Evening star., 1901-05-11
TO PROTECT NATIVES
Organization of Police Force in the
Philippines.
REC0MMENDATIONSOF GEN. M ARTHUR
Developing theSystem With Earn
estness and Zeal.
RESULTS ARE GRATIFYING

The division of insular affairs War De-
partment, is in receipt of reports and sta
tistics from the Philippines by which in
formation of general interest in relation
to the organization Of police departments
in the islands Is transmitted.
With the gradual downfall of the insur-
rection two powerful arguments in favor
of loyalty to the United States and a re-
turn to peaceful avocatonS We're presented
to the inhabitants of that country, in the
interest taken by the military governor
and his subordinateS, seconded by the
hearty cooperation of the Philippine COM
mission, in that they followed Immediately
in the wake of conquest with the forces of
education and the enforcement Of law and
order.
The fact that the islands had been under
a system of military control for so many
years under Spanish rule rendered it wise
to substitute a civil form of police system
for the active military early safety
and prudence would permit.
The first step in this direction was an
order by Gen. Macarthur made in June
1900, wherein he directed: In order to en-
courage among the people the idea of self
protection against robbers and rowing
bands of criminals, with which the coun-
try abOundS, department commanders are
authorized to arm the local police in towns
where such action would, in their judB-
ment, be prudent and expedient. For this
purpose acquisitions may be submitted to
the division headquarters for caliber 40
Colts revOlvers and an adequate supply of
ammunition. This arm will be replaced al
an early date by more suitable weapon"
Increasing Pay of Police.
Poverty was the next element to be con-
tended with in the development Of local
police system. Outside of Manila the mu-
inequalities are, and a rule will be for
some time, unable to adequately pay their
local police To overcome that condition
and at the same time encourage loyalty
and fidelity Gen. Macarthur, November D.
addressed a communication to the commits
sion detailing his plans for the organiza-
tion of the force and requesting that there
be placed at his disposal the sum Of $780,
600 for the purpose, among others, or
adding to the monthly pay of police, from
insular funds, who should be recommended
by their superiorS conspicuous for their
devotion to duty. He argued that If such
could be done it would encourage all ap-
pointees to strive for the additional COM
pensation, and thereby the efficiency Of
the force would be increased The COM
mission acceded to his wishes and made
the appropriation
District officers, on the grL und, felt the
necessity Of exercising great caution in in
trusting arms to untried men. They rec
ognized the virtue Of the advantages pro-
an early return to civil conditions, but the
unrest occasioned by the political situation
in the United States, growing out of re-
ports circulated here of a possibility of a
change OF policy as the result of the cleo
tion, led them to a very conservative course
Of action. In some localities the conditions
warranted the immediate arming of the
local police. In others the sentiment Of the
towns was so nearly evenly divided that
commanding officers withheld all issue Of
arms until they became fully assured of
the loyalty OF those to be intrusted with
them. In many cases town officials had
been acting as agents Of both parties
When in the presence of United States Of
fcers they were loyal When insurgents
came they were afforded assistance and
comfort.
Police Organization Extended.
Later conditions changed rapidly. BY Feb
ruary, 1901. very decided revolution in
sentiment was apparent. Localities where
but few loyal persons could be found soon
became conspicuous as desiring to embrace
the opportunities offered for good govern
ment, and the time appeared to be propi-
tious for reconstruction. AS result the
commission. in February, enacted general
law for "the organization of muncipal gov
ernments In the Philippine Islands" In
that act 1t Is provided that municipal coun-
ellis shall establish, regulate and maintain
a police department" That the president
(mayoD shall tissue orders relating to the
police or to the public safety" and as a
check to secure a loyal and effective ad-
m1nistration of affairs generally 1t is fur
ther provided that until the present mill
tary government shall be replaced by
civil central government of these islands or
until the commission shall otherwise enact,
the powers conferred on the municipal
councils of any municipality organized un-
der this act to provide police force for
the municipality shall be exercised only
upon approval of the military governor or
of the commanding officer Of the military
district in which the municipality is stu
ated, and this approval shall be necessary
to the lawful appointment Of members Of
the police force and to the arming of the
same. In case the military governor shall
deem 1t necessary, the police force Of any
such municipality shall be directly sub
ject to the orders of the military governor
or his authorized subordinates."
The work of reconstructing the local mu-
crossing rapidly. In the meantime the or
ganiZations of local police have been fos-
tered and brought to marked degree of
proficiency.
Efficiency of the Police,
The last reports filed and received at the
War Department, through the military gov
ernor, contain the most satisfactory 1nfor-
nation as to the efficiency and devotion to
duty by the local police. For instance, Gen
eral Wheaton, for the department of north
ern Luzon. reports: 1.-The police forces,
where organized throughout this depart
ment, are improving In efficiency and loyal
ty to the United States, and are now in
many instances furnishing information and
are aiding In the capture of murderers and
assass1ns to whose control they have long
been subjected To this date no arms is
sued to the police have been lost Surveil-
lance is maintained over the police now or
ganized; frequent inspections are made by
the commanding officers, and the greatest
care observed to prevent arms from es-
Gaping our control. The improving condi-
t1ons throughout this department will en-
able further extension of the police sys-
tenn In the several provinces of this de-
partment the lives and property of the ma
tives are better protected than in time of
peace under Spanish government The pres
idents of some towns have been in the hab
It of making use of the police as servants
and coachmen, but this has been corrected
as soon as discovered" General Bates.
from the department Of southern Luzon
writes: Conditions are improving through
out this department and it is now possible
to obtain more reliable men for this duty.
1t Is thought that when the towns can raise
sufficient revenue to pay their own forces
that this work can be pushed more rapidly
and better results be obtained" Other dis