New-York tribune., 1902-01-30

remain there and perform duty. We owe an
obligation to the people of the islands and to
the foreigners who have their money invested
there that civilized country can abandon. We
cannot restore the condition that existed before
we went there. We destroyed the only govern
rnent the islands ever knew.
"A great deal has been made out Of the fact
that early in November there was a threat
ened outbreak in Manila and extra precautions
were taken 10 suppress II. 1 happened TO be in
Manila at that time. I in daily consulta-
ton with army officers and civil officials and
happen TO know more about the matter than
was ever made public. 1t is true that at that
time there was rumor Of effort being made
by some ladrones and insurgents in the city
20 organize a rebellion without taking any
Chances and without waiting TO investigate
thoroughly the authorities did just what they
ought 10 have done. They Immediately and
quietly began TO D. pare 10 meet an emergency
While the investigation was going on the
preparation was continuing. and it leaked out
that certain preparations were being made for
an outbreak BY the time the story was repeated
half dozen times the rumors the street
had the outbreak ready to come almost the next
morning The fact that the authorities had
armed a few of the launches and had estab-
lshed certain signals IN the town was un-
fortunately disclosed, but few days later all
was blown over 1t was simply false alarm.
IL there had been preparations there never
would have been any rumors OF an insurrec
ton. The preparation did not prevent the out
break, because there was outbreak TO occur.
HARM DONE BY TALK HERE.
1T is the opinion of every careful. cool man
who has gone into the subject over there on
the ground that the main element in pacifyng
the Philippines is a settled policy in America.
There has been more harm done by the talk
over here. the rumors OF Investigations and
the attacks upon the administration than by
all other agencies combined Reports that the
FilipinOs We're going to receive an independent
or an autonomic government have all acted as
fuel 10 keep up the fire.
I'm December. 1900, after the election OF Nc
kinney, there was more progress made in one
month toward pacifying the islands than in the
twelve months previous. simply because the
people said 1t is now too late And for the
next three or four months. district after
another gave UP the struggle accepted the sit
uation. and the people returned TO their work
If it had not been for the renewal of the agi-
tstion in this country. / believe the islands
would be pacified to-day"
lis there any danger from the employment
of native troops TO police the islands?"
PRAISE FOR NATIVE TROOPS.
'T have great confidence in the native troops.
They have proved themselves trustworthy, and
every United States officer who has ever had
them under his command will bear testimony
TO the fact that when once enlisted they prove
true. General Funston and Lieutenant Ward
trusted them, and other officers trusted them.
The pacihcation of the country north of Manila
largely brought about by native troops.
Lieutenant ]. w. Ward. who is now in Arkan-
sas, out one trip through the northern
part of the island for six weeks with none but
native troops and two white lieutenants. His
1OrCe amounted 20 ABOUT Two nunuISu III dll Ilc
told me that there never was minute during
that time when he did not absolutely trust his
men: that there never was single desertion
from his force. and that he never heard OF a
desertion from the native troops in the entire
ISLANDS. l have been told the thing by
other officers. I think, as matter of fact that
there never has been a native desertion or
treacherous native who has Joined the Ameri-
can army out there.
that by next year it viii be possible TO reduce
the American army in the Philippines 20 per
cent, and supply their places with native troops
The constabulary will never be a source of dan
ger. They enlisted from the better class of
natives, and without any exception they have
proved themselves worthy of trust, and If we
had TWENTY-FIVE thousand armed native con-
atabulary In the islands to-day il would have far
more to do with pacifying the islands than the
presence of twenty-five thousand Americans.
say this after having studied the question on
the ground, without passion prejudice, and
that opinion is indorsed by people who have gone
into the matter. as 1 have. America will not
have TO keep twenty live thousand troops in
the islands If they will accept the ISL
snds and give the people chance 10
cept American control. The leaders of the
present resistance are Filipinos Almost
without exception they half-caste. One
writer told pitiful story about Caille, who,
when he surrendered wept like a child. Caile
has not drop of Filipino blood in his veins"
DO the Americans, civilians, who are in the
islands, have any influence, good or bad, over
the natiVes?'
There are scarcely enough American civil
fans there to make it possible to answer that
question You must remember that the United
States Government has practically closed the
doors over there to the investment Of Ameri-
capital. While the motive behind this
tion was undoubtedly good. the effect has been
10 give over the main business of the islands
20 foreigners. II Congress would so modify the
laws to encourage American investments
the building Of few railroads and the opening
up Of the country would give employment to
thousands, bring in money and set example
of industry and thrift that would go a vast
distance toward bringing ambition and
tentment with the conditions into the
minds of the natives