Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-05
GOV. TAFT REPORTS
Temptation to Ladronism in
the Philippines.
SUFFERING OF NATIVES
THE DEPRESSED STATE OF AGRI-
CULTURE.
American Military Has Not Been Call
ed on Since Last July-Evils OF
Fluctuating Currency.

The annual report Of the Philippine COM
mission and separate report by Gov. w.
H. Taft, just made public, give a review
Of the results, Of the years work OF the
commission and certain recommendations
for legislative action deemed essential to
the welfare Of the islands.
After reciting a history Of the establish
ment Of civil government throughout the
various provinces, Gov. Taft, In his report
says 1t has not been definitely determined
what shall be done with respect to Minda-
mao. The Moros. he says, do not under
stand popular government and do not de-
side it, preferring control Of dattas. Posi-
bly, far in the future" he says. control by
dattos may cease. For the present, now
ever, it is necessary only to provide pa
ternal, strong. but sympathetic government
for these followers of Mohammed."
Gov. Taft tells of the conditions that nave
made it necessary for the Islands to pur-
chase about $15, 100000 worth of food on
which to live, and to the enects war mas
had upon agriculture, almost the only
source of wealth in the islands. The great
est blow to agriculture, he says. is the de-
struction Of about 90 per cent Of the water
buffalo on which the cultivation OF rice Is
almost wholly dependent. AFTER speaking
of the rayageS of ASiatic cholera GOV. Ia1t
says:
Temptations to Ladronism.
THE bane of Philippine civilization in the
past was ladronism, and the present condl-
lions are most favorable for its growth and
maintenance. 1t Is not certain whether IN
the depressed state of agriculture, with the
temptations to ladronism. that the consta-
bulary will be able. without the assistance
of the military, to stamp 1t out we're there
temptations to agriculture. were there pros,
porous conditions in the country 1t "ouio
not be a troublesome matter to deal Wltn
but when want and famine are staring the
people in the face the life Of the freebooter
forms to the desperate ana the "eah d
very great attraction.
1.-The natural discomfort with the govern
ment when suffering is at hand, promoted
as it has been by the cholera restrictions
and the high prices OF rice ana otneI COIL
modities which have been greatly enhanced
by the depreciation Of silver. might well
have caused new breaking out OF the IN
surrection. and In my Judgment 1t speaks
wonders for the ease with whlch TINS co GUN.
try may be governed in normal times that
we have comparatively so little disorders
since the surrender Of the insurgent arms
in April
Civil Government Supreme.
Since civil government was completely es-
tablished in the Filipino provinces through
out the archipelago in July last year, the
governor says an American soldier has not
been called on once to fire gun, the coun-
try having been policed by the constabu-
larry, a force of five or six thousand men.
"It may be-" says Gov. Taft, that as the
conditions grow worse-for they are likely
to do so before they grow better-it will be
necessary in a province like Cavite. where
ladronism seems inbred in the people, to
proclaim martial law and even to call In
the military finally to suppress 1t. but 1t is
still hoped this may be avoided."s
The ladrones of 1loilo are characterized as
an organized band Of cattle thieves. They
says that unless carabaO can be repla ced,
or other methods of agriculture substituted
the future for several years has a gloomy
outlook
The depressed condition Of agriculture
and the tendency to ladroniSm in the Taga-
log and in some of the Visayan provinces
does not apply to those provinces where
hemp is the chief product. They are
wealthy and prosperous" the report recites,
and while their food costs them more than
1t used to, they have money enough with
which to make improvements; school
houses are being built; roads are being con-
structed; NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and other
kinds-is being introduced, and there Is
every evidence Of forward movement.
Throughout the rice and Tagalog
provinces, however. we must expect dis
turbances from time to time from ladrones
and their assistants, the Katipunan socie-
ties. OF the whole there is be-
fore us a year Of the hardest kind Of work
relieving the people from the hardship and
suffering likely to follow the failure of the
rice crop and in suppressing ladronism and
other disturbances due to economic distress.
Fluctuating Currency.
The governor points out, among other ills