New-York tribune., 1902-01-10
PHILIPPINE SITUATION
AN INTERESTING STATEMENT BY SEC
RETARY ROOT
RESTRICTIONS ON FRANCHISES A CHECK
TO PRoGREss-TRoOPS NECESSARY
FOR AN INDEFINITE TINE.

Washington, Jan. 9.-Secretary Root gave an
interesting exposition of the condition of az
fairs in the Philippines, together with the out
look for terminating military by civil rule at a
hearing to-day before the House Committee on
Military Affairs. in connection with the Army
Appropriation bill. The meeting was behind
closed doors, and no exact statement of Mr..
Roots remarks was made public, although the
following are understood to embody the more
essential features:
The discussion of the Philippine situation was
brought out by a question by Mr. Hay. of
Virginia, to whether civil government could
be maintained in the islands without the pres
ence of the army. In reply Mr.. Root said that
the army was necessary a moral force TO
maintain the civil administration now estab-
lished. One Of the chief causes, he said. why
there had not been more progress in the Philip
pines was that the Spooner amendment passed
by Congress last year and restricting the grant
OF franchises had the effect of preventing the
investment of capital and the consequent en-
ployment of labor Many people were idle. and
many of these became conspirators simply be-
cause they were idle. The Secretary instanced
the fact that although rice was one OF the main
products of the Philippines. yet about So 900 900
worth of rice had to be Imported last year. In
this and many other branches of industry the
wheels of industry were not moving. the people
+ out of employment were encouraged in vicious
ness, and a result it necessary to keep
some forty thousand troops in the islands
In some provinces a very satisfactory civil ad-
mnistration had been set UP. But Mr. Root
pointed out that even in provinces where civil
government had been success men were con-
spring to assist in the agitation and warfare
carried on in neghboring provinces. On the
whole, however, the Secretary expressed the be-
lief that II Congress enacted the bill proposed
by Senator Lodge Of Al
Cooper. of Wisconsin. providing systems of laws
for the Philippines II would be possible soon
thereafter gradually 10 reduce the military es-
tabshment in the islands. He did not believe
1t would be a rapid complete termination of
military rule. as the conditions among the
tives were firmly fixed. and 1t would take con-
siderable time to bring about the new order of
affairs. Mr. Root said that better progress had
been made in the last year than had been ex-
pected, and he expressed the opinion that civili-
cation ultimately would be extended 10 the peo-
pie Of the Islands. To illustrate this point he
said the Philippine people had been in effect
living under a sixteenth century government.
and the United States wanted to give them
twentieth century government.
The situation in Cuba discussed only
briefly, as Mr.. Root remarked that the United
States was simply trustee there. whereas the
interest in the Philippines much more def
inite and extended, particularly the large
sweep Of public lands Mr., Root also said that
II was the expectation of the War Department
to do away with the army transport service,
that the transportation of troops would be car
ried on BY private concerns. Some question had
been raised by members OF the committee to
the propriety Of an item in the bill of 81 ,0oC, 900
for emergency expenses of the War Department.
The Secretary said this amount unneces-
sary. and had been estimated through
sight, that the committee doubtless will omit
this emergency fund from the bill.