The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-26
As Set Forth by the Taft Com
mission in a Report.
BEGINNING OF END
Dates From the Election OF
Last November.
More Latitude Asked in Dealing
With the Situation.

- NAS SS@1eLaEy OF war enclosing the
report Of the Taft Philippine commits
sion In his message Of transmitta1 the
president says that the report includes
not only the reports of the commission
but its acts Of legislation and other i'm
portant information relating to the con
ditions and immediate wants OF the
Philippine Islands,
Concluding. the president says II
earnestly recommend legislation under
which the government OF the islands
may nave authority to assist in their
peaceful industrial development in the
directions indicated by the secretary Of
war;
Secretary Roots letter Of transnittaI
addressed to the president says.
A personal letter received by me from
Judge Taft. dated December Il. 1900,
says:
. Since writing you about 5000 in
surgents in Ilocos Norte have surrend-
cred and 10000 persons who were not
well affected towards us in Panay have
taken the oath or allegiance have al
ready received two papers from native
priests. eighteen in number, and am
told that there viii be a great many
other papers signed by a great many
more native priests, rendering their
allegiance to the United States and
promising fidelity without mental re-
serve The native priests are those who
have held out longest for the insurgents
and against the Americans, and deem
this action Of sreat importance. The
army is hitting small but hard knocks
against the insurgents everywhere.
Since the election there has been a great
falling off in the activity Of the insurg-
ents in aggreSsiveness
.'On January ? the commission as q.
body reinforced the views contained in
their report by the following dispatch
from Manila:
Root. Secretary OF War. washing
ton-If you approve ask transmission to
proper senators and representatives OF
oil 1f
present session greatly needed No secure
best means Of improving conditions.
Until its passage no purely central civil
government can be established, no pub
lie franchises Of any kind granted, and
no substantial investment Of private
capital in international improvements
possible. All are needed as most i'm
pOrtant step IN complete pacificatlOn.
Strong peace party organized with de-
fined purpose of securing civil govern
ment under United States and reason
ably expect civil government and relief
from inevitable but annoying restraints
Of military rule long before subject can
be taken up by new congress Time
near at hand IN our opinion when dis
turbances existing can better be sup
pressed by native police OF a civil gov
eminent with army as auxiliary force
than by continuance Of complete mill
tary control Power to make change
should be put in hands OF presi-
dent to act promptly when time arrives
to give Filipino people an objeet-lesson
in advantages in peace Quasi civil
government under way; power most re-
stricted and unsatisfying- Commission
embarrassed in securing good material
for judicial and other service by neces-
sarily provisional character of military
government and uncertainty of tenure
Sale Of public land and allowance
OF mining claims impossible until
Spooner bill Hundreds Of American
miners on ground awaiting law to per
feet claims More coming. Good ele-
IJTg6nfIV
mend amendment Spooner bill so that
its operation be not postponed until
complete suppression OF All insurrectlon,
but only until in presidents judgment
civil government may be safely estab-
lished. Conditions rapidly improving
to point where civil government with
aid Of army will be more efficient to Sc
cure peace than military control
COMMISSIONS
"a dispatch from Judge Taft dated
January g. 1901, says:
- Conditions rapidly improving. Rifles,
officers. priyates are being captured or
surrendered daily in considerable num-
bers in north and south Luzon same
conditions in Panayr where more than
IS 900 have taken oath Of allegiance In
surgent forces completely scattered and
leader Delgado negotiating for surren-
der. Work in Samar slower because or
insurgent band long uncontested occu-
patton Of interior and swollen streams
early in campaign. Campaign in Samar
has driven bands into Leyte. producing
ditiOns there are favorable Federal
party for peace; direct result of election.
Well organized and rapidly increasing
in Manila: preparing to extend orgdnlz-
alton to many provinces on pressing and
numerous invitations from leading c1tt-
zens-'
THE report shows that the Islands are
estimated to contain about 73 900 600
acres Of lands Of which less than $780,
600 are held in private ownership. More
permanent laws than the military gov
ant n
report on the liquor traffic in Manila
indicates that the powers Of the COM
mission are ample to deal with the sub
ject and the success which they attain
ed will compare favorably with the re-
suits in this country. Many false and
misleading statements have been made
regarding the use Of intoxicating liquors
in Manila The fact is that this traffic
is more rigidly and effectively regulated
and kept within bounds in the city of
Manila than in any city OF similar or
greater size in the United States"
Appended to the secretary 5 reports
are these cablegrams concerning the
s. "a Is. 1901. TAFT. Manila: Ca
bic answer following questions: What
is present condition in Manila as to use
Of Intoxicating liquors. drunkenness and
disorder? How does it compare with
principal American cities? Do natives
frequent American saloons. or drink
American liquors2 How much drunken
ness among American Eoldiers2 Are dis
orderly houses licensed. protected. or in
any way encouraged by authorities?
ROOT"
Manila. Jan. 17-Root. Secretary of
War
with reference to your telegram Of
the 18th.
isFIrst-very good; second. better than
any American city OF same size; third
practically not at all; fourth, consider
able. Same much more conspicuous
than at home. because several barracks
near heart of city and frequented sa-
looms on narrow thoroughfares- New