Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-03
KEEN INTEREST
At Manila in Congress Plans
for Philippines.
Felt That Something Should Be Done
to Draw in Capital.
Mining, Homestead Laws and Forest
Reserves Need Attention.

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-
Guile such ideas and consider life and
property to be assured.
Criticisms of the statement of Civil
Governor Taft that he believed $4,000
men would be sufficient to garrison the
island in a year, are plentiful. Yet the
majority of the business men who are
| financially interested in the provinces,
and consequently claim exceptional OPP
portunities for feeling the pulse of the
people, say that Gov. Taft is right on
one condition only, that being that
Congress acts for the benefit Of the
Philippines.
the American Chamber of Commerce
here, says he fully believes that Civil
Gov. Taft's forecast can be realized, il
Congress will arrange to open the
country to mining and homestead laws
and to open and enlarge the forestry
reserves. Should this legislation be
effected. an act by the United States
Philippine commission granting fran
chises would naturally follow and
American capital in large quantities as
| well as many American miners and
homestead seekers would come to the
| islands.
IF this We're accomplished" contin-
ued the president of the Chamber of
Commerce. 1--WE would Immediately
have a large body of resourceful and
self-reliant men scattered throughout
the archipelago who would become a
source Of information for the govern
| ment concerning the natives surround
| ing them, and who would constitute a
reserve force in case of necessity. The
consequent development of the islands
would give employment to an increas-
ing number of Filipinos. who. while
busy making money, would have less
time to plot. The 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 also now pos
| SSoc q leill ~ pOllSC loIIC. lie
concentration of the American troops
into substantial barracks would reduce
the sick rate among them, and $1,000
| men, under such circumstances, would
equal 10000 men now. Given these con-
ditions it can readily be seen that in
| case of local outbreak with which the
police would be unable to cope, the con-
stabulary would be handy; should it be
necessary the military can come in and
then, as last resort. there would be
this ever-increasing body of American
citizens willing to render assistance.
Il consider the assurances made by
Gov. Taft before the Senate committee
on the Philippines regarding future
peace in these islands to be timely, in
asmuch as they will have.a tendancy
to bring about more rapid legislation
or the subjects most needing atten-
ton"
A prominent member of the govern
ment,say that the order of Gen. Chat
fee to military commanders to harmo-
nize with the civil authorities will have
some effect. The members of the gov
eminent in question thinks whatever
friction there has been in the provinces
is probably due to the continuation in
these provinces in military capacity
of the same officer who previously
welded civil power there.
"The people at home" said this mem.
Der of the government. "are prone to
blame Gen. Otis and Gen. Macarthur
for making statements which the facts
did not seem to warrant while, as
matter of fact. both generals were
right. Gen. Otis justly considered he
had the situation well in hand, even
though the fighting continued.
ITO Gen. Macarthur is due much
credit for pacifying a large portion Of
the Philippine islands. but to Gen.
| comes the greatest opportunity, that
of stamping out the Instruction in
| those places where there has been the
most stubborn resistance, prolonged
beyond what was thought possible I
think that Gen. Chaffee Is doing this
effectively, and that his example and
influence upon the military government
will soon result in establishing most
cordial relations between the civil and
military authorities.
Gen. Chaffee recognized that both
these branches of the government are
working by different means to the same
end, the desire Of the American people
that a clean and good government be
established In every place possible"
Gen. ]. Franklin Bell. commanding
the American troops in the provinces OF
Batangas and Laguna. southern Luzon,
has arrived here to confer with Gems.
Chaffce and Wheaton. He considers
there Is every prospect for the final ter
inination of the inSurrcction4 in these
provinces. Surrenders of men and
rifles occur there daily.