Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-02-03
MANILA INTEREST
Concerning the Action Congress
Will Take Regarding Our
Oriental Archipelago.
ONLY TWO PARTIES OVER THERE
Optimists and Pessimists-Criticis
of Taft's Statement Is Qualified
Captain Green's Views.

! Manila. FeD. 3.-AIanila is intensely
| interested as to what action congress
Will take concerning the Philippine
islands. Ordinary local politics have
been forgotten. and two parties have
been formed-the Optimists 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 1900 men would be
sufficient to garrison the islands In
year are plentiful. Yet the majority
of the business men who are financial
ly interested in the provinces, and con-
sequently claim exceptional OppOrtuni-
ties for feeling the pulse of the people.
say that Governor General Taft is
right on one condition Only-that be-
ing that congress acts for the benefit
of the Philippines.
Capt. Green Proposes "A Policy.
Captain Frank Green, president of
the American Chamber of Commerce
Lere. saws he fully believes that Civil
Governor Tafts forecast can be real
lied if congress will arrange to open
the country to mining and homestead
laws and TO open and enlarge the for
cstry reserves. Should this legislation
be effected an act by the Philippine
COMMISSION granting franchises would
naturally follow and United States
capital in large quantities. as well as
many United States miners and home
stead seekers. would come to the isl
a1sds He says this would cover the
country with observers who would
keep the government informed of the
native situation. Such conditions
would also give the natives employ
ment.
Has n Few other Conditions.
Captain Green continued rs follows:
Every one admits the excellent work
done by the native COnStabulary. which
will be increased. Many municipali-
ties also now posses Il fairly efficient
police force. The concentration of the
American troops into substantial bar
racks would reduce the sick rate
among them. and 1900 men under
such circumstances would equal 10000
men now. Given. these conditions IL
can readily be seen that i'm case of
local outbreak with which the police
would be unable to cope the cOnstabu-
larry would be handy; should it be nee
essary the military can come in. ana
then. as Il last resort. there would be
citizens willing TO render assistance
Defense of Military Reports.
'.The people at home.'' said a mem |
Der of the government, ARE prone TO |
blcme General Otis and General Mac |
Arthur for making statements which |
the facts did not seem To warrant.
while as matter Of fact both generals |
We're right. General Otis justly con- |
sidcred he had the situation well in
hand. even though the fighting con-
tinued. To General Macarthur is due |
much credit for pacifying large por-
tiOn of the Philippine islands. but to
General Chaffee comes teh greatest OPP |
portunity. that of stamping out the in
i'm those places where there
has been the most stubborn resistance.
prolonged beyond what was thought
possible I think that General Chi.ffee
is doing this effectively"
Bell Thinks tho Prospect Good.
General j. Franklin Bell. command
icg the American troops in the prov
inces of Batangas and Laguna, south
ern LuZOn. has arrived here TO confer
with Generals Chaffee and Wheaton.
He considers that there is every pros
pect for the termination of the insur
rectiOn in these provinces. Surrenders
of men and rifles occur daily there.