Evening star., 1902-02-18
AN EFFICIENT FORCE
WORK OF THE PHILIPPINE CON-
STABULARY.
Superior in Some Respects to the Sol
diers and Less Expensive-Capt.
Aliens Report.

Adtutant General Corbin has made public
report from Capt. Henry I. Allen, 9TH cav
airy, concerning the Philippine constapu-
larry, of which he is chief. The report IS
dated at Manila. December 10, ana capt.
Allen says that on that date the constap-
ulary, In round numbers, consisted OF LOW
men. and was able to control, without the
aid of troops. the provinces of Abra, Bon
toe, Union, Lepanto, Banquet, Nueva
Viscaya, Bataan, Principe and Infanta. Up
to the date Of the report there have been
but two men lost from the force by deser-
ton, a showing attributed to the care in
the selection Of men. Capt Allen brings
out the point Of contrast in expense as be-
tween a constable and a soldier. He says
that experience has shown that the cost OF
q single constable for a year does not eX-
ceed $3.50 gold, while the cost of maintain
ing an American soldier is ordinarily reck-
oned at about LOCO. Therefore, the cap
tain saws 1t can be seen what an enormous
factor the constabulary force will be in
stopping the outflow from the federal treas
ury for the maintenance of troops in the
archipelago.
More Efficient Than Troops.
AS to the work of the constabulary, Capt
Allen states that In chasing down robber
bands It is unquestionably more efficient
than the American troops, and that, while
one large garrison In many Of the prov
inces may always be necessary, 1t Is his
opinion, after a thorough study of condi-
tions, that in one years time $4,000 Amer1-
can soldiers, with the native contingent Of
troops and the conStabulary, Will suf-
fee to garrison the Philippine archipelago.
The archipelago is divided into three dis
tricts, the first of which embraces that
portion Of the archipelago north of Ma
nila; the second. that portion south Of Ma
nila, together with the islands not belong
ing to the Viscayan group. and the third. the
Viscayas. Mindanao and Jolo. The heads of
these constabuiary districts are, respect
first assistant chief; w. c. Taylor, third as
sistant chief, and w. L. Goldsborough sec
ond assistant chief. There is fourth as
sistant chief. Howard Atkinson, who is
charged with special work.
Force Should Be Doubled.
Capt. Allen believes that the present force
of 2, 800 men in the constabulary should be
doubled, and he submits an estimate for the
maintenance Of such a force, including SUBJ
sistence, transportation, quarters and
equipment of 81 1,25GOO0r a year.
The character of the work Of the con-
stabulary made the use of rifles undesirable
to the military authorities. but necessary
nevertheless, and 1,45Q Of the old Reming-
ton rifles captured and purchased from the
Insurgents which have been stored in the
Manila arsenal have fpeen distributed
among them.
when Malyar in fBatangas and Lukben
In Samar are killed or captured" said Capt
Allen, 1.-The work in this archipelago will
consist chiefly in destroying the numerous
bands of robbers-variously called tulisanes,
ladrones, alsados. babylanes, dios-dios, etc.
and In this work the censtabulary will be
specially valuable as shown by the begin
ming already made.
Outlook for Peace.
'"rhe general condition OF the islands as
regards pacifcation has never been so
| favorable as now when the crumbling from
the top is duly manifest. The new associa-
| ton Of peace was organized, and It's work
| Is being carried on, by the extreme group
! politicians, journalists and intransigentes
| who have until now been responsible for
| the continuation Of the insurrection. In
| my opinion the campaign in progress in
| Batangas and Laguna viii be the coup de
grace Of the insurrection and win prevent
| our trouble in the Philippines from becom-
| ing chronic. From reports received from
| various parts Of the islands there can be no
! question that the better class OF people are
| extremely tired OF the struggle and ar
| IDENTIFY desire peace. The recently enacted
sedttion lawhas had a potent value In bring
| Ing evil-doers to q realisation OF their alle-