The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-07
Natives Cooperating Freely with the
American Commission and
Military Authorities.
CIVIL GOVERNMENT POPULAR
NATIVES PLEASED AT OPPORTUNITY
OF PARTIAL SELF-RULE.
Insurgents Surprised by a Party of
Americans and Thirty-One Cap
tured-Alleged Corruption.

>
WASHINGTON, March 6.-Secretary Of
War Root has received the following ca
blegram from Judge Taft, president of the
Philippine Commission, dated Manila,
March 3:
ION the eve of the Presidents second
administration | wish to convey TO him as
surance that great progress has been made
toward peace. Since Jan. !, 1127 firearms
have been captured and 1865 surrendered.
Captures and surrenders both due TO CO.
operation of natives. Since November 5000
bolomen have surrendered in Ilocos, 1000 in
Albay and Camarines, and 10000 residents
Of Panay have taken the oath of allegi-
ance. Offensive attacks by insurgents are
now of rarest occurrence. Delgado. the in
surgent leader in Panay. with $50 men and
rifles and Angeles and Simon Techon, with
200. in Bulacan. have surrendered Lacuna,
Mascado, Pablo, Techon, Sandico and other
leaders have made overtures towards sur
render, but the condition-immunity from
prosecution for alleged completely in as
sassination-which was not conceded, has
delayed consummation.
1.-THE Federal party, an avowed and di-
rect outgrowth of the election, is spread
ing with wonderful rapidity in all parts Of
the archipelago, and is active and urgent
in advocacy of peace and in presenting ad-
vantage of civil liberty under American
sovereignty. 1t has assisted in securing
surrenders in Panay. The party's banquet
of 300, on the eve of Washington's birth
day. and the gathering of 1000 members of
the party on the Luneta to hear loyal,
most convincing of its power, purpose and
completely representative character.
1.-THE commission has, in the last three
weeks, organized five provincial govern
ments-Pampanga, Pangasinin, Tarlac,
Bulacan, Bataan-the last two are Tag
alog provinces. The commission ATTENDED
each provincial capital in body; met by
appointment presidents, councillors and
principal men of towns explained pro-
visions of the general provincial act ana
q special bill for each particular province,
and invited discussion by the natives pres
ent of both bills. Conventions thus held
were very satisfactory. The amendments
suggested were considered, a special biz,
enacted and appointments followed. Ex-
planation Of the purpose of the President
and people of the United States to secure
civil liberty was received with enthusiasm.
Anxiety for provincial government is
everywhere apparent and satisfaction with
the form adopted is manifest. Reception
from the people at large along the way
and in capitals was most encouraging. AT
Dagupan the commission met convention
of $50 delegates from thirty-four out OF
thirty-five towns. In others less delegates
were in attendance, but not less interested.
Enthusiastic meetings of the Federal party.
called by the president and directors of
the party, who accompanied us, were held
in every capital visited. In three large
provinces natives were appointed provi-
sional governors. In Bataan, on petition
OF eight out of nine towns, a volunteer Of
icer was appointed. In Tarlac the feeling
between loyal factions required the ap-
pointment of an American. Expression Of
loyalty by all natives in conventions was
emphatic and sincere.
I'm compliance with urgent native invita-
tions the commission will leave March IL
for the south to organize the provinces
Tayabas. Romblon, Iloilo, Capiz. Zamboan-
ga and such others as are ready. Returning
it will organize Zambales, Union. Cagayan
and Ilocos Norte. The military governor
tangas, Cavite, Laguna and Nueva Ecija,
but shall delay action as to these until re-
turn from northern and southern trips.
"Fragmentary cable dispatches detailing
small engagements which only the re-
suit of increased activity Of the army after
the close OF the wet season and efficient po-
Ecng. made possible by active native
cooperation, create wrong impression
in the mind OF people as to probable con-
tinuance of the war and as to conditions.
which have in fact never been so favor
able TO restoration of complete peace and
accomplishment of the declared purposes
OF the President"
A general order from General Macarthur.
issued by instructions from the War De-
partment and recommended by the Philip
pine commission, has fixed the ratio of
reduction for United States currency in the
Philippines during the first quarter of 1901,
at one dollar Omitted States) for two dol
lars insular currency.
Colonel Joseph p. Sanger. who has just
about wound up the compilation and pub
lcation OF the census plans of Cuba and
Porto Rico. is 10 go TO the Philippines. He
has been detailed as an inspector general
and will be assigned TO one of the depart
ments when he arrives there by General
Macarthur. During the Spansh-American
war Colonel Sanger held the commission
Of brigadier general of volunteers and
served in the Cuban campaign.