New-York tribune., 1902-01-22
TAFT MUCH ENCOURAGED
CIVIL GOVERNMENT IN THE PHILIP
PINES A SUCCESS-RECONCE
PLAN UNLIKELY

San Francisco, Jan. Ex-Governor General
Taft. who arrived here from Manila last night,
landed this afternoon. Governor Taft expects to
start for Washington tomorrow. He will stop
over at Cincinnati, his home. Discussing condi-
tions in the Philippines. Governor Taft said:
1 wish the press would correct the impression
that there Is war all the islands. The insur-
rection is confined TO two localities-the prov
lnce or Batangas and the island of Samar. This
morning l received most encouraging cable
dispatch from General Wright, who is the acting
governor In my absence. 1t was said that owing
10 General Bells strong repressve measures the
trouble in Batangas was being queted. He fur
ther said that 700 rifles had been surrendered
ana that as there are only from 100 to 1,20O
rifles In the province there is doubt that
Satangas VIII be peaceful any Of the other
provinces do not think General Bell will have
TO adopt the reconcentrado principle in Ba-
tangas. his dispatch plainly indicates that the
province is in fair way of pacifcation.
The dispatch says that there S43 teachers
he IsIa in 40 nIacas 900 oP ,basa
places are unoccupied by United States troops
l may say that the Filipino is not hostile to the
teacher. One was captured some time ago. but
he was sent back in Il hammock The inference
Is plain that they entertain no hostility toward
pedagogues or pedagogy.
l wish to impress upon every body that civil
government is a success. There is a strong
peace party IN the islands, and II IS composed
OF the most influential men among the Fflipinos.
They working earnestly and zealousIy
toward bringing about happy relations between
their countrymen and the government They
the recalctrant leaders. have never been so
encouraged as TO the prospects of the Philippines
as l have within the last three months. There
has certainly been a great change in the senti-
ment OF the people. They are beginning to ap-
preciate the fact that civil government means
better times for them
If you had the farewell receptions that
were given me by the people on my leaving the
islands you would have realized that there was
sincerity in the expression of the wish for civil
government 70 continue Before l left I re-
ceived reports from the Governors of the diff
ferent provinces. and the tone of each report
was most encouraging. | am encouraged. and 1
shall report to Washington.
There are thirty-fve provinces capable of gov
ernment- The only place where there is trouble
is in the island of Samar. That is the most diff
no roads, and the troops have TO use water
courses to follow the natives to their fastuesses
But all confident that il is only aues-
tion OF short time when the island will be
pacifed
Judge Carlock. of the Court of First Instance
has reported TO me that the island of Cebu is
quite tranquil. Mindanao is an island of great
wealth. 1t is as yet undeveloped, and when II
is 1t will be OF great value.
Speaking of the Moros they are not capable
of receiving civil government They still have
tribal relations, as did our Indians and ohey
their chiefs. There two sets Of Moros the
river Moros and the lake MorOs The lake
Moros have been distinctly hostile to us. and
were ever active against the Spaniards am
glad to say that better feeling has sprung IN
among them, and they are beginning to
bring in the products of their lands and barter
them. The river Moros always have been sub
missive.
The great question and difficulty that presents
itself to the government is the land question
The titles to lands are very unsettled and it is
a difficult matter to adjust them.
Governor Taft expects to return to the islands
about March 1.