated
and kent within bounds III Manila than
In any city of similar size n the United
States. A strictly ifiSl, license IS en-
forced. under which the native saloons
or wine shops have been reduced from