The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1902-02-03
MANILA IS ANXIOUS.
Intense Interest Over Proba-
BILE Action Of Congress.
GOVERNOR STATEMENTS CRITICISED
II Ia Believed Taft's Forecast Will
He Realised n Legislation at
Wash inetOn Be Favorable
to the Islands.

| MANILA. Feb. 3.-Aanila Ia intense.
~ Interested MS to what action congress
will take concerning the Philippine Is
lands. Ordinary local politics have been
forgotten. and two parties have been
formed, the Optimists and the pessi-
mEts. Some think that life and prop
erty are unsafe outside of the towns Of
the islands. while others ridicule sach
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
! islands IN a year are plentiful. yet the
majority of the business men who arc
interested in the provinces and conse
quently claim exceptional opportuni
ties for feeling tho pulse of the people
say that Governor General TAFT Is
right on one question only, that being
that congress acts for the benefit Of the
philippines.
Captain Frank Green, president Of
the American chamber OF commerce
H'IV, says liz luby bVlt'Ntb Iudl Wv IL
Governor Taft's forecast can be real
lied If congress will arrange TO open
the country to mining and homestead
laws and to open and enlarge the for
rstry 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 md
homestead seekers would come to the
islands.
'lf this We're accomplished" contin-
ned the president of the chamber Of
commerce. Eve would Immediately
have large body of rcSourceful and
self reliant men scattered throughout
the archipelago who would become q
source Of information for the govern
mpnt concerning the natives surround
ing them and who would constitute n
reserve force In case of necessity. The
consequent development of the islands
would give employment TO an increas-
ing number of Fil!pinos. who while
'hFa Noulh It'' i'sS
time to plot. The good wages in sight
would mike even those Eilipinos in the
IieId desert the inslrrection in order 10
enjoy their share of the prosperity.
Every one admits the excellent
work done by the native constahulary.
which will I've increased. Many mn
inequalities also now possess a falrly
efficient police force. The concentra.
ton of the American troops into sub
Stantial barracks would reduce the
sick rate among them. and 1900 men
under such circumstances would equal
tons, it can readily be seen that In
case Of local outbreak with which
the police would be unable to cope the
constabulary would be handy. Should
ii 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 as
Eslanca.
81 consider the assurances made by
Civil Governor Taft before the senate
committee on the Philippines regard
ing future peace in these islands TO be
timely, naslnuch as they will have a
tendency to bring about more rapid
legislation on the subjects most need
ing attention.
General J. Franklin Bell. command
Ing the American troops in the prov
inccs Of Ratangas and Laguna. south
rrn luzon, has arrived here TO confer
with Generals ChafTee and Wheaton.
He considers there is every prospect
for the final termination Of the insur-
rcction in these, provinces. Suirenders
Of men and rifles there occur daily.