The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-12
Rapid Strides Toward Ending Guer-
rfIIa Warfare Have Been Made
Since MckinIey's Reelection.
GEN. MACARTHUR's POLICY
COUPLED WITH THE WORK OF
ID TAFT,S COMMISSION,
Convincing Natives that Further OPP
position to Authority Is Imper-
Hing Their Own Future.

correspondence OF the Associated tress.
MANILA, Jan. 20.-Progress toward the
pacifcation of the Philippine islands has
certainly been making more rapid strides
during the opening days of the new year
than during any similar period in 1900 The
situation has begun to brighten. Military
men were far from sharing the optimistic
views of the Philippine commissioners, as
expressed in their report prepared last No
vcmber, but they did place confidence in
the general preparations for a more ag-
gressive campaign.
News of the result of the presidential
election filtered slowly through the
provinces and appeared to be received with
cl aracteristic native Indifference. But Cen
eral MacArthur's proclamation of Dec. 20,
designating all "Who do anything inimical
To the interests of the occupying army" as
war rebels or traitors, punishable at the
discretion of the tribunals of the occupy
ing army" was a proposition so plain that
ali who ran might read, especially since
printed copies in various languages were
extensively circulated through all the dis
tricts. The term during which amnesty
was extended 10 repentant rebels, having
expired, and the carrying out of the COM
mands of General MacArthur's proclama-
ton having begun with the arrests of large
patches of insurgents, a scurrying for the
mountains ensued. .~tIlipino leaders, who
were trying to play double games. became
fewer and several hundred natives soon
found themselves en- route to Manila under
guard.
The campaign OF arrests in Manila and
vicinity which began Immediately after the
issuance of General MacArthur's proclama-
ticn is being pushed with extraordinary
vigor. The prisons are daily becoming more
crowded and an additional one is being
built on Subig bay. Mistakes are made, of
course. by the police and soldiers and the
detectives of the provost marshal's depart
ment. and harsh criticisms are sometimes
ieerd on the injustice OF taking in men on
alleged flimsy evidence. A few of the
Ane rican civilians say it is impolitic TO
arrest ~friends. neighbors and relatives of
prominent native amigos. because 1t turns
sentiments of friendship to those of bitter
ness and revenge. General results, how
ever. do not indicate the latter theory
TO be we'll grounded. About all the most
prominent Filipino leaders are now push
Ing the organization of the new federal
political party and talking of autonomy In
the Philippines under American sover-
eighty.
CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
While the army industriously chases the
remnants Of the %ipsurgent army up the
mountain sides the no less indefatigable
Philippine commission is building up a
framework of civil government as effective
as the representatives OF the administra-
ton can make it. The pending bill for the
government of the municipalities will, in a
few days, be enacted; the act establishing
systematic conduct and public control of
public schools is about to be passed; s. 1000
900 has been appropriated for highways and
bridges; a code prescribing methods of legal
procedure and the conduct of the courts is
nearing completion, and under il new
judges will be appointed for courts of first
instance; forestry and mining bureaus have
been reorganized; new customs and tariff
schedules have been sent to Washington
for Approval; the salaries of civil-seryice
employees ave been regulated and a civil
service system put into effect: bank ex-
aminations have been provided for, and n
million dollars has been appropriated for
the greatly-needed Improvement of Manila
harbor.
1t is believed here that the commission is
peculiarly favorably constituted TO handle
impartially the various church and land
questions with which it will shortly deal.
for the reason that none of the commits
sionerS can be said to be prejudiced in
matters of religion. The general sentiment
of the commissioners is that those things
which will tend toward the making of bet
ter Christians and better citizens are inf
nitely more desirable than the PROSECUTING
of any branch of Christian faith at the ex-
penSe of others.
The aid furnished by the commissioners
in the work of pacification cannot be said
10 be cordially welcomed by the soldier.
Scarcely an army officer is found who does
not believe the work of the commission is
premature, that the hopeful views of it's
members on the general situation are en-
tirely too optimistic, and that the civil adj
ministTation of affairs ought TO have been
left wholly in the hands of the military
governor for, perhaps, years to come.
The commissioners, meanwhile, proceed
with vigor in the execution or their we'll
defined legislative, a~ppointive arc judicial
duties. with slight heed OF what the army
may think or say, and the natural separa-
ton between the forces of war and the
architects of a settled peace continues. In
consequence the military authorities and
the commission can scarcely be said to be
pulling together in the same harness. not
withstanding both are in the service of the
same department OF the home government.
Communications between the two DEPART
ments situated at either end of the palace
corridors are moro distinguished by for
mality than by cordiality. These things.
however, detract In no wise from the ut
most personal respect and appreciation.
The average army officer, judging from his
standpoint, places the date Of ultimate
paciication at not sooner, and, generally,
much later than one year hence. The COM
mission. placing more faith I'm the leaven
OF local autonomy and the enlightenment
OF progressive civil government, looks for
ward TO an earlier peace.