The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-26
Letter from Secretary Root SUPPLE
menting the Recommendation
of the Taft Commission.
SURPRISE AMONG SENATORS
WHO SAY NO LEGISLATION is POS
SIBLE BEFORE MARCH 4.
Speculation as to n Special Session
Leading Filfpinos Anxious for
Adoption Of Spooner Bill.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-The President
to-day transmitted to the Senate a report
Of the Secretary of War, inclosing the re-
port of the Taft Philippine commission. In
his message of transmittal the President
says the report includes not only the re-
ports of the commission, but its act of leg
islation and other important Information
relating to the conditions and immediate
wants of the Philippine Islands. Conclud-
ing. the President says: 'I earnestly rec
ommend legislation under which the gov
ernment of the islands may have authority
to assist in their peaceful industrial devel-
opment in the directions indicated by the
Secretary of War
The brief recommendation in the mes
sage caused general surprise among Sena-
tors, and occasioned speculation the
probability of an extra session of Congress
Immediately after March A. Senators gen.
orally say they have had no intimation
from the White House that a special ses-
sion of the entire Congress may be desira-
BILE, but they unite as one man in saying that
no Philippine legislation is possible during
the remaining five we,k-pOf the present ses-
power for the government of the Philippine
archipelago in the President is the only
Filipino general bill. 1t is believed that
whenever an earnest effort is made to Sc
cure legislation bearing upon this subject.
much time will be required. Some Senator'S
also express the opinion that legislation
may be necessary in connection with the
Cuban constitution, and while there are
differences of opinion as to this necessity,
ali agree that If such action should become
necessary it would be impossible to secure
it at this session.
SECRETARY ROOTS LETTER.
Secretary Roots letter of transmittal
submitted by the President. is dated Jan.
"a, addressed to the President, and is in
part as follows:
'I beg leave to supplement my annual re-
port of Nov. 80, 1900, by transmitting a re-
port made by the Philippine commission
on that date, but only recently received at
the War Department. AT the same time
wish to call attention to some conditions
existing in the Philippine Islands, which In
dIcates that the development of that coun-
try along the lines of peaceful Industrial
progress now requires the exercise of pow
ers of civil government not vested in this
department., or in you as military COM
mander, but requiring grant of authority
from the Congress. The commission gives
a gratifying account of the progress made
In the pacification of the country and the
gradual subsistence of guerrilla warfare.
Information received subsequent to the
date of the report confirms the favorable
anticipations of the commission. A per-
sCnal letter received by me from Judge
Taft. dated Dec. a. 1900. says:
Since writing you about three thousand
insurgents in Ilicos Norte have surrendered
and ten thousand persons who were not
well affected towards us in Panay have
taken the oath of allegiance. 1 have al
ready received two papers from native
priests, eighteen in number, and / am told
that there will be great many other pa
perS signed by great many promising
fidelity without mental reserve. The native
priests are those who have held out longest
in favor of the insurgents and against the
Americans and 1 deem this action as of
great Importance. The army Is hitting
small but hard knocks against the insur-
gents everywhere. Since the election there
has been a great falling off in the activity
of the insurgents in aggressiveness.
''On the I'd of January the commission,
as body, reinforced the views contained
in their report by the following dispatch
from Manila:
proper senators and representatives of
following: Passage of Spooner bill at pres
ent session greatly needed to secure best
result from Improving conditions. Until
ment can be established; no public fran
chises of any kind granted. and no SUBJ
stantial investment OF private capital in
internal improvements possible. All are
complete pacification. Strong peace
I.arty organized with defined purpose
of securing civil government under United
States and reasonably expect civil govern
ment and relief from inevitable but annoy
irg restraints of military rule long before
subject 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 a civil govern
ment with an army as auxiliary force than
ty continuance of complete military con-
troll. Power to make change should be put
In hands of President to act promptly
when time arrives to give Filipino people
All object lesson in advantages Of peace
Quasi-civil government under way; power
most restricted and unsatisfactory. Com
mission Is embarrassed in securing good
material for judicial and other service by
necessarily provisional character of mill
IRE Sale OF public lands and allowance of
mining claims impossible until Spooner bill
Hundreds of American miners on ground
awaiting law 20 perfect claims More conn
ing. Good element in pacification. Urgent
ly recommend amendment Spooner bill so
that its operation be not postponed until
complete suppression of all insurrection
hut only until. IN Presidents judgment
civil government may safely be established
Conditions rapidly improving TO point
where civil government. with aid of army
will be more efficient TO secure peace than
military control.
"A dispatch from Judge Taft. dated Jan.
9, 1901. says:
Conditions rapidly improving. Insur-
gent officers and privates are being cap
tured or surrendered daily in considerable
numbers in north and south Luzon. Same
conditions in Paney. where more than 35-
coo have taken oath OF allegiance. Insur-
gent forces completely scattered and leader
Delgado, negotiating for surrender. Work
in Samar slower because OF insurgent
bands long uncontested occupation on ac-
count OF swollen streams earlier in cam
paign. Campaign in Samar has driven
bands into Lyte. producing disturbance,
but information Is that conditions there are