Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-02-01
STATUS Of THE F|L|P|NOS
Report of the Taft Commission Says
the Situation Is Daily Becom-
ing Satisfactory.
PREDICTS THE WAR IS NEARLY OVER.


Washington, Jan. 26.-The secretary
OF war has sent to congress volum-
nous report from the Philippine com
mission, covering its transactions up
TO November 30, and containing much
matter OF interest and Importance.
The report says:
People Are Ignorant
The people are ignorant credulous and
childlike, and under any government the
electoral franchise must be limited be-
cause the large majority will not for a
long time be capable OF intelligently ex-
srcising IL. Few natives of the interior
nave ever been beyond the boundaries
OF the towns in which thy live II is
only here and there in each community
that one can be found who speaks Span
ISM. 1t Is not remarkable that the
masses OF the people are densely ig-
norant and credulous 10 "A degree that
can hardly be understood by Americans.
nor that they are easily imposed upon
and carried away by the most absurd
falsehoods as TO our sinister purposes in
reference 10 them.
Desire Pence.
The great majority 81 the people de-
Sire peace, and are entirely willing to ac-
cept government under the supremacy
OF the United Stats. They are. however,
restrained by fear from assisting the
suppression OF the insurrcctiOn. With
out this, armed resistance TO the United
States authority would have long ago
ceased. Anyone suspected of giving i'm
formation 70 the Americans concerning
The insurgents is Immediately marked for
assassination. 1t has effected the ter
rorism OF the entire people. NOtwith-
standing this, about 300 insurgents In
llocos Norte have surrendered. and l0.oDo
persons who were not Well affected to-
wards us in Pdnay have taken Che oath
of allegiance"
Result OF the Election.
Tho commission discusses at length the
effect OF the recent election I'm the United
stats upon the insurrection in the Phil
ippines. and says that since the result
was announced there has been A decided
decrease In its activity. From now on
conditions in these islands will grow
steadily better and, however formidable
the difficulties really are. the possibilities
that present themselves OF improving the
condition Of the people. In education.
wealth comfort and in the knowledge OF
how TO govern themselves, cannot but
awaken the deepest enthusiasm on the
part OF every friend OF civilization IA
miliar with the actual conditions.
The Liquor Traffic.
ION November last the number OF
liquor licenses had been reduced to los,
OF which II were granted 10 hotels of
the frst-class. seven 10 hotels OF the
second-Class. Il for the sale OF wine and
beer only and 90 for all liquors. This is
reduction from - 20 los during the
year and included all saloons, hotels and
restaurants selling liquor I'm Manila on
November 30 last At the same time the
number OF shops selling native wines has
ben reduced from f.cJo az the time of
the American occupation 10 40S ON the
18th of November last Prostitution Is
not licensed. regulated or recognized IN
any manner. direct or indirect by the
government and never has been.
In conclusion IN, commission urges tn.
passage OF the Spooner bill $50 tnal the
Islands can b, given civil government