Waterbury Democrat., 1902-02-03
MANILA IS ANXIOUS.
Intense Interest Over Proba-
 b1e Action of Congress-
GOVERNORS STATEMENTS CRITICISED
IL Is Believed Taft's Forecast wil1 Bo Realized if Legislation at Washington Be Favorable
 to the TE1ands.

MANILA. Feb. 3.--Manila is intense iy interested as to what action congress will take concerning the Philippine Is- lands. Ordinary local politics have been forgotten, and two parties have been formed, the optimists and the pegsi- mists. Some think that life and prop erty are unsafe outside of the towns of the islands. while others ridicule such ideas and consider life and property to be assured,
 Criticisms of the statement of Civil Governor Taft that he believed 15,oo0 men would be sufficient to garrison the islands in year are plentiful, yet the majority of the business men who are interested in the provinces and conse- quently claim exceptional opportuni- ties for feeling the pulse of the people say that Governor General Taft is right on one question only, that being that congress acts for the benefit of the Philippines.
 Captain Frank Green, president of the American chamber of commerce here, says he fully believes that Civil Governor Taft's forecast can be real szed if congress will arrange to open the country to mining and homestead laws and to open and enlarge the for estry reserves. Should this legislation be effected an act by the United States Philippine commission granting fran chises would naturally follow, and American capital in large quantities as well as many American miners and homestead seekers would come to the islands.
 "If this were accomplished" contin- ued the president of the chamber of commerce, "we would immediately have a large body of resourceful and self reliant men scattered throughout the archipelago who would become source of information for the govern ment concerning the natives surround ing them and who would constitute reserve force in case of necessity. The consequent development of the islands would give employment to an increas- ing number of Fiipinos, who while busy making money would have less time to plot The good wages in sight would make even those Filipinos in the field desert the insurrection in order to enjoy their share Of the prosperity.
 Every cue admits the excellent work done by the native constabulary, which will be increased. Many mu- nicipahties also now possess fairly efficient police force. The concentra- ton of the American troops into sub stan -a1- barracks would reduce the sick rate among them, and 15,oOO men under such circumstances would equal 10000 men now. Given these. condi- tions, it can readily be seen that in case of a local outbreak with which the police would be unable to cope the constabulary would be handy. Should it be necessary the military can come in, and then, as a last resort, there would be this ever increasing body of American citizens willing to render as- sistance.
 'T consider the assurances made by Civil Governor Taft before the senate committee on the Philippines regard ing future peace in these islands to be timely, inasnauch as they will have a tendency to bring about more rapid legislation on the subjects most need ing attention"
 General J. Franklin Bell, command ing the American troops fn the prov inees of Batangas and Lagnna, south ern Luzon, has arrived here to confer with Generals Chaffee and Wheaton.
 He considers there is every prospect for the final termination of the insur- rection in these provinces. Surrenders of men and rifles there occur daily.