The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1903-01-06
IN THE PHILIPPINES.
The Annual Report of Gov. Will
liam H. Taft.
The Country Since Last July Has Been
PoIiced BY the ConstabuIary,
Force of Five or Six Thou.
sand Men.

Washington, Jan. 5.-The annual re-
port of the Philippine commission and
a separate report by Gov. w H. Taft,
made public at the war department
Sunday, gives a review of the results
of the years work of the commission
and contains recommendations for leg
islative action by congress deemed es-
sential to the welfare of the islands.
After reciting a history of the es-
adjustment of civil government
throughout the various provinces, Gov.
Taft, in his report, says it has not
been definitely determined what shall
be done with respect to Mindanao,
where. he says. hostility to the Ameri-
cans does not extend beyond the Lake
Lanao Moros. The governor is of the
opinion that it may be possible to in
duce the sultan of Jolo to part with
some of the rights to claims to the
Jolo group and thus obviate many OBJ
stacles now encountered. The Moros.
he says. do not understand popular
government and do not desire it, pre-
ferring control by dattos.
Possibly far in the future, says he,
control by dattos may cease. For
the present, however, it is necessary
only to provide a paternal, strong but
sympathetic government for these fol
lowers of Mohammed"
Gov. Taft tells of the conditions that
have made it necessary for the islands
to purchase about $15,0OO,0O0 worth
of food on which to live, and of the
effects war has had upon agriculture,
almost the only source of wealth in
the islands. The greatest blow to ag.
riculture, be says, is the destruction
of about 80 per cent. of the water buf-
falo, on which the cultivation of rice
is almost wholly dependent. After
speaking of the ravages of Asiatic
cholera, Gov. Taft says:
'The bane of Philippine civilization
in the past was ladronism, and the
present conditions are most favorable
for it's growth and maintenance. 1t is
not certain whether in the depressed
state of agriculture, with the tempta
tons to ladrOnism. that the constab-
ulary will be able without the assist.
ance of the military to stamp it out.
Were there temptations to agriculture,
were there prosperous conditions in
the country, it would not be a trouble
some matter to deal with, but when
want and famine are staring people in
the face the life of the freebooter
forms 70 Tho docDoroto opd tho uooly
very great attraction. The natural
discomfort with the government when
suffering is at hand. promoted az. it is
by cholera restrictions and the high
prices Of rice and other commodities
which have been greatly increased by
the depreciation of silver, might well
have caused a new breaking out of the
instruction, and in my judgment it
speaks wonders for the ease with
which this country may be governed
in normal times that we have com
paratively so little disorder since the
surrender of the insurgent arms in
April"
Since the civil government was com.
pletely established in the Philippine
provinces throughout the archipelago
in July of last year the governor says
an American soldier has not been call
ed on once to fire. gun, the country
having been policed by the constabu-
larry, a force of five or six thousand
men.
at may be-" says Gov Taft, "taat
as the conditions grow worse-for
they are likely to do so before they
grow better--it will be necessary in
province like Cavite, where ladron-
ism seems inbred in the people. to pro-
claim martial law and even to call on
the military finally to suppress it, but
it is still hoped this may be avoided"