Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-03


optimists and the pessImists. Some think
that life and property are Unsafe outside
OF the towns Of the islands, while others
ridicule such ideas and consider life and
property to be assured.
Criticisms are plentiful OF the statement
Of Civil Governor Taft that he believed
49, 900 men would be sunhcient to garrison
the islands in a year. Yet the majority Of
the business men who are financially in
terested in the provinces and consequently
claim exceptional opportunities for feel
Ing the pulse of the people. say that Gov
ernor General Taft is right on one condition
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 DO realized IL congress will ar
range to open the country to mining and
homestead laws and to enlarge the forestry
reserves. ShouH Shis legislation be ef-
fected an act Sy the Philippine commits
sioners granting franchises would naturally
follow, and American capital In large guam
titles, as well as many large American
miners and homestead seekers. would come
to the islands.
R~esOurceful Pioneers Needed.
III this we're accomplished" continued
the president OF the Chamber OF Commerce.
I'VE would Immediately have a large body
OF resourceful and self-reliant men scat.
tered throughout the archipelago, who
would become a source Of information for
the government concerning the natives
surrounding them, and who would oonsti-
tute a reserve force In case OF necessity.
The consequent development Of the is
lands would give employment to an ~increas-
ing number OF Filipinos. who. while busy
making money, would have less time To
plot. Til good wages In sight would make
even those Filipinos In the field desert the
insurrection in order to enjoy their share
of the prosperity.
Everyone admits the excellent work
done by the native constabulary, which will
be Increased. Many municipalities now
possess a fairly efficient police force. The
concentration OF the American troops into
substantial barracks would reduce the sick
rate among them, and 5000 men under such
circumstances would equal 10000 now.
Prepared for Every Emergency.
"Given these conditions, it can readily
De seen that in the case Of q local outbreak
with which the police would be unable to
NV NHS NOhbNubuidIy WOulQ De nalOY.
Should 1t be necessary the military can
come In. and then as a last resort there
can be this ever-inereasing body OF Amer
lean citizens ready to render assistance.
II consider the assurances made by Civil
Governor Taft regarding future peace In
these islands to be timely. inasmuch as they
viii have a tendency to bring about more
rapid legislation on the subjects most
needing attention"
A prominent member Of the government
says that the order of General Chaffee 10
military commanders to harmonize with
the civil authorities will have some effect,
The member Of the government in question
thinks whatever friction there has been In
the provinces Is probably due 70 the con-
tinuation In these provinces in q military
capacity OF the same officers who welcomed
military power there.
Situation Well I'm Hand.
The people at home" said this military
man, ARE prone to blame General Otis and
General Macarthur for making statements
which the facts did not seem TO warrant.
while as a matter Of fact both generals
were right. General Otis Justly considered
he had the situation we'll In hand, even
though the nghting continued.
ITO General Macarthur Is due much
credit for pacitying q large portion Of the
Philippine islands, but to General Chanee
comes the greater opportunity, tina Of
stamping out the insurrection in those
places where there has been the most stub
born resistance, prolonged beyond what
was thought possible. I think that General
chanee is doing this effectively. and that
bis example and influence in the military
government will soon result In establish
ing most cordial relations between the civil
and military authorities.
General Chaffee recognizes that both
these branches Of the government are work.
ing by different means to the same end, |
the desire of the American people thai a
clean and good government be estab.
lished In every place possible"
General Bell has arrived here TO confer ]
with Generals Wheaton and Chaffee. We