Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1903-06-23

that less and less will be heard of To-
cal disturbances and that the islands
will become gradually settled
down for the prosperity which awaits
the development Of their splendid re-
sources. At the present time, while
civil government has been organized
in all of the Christian provinces of the
archipelago, the presence of the La
drone element, augmented by such of
the peaceable natives as these La
drones have been able to intimidate
into assisting them, has called for Wig
ilance and prompt action on the part
, of the authorities. 1 tried number
of these Ladrones In Samar and Leyte
and found them to be mainly of the
most ignorant classes. The degree Of
their intellectually may be inferred
from the fact that in their raids they
carry pasted upon the forehead or
chew in the mouth, little pieces of pa
per called "Anting-Antings." which
are supposed to make them bullet
proof. The policy of the courts has
been to punish severely the leaders Of
norant Of them, after proper instruc-
| ton as to the results of further diso-
bedience of the law, to return to their
homes where they are kept under
proper surveillance. In suppressing
these outlaws, the civil government
has wisely utilized to a great extent,
the Filipinos themselves. The consta-
| bulary organization, excepting the
commissioned officers is made up en-
| tirely of natives and has proved most
| efficient. This is the organization
which deals primarily with the crimi-
nal classes and the native members of
it, when properly differed, are as
| brave and competent soldiers as can
be found anywhere. In case the sit
| uation is too grave for the constabu-
larry alone, provision has been made
by congress for calling into service
the Philippine scouts, branch of the
regular army The soldiers of this
organization are likewise all Filipinos
and they take a deep pride in their
connection with the army. Posts OF
this organization are situated at many
points on the islands, available for
ready duty. Finally, in case the sit
uation should at any time become too
acute for constabulary and scouts
confined, the regular American. sold
iers, which are as a rule, gathered In
large posts, healthily located, may be
called upon for assistance. With the
policy already maintained to assure
the Filipino Of protection in his rights
and with the three organizations al
ready mentioned to exercise prompt
and firm action in case he steps
beyond the law, it is believed that the
experiment of civil government In the
Philippines has been we'll launched
and promises permanence. I believe
that in the future. less and less will
be heard Of Ladronism and more and
more of advancement in the direction
Of material prosperity.
Preparations for this latter are
shown in the improvements Of Manila
harbor. now reaching completion; the
building Of an electric line from Ma
nila affording a chance for suburban
growth and various other enterprises
now under way.
1.-THE Philippine authorities were
much disappointed at the failure OF the
last congress to lower the duty upon
Philippine imports into this country.
The present tariff prevents any con-
siderable increase in the expectation
of Philippine products to the states
which should afford the principal mar
ket for them. It is confidently expec-
ted, however, that the next congress
will remedy this trouble. The provis-
| ion for stable currency and the ap-
preparation Of several million dollars
| for the relief of the agricultural inter-
ests, made by the last congress. was
however, an assurance to the Filipino
people that the people of America are
not unmindful Of their interests; and
| with the assurance of enlarged self
government given by the Lodge bill OF
year ago, the Filipinos are looking
forward more and more confidently to
an early realization of the ambitions
80 long entertained by them, the hope
of government honestly administered
and in which they shall have such a
degree Of participation as their ambi-
tions dictate and their capabilities
justify. Preparations are being made
for an extensive exhibit from the
Philippines at st. Louis next year and
II am confident that that exhibit will
not only serve to open the eyes Of the
American people to the great resource
es Of the archipelago, but will also
show them what great progress has
been made by Governor Taft and his
able associates on the commission IN
transforming hostility into friendli-
ness, in advancing the material and
l political interests Of this most inter-
testing people, and by 50 doing in ele-
waiting the name Of the American ma