New-York tribune., 1902-02-03
WAITING ON CONGRESS.
COMMENT IN MANILA ON GOVERNOR
TAFT'S STATEMENTS.
THE MAJORITY OF BUSINESS MEN INDORsE
HIS TESTIMONY AS TO CONDITIONS
IN THE ISLANDS.

Manila, Feb. manila is intensely interested
as 10 what action Congress will take concerning
the Philippine Islands Ordinary local politics
has been forgotten, and two parties have been
formed, the optmsts and the pessimists. Some
think that life and property are unsafe outside
OF the towns of the islands, while others ridi-
cule such ideas and consider life and property
to be assured.
Criticisms of the statement of Civil Governor
Taft that he believed fifteen thousand men would
be sufficient to garrison the islands in a year
are plentiful. Yet the majority of the business
men who are financially interested in the prov
inces, and consequently claim exceptional oppor-
tunities for feeling the pulse of the people, say
that Governor General Taft is right on one con-
dtion only. that being that Congress acts for the
benefit of the Philippines.
SOME LEGISLATION NEEDED
Captain Frank Green. president of the Ameri-
can Chamber Of Commerce here, says he fully
believes that Civil Governor Taft's forecast can
be realized if Congress will arrange to open the
country to mining and homestead laws, and to
open and enlarge the forestry reserves. Should
this legislation be effected act by the United
States Philippine Commission granting fran
chises would naturally follow, and American
capital in large quantities. as we'll as many
American miners and homestead seekers, would
come to the islands.
IF this We're accomplished" continued the
president of the Chamber of Commerce, I'VE
would Immediately have large body of re-
sourceful and seIf-reIiant men scattered
throughout the archipelago, who would become
a source of information for the government con-
cerning the natives surrounding them. and who
would constitute a reserve force in case of ne
cessity. The consequent development of the ISL
ands would give employment to increasing
number of Fiipnos. who, while busy making
money. would have less time to plot The good
wages in sight would make those Filipinos
in the field desert the insurrecton in order to
enjoy their share Of the prosperity.
Every admits the excellent work done
by the native constabulary, which will be in
creased. Many municipalities also now possess
fairly efficient police force. The concentra-
tion Of the American troops into substantial
barracks would reduce the sick rate among
them. and fifteen thousand men, under such
circumstances, would equal twenty thousand
men now. Given these conditions 1t can readily
be seen that, in case of a local outbreak with
which the police would be unable to cope the
constabuary would be handy; should it be nee
essary. the military can come in, and then, as
a last resort. there would be this increasing
body Of American citizens willing to render
assistance
Il consider the assurances made by Civil Gov
ernor Taft before the Senate Committee on the
Philippines regarding future peace in these ISL
ands TO be timely inasmuch as they will have
a tendency to bring about more rapid legislation
on the subjects most needing attention"
OTIS AND MACARTHUR BOTH RIGHT
prominent member of the government says
that the order Of General Chaffee to military
commanders harmonize with the civil au-
thorities will have a good effect. The member
of the government in question thinks whatever
friction there has been in the provinces to be
probably due TO the continuation in these prov
inces in military capacity of the same officers
who previously welded civil power there.
The people at home said this member of
Otis and General Macarthur for making state
ments which the facts did not seem to warrant
while, a matter of fact, both generals were
right. General Otis justly considered he had the
situation well in hand. even though the fighting
continued To General Macarthur is due much
ippine Islands, but to General Chaffee comes the
greatest opportunity, that of stamping out the
iRsurrection in those places where there has
been the most stubborn resistance prolonged
beyond what was thought possible. l think that
General Chaffee is doing .his effectively. and
that his example and influence upon the military
government Will soon result in establishing most
cordial relations between the civil and military
authorities General Chaffee recognized that
both these branches of the government
working by different means to the same end
and the desire of the American people that
clean and good government be established in
every place possible"
General ]. Franklin Bell commanding the
and Laguna, Southern LuZOn has arrived here
to confer with Generals Chaffee and Wheaton.
He considers there is every prospect for the
final termination Of the insurrection in these
occur daily.