The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-11
Has Been Absent from the Country for
Over Three Years, Most of the Time
in the Philippines.
AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW
GENERAL CHAFFEE DISCUSSES con-
DITIONS IN THE ISLANDS.
Says Civilization Is Accomplishing
Wonders and that Natives Are
Becoming Friendly.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 10.-The United
States transport Sumner arrived in port to-
night from the Philippines after a most
stormy and perious voyage Shortly after
leaving Yokohama the vessel encountered
a typhoon. Boats were smashed, portions
of the rigging carried away, and during the
height of the storm a launch was torn
from its fastenings and struck Mrs. Chat
shock prostrated Mrs. Chaffee, who was i'll
when she boarded the vessel.
On board the transport were Gen. Adna
r. Chaffee and wife, Vice Governor Wright
of the Philippines, accompanied by Mrs.
Wright. General Chaffee's staff, Capt. j.
F. Lindsey. Lieut.. Roy B. Carper Major
]. l.. Phillips, Major William E. Arthur,
Judge James H. Blount of the Philippine
insular government, Lieut.. Colonel James
T. Kerr and wife, and large number of
officers wives returning home.
General Chaffee has been absent from
this country for over three years during
which time duty called him to Cuba, to
China and to the Philippines To General
Chaffee's efforts were due the speedy and
peaceable settlement of the Chinese diff
Guilty and in recognition of his services in
China he was detailed to go 20 the Philip
pines to bring about more harmonious
condition of affairs. General Chaffee said
tonight: When 1 left Manila everything
was progressing in a most satisfactory
manner. / could not be more pleased with
the situation. Civilization has accom-
plished wonders, and the natives are fast
recognizing the institutions of this gov
ernment and meeting them with a more
friendly spirit. OF course some of the prov
inces are unsettled and we expect to meet
with further trouble, but the outlook is
most cheerful and. beyond an occasional
skirmish here and there. look for no great
difficulties or disturbances requiring un-
usual force to subdue. Peaceful methods
are making themselves felt among the ma
tive leaders, who are in many instances
assisting our government by advising their
former belligerent followers to lay down
their arms. Some of the former fighting
sultans, of which there are a score, have
become peaceable.
THE GREATEST DIFFICULTY.
''The greatest difficulty we experienced in
the islands is overcoming the legends and
superstitions of the people. 1t is hard TO
overcome at once traits which have been
born in the natives for centuries. and I will
say that to this one feature is largely due
the spread of cholera and other pestilentiaI
diseases among them. They cannot he
made to submit to or to understand the
modern methods of treatment nor can
they be made to see the utility of a modern
sanitary system. They will not submit to
quarantine peacefully, and frequently es
cape from their bounds, spreading disease
In the city OF Manila a very good system
prevails. and in consequence the health
conditions are better than they have ever
been in the history Of the country
Great hardship prevails in some of the
provinces where the natives are unable To
plant their rice crops on account OF the loss
of their farm animals. and | look for
much suffering in these provinces but the
government has already taken steps TO re-
lieve the situation and IL will not be long
before most of the needy will be looked
after.
II am very much pleased with the situa-
ton in the Province of Samar. What was
once one of the most unruly and belliger-
ent of the provinces is now quiet and as
peaceable as San Francisco. The natives
are becoming prosperous under the indus
try which has been fostered there and they
have a ready market for their rice and
hemp"
General Chaffee reported that Mrs. Chsf-
ices health had greatly improved and