The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-22
Says the Insurrection Is Now Confined
to Batangas Province and the
Island of Samar.
CIVIL GOVERNMENT DESIRED
NATIVES APPRECIATE THE FACT 1T
MEANS BETTER TINES.
Capt. HgrtshOrne Killed i'm Samar-
Marines safe-Important surren-
der of FiIipinOs.


civil Governor of the Philippine islands,
who arrived here on the transport Grant.
is quite i'll. the Philippine climate and the
arduous duties he has performed has told
on his constitution. He feels that after a
few days OF rest in this city he will be
strong enough to undergo the trip East and
make his report TO the secretary of war
Governor Taft says he hopes to leave for
the East on Thursday.
Discussing conditions in the Philippines.
Governor Taft said yesterday: To-day l
wish the press would correct the impresss-
ion that there is war all the islands
The instruction is confined to two lOcali-
ties-the province of Batangas and the
Island of Samar. This morning 1 received
a most encouraging cable from Judge
Wright, who is the acting governor in my
absence. 1t said that owing to General
Bells strong repressive measures the
trouble in Batangas was being quoted. He
further said that 200 rifles had been sur
rendered. and as there are only LOO TO
100 rifles in the province there is no doubt
that Batansas will be as peaceful as any
of the other provinces. L don't think Gen
eral Bell will have need to apply the re-
concentrate principle to Batangas, as his
dispatch plainly indicates that the province
is in a fair way of pacifcatiOn. The dis
patch says that there are s43 teachers in
the islands In $50 places. and 200 of these
places are unoccupied by United States
troops. / may say that the Filipino is not
hostile TO the teachers. One was captured
some time ago but he was sent back in
a hammock. The inference is plain that
they entertain no hostility toward peda-
SOSueS or pedagogy.
wish impress uDOn everybody that
civil government is a success. There is
strong peace party in the islands, and 1t IS
among the Filipinos. They are working
earnestly and ZealOusly toward bringing
about happy relations between their coun-
trymen and the government. They are
using all that is in their power TO bring
in the recaIcitrant leaders L have never
been so encouraged as 10 the prospects
OF the Philippines as l have within the
past three months. There has certainly
been a great change in the sentiment of the
people. They are beginning to appreciate
the fact that civil government means bet
ter times for them
IF you had seen the farewell receptions
that were given me by the people my
leaving the islands you would have real
lied that there was sincerity in the ex-
preston of the wish for civil government
10 continue. Before L left L received re-
ports from the governors of the different
provinces. and the tone of each report was
most encouraging l am encouraged, and
j shall so report 10 Washington. There are
thtrty-five provinces capable OF govern
ment The only place where there is
trouble is IN the Island of Samar That is
the most difficult island for military opera
tons There are no roads, and the troops
have 10 use water courses when water is
pouring down the runnelS to follow the ma
tives 10 their Businesses. But all
confident that il is only a question of a
short time when the island will be pacihed.
Judge Carlock. OF the Court of First In
stance. has reported TO me that the Island
of Cebu is quite tranquil Mlndanao is an
island of great wealth. 1t is yet unde-
veloped, and when il is it Will be of great
value.
Speaking of the Moros. they are not
capable of receiving a civil government.
They still have tribal relations, as did our
Indians. and obey their chiefs. There are
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 l glad to say
that better feeling has sprung up among
them and they are now commencing TO
bring in the products of their lands and
barter them. The river Moros have always
been submissive. l do not wish TO create
the impression that the lake MorOs in
state OF warfare.
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 ad-
just them.
Governor Taft says that he is much i'm
proved By the sea voyage and will spend
several days at his old home in Cincinnati
before going to Washington. He is accom-
panied by his wife During his absence his
place on the Commission will be filled by
Luke r. Wright. one OF the other members
Governor Taft will remain in the United
States about two months. He will make an
exhaustive report 10 the President on pres
ent conditions in the Philippines under the
civil government and the success of the
pacification measures, and will also submit
his views upon the needs of the natives He
declares that there has never been time
since the United States became interested
I'm the islands that the attitude OF the
Filipino people. as a whole. has been so
friendly to the civil government established
by the United States as now.