Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-08-14
THE philippine CoNsTABULARY.
It's Generally CreditabIe Record and
Despite Faults.

Manila Correspondence of the 4vew
York Tribune.-For economical and
other reasons it has been decided to
reduce considerably the Philippine
constabularly forces. Although the
determination of the commission In
this matter has not been definitely an
nounced, it is extremely probable
That the constabulary army will be
cut down from 600 to 1000 men. To
feed, clothe, equip, transport, pay and
otherwise care for an enlisted man in
the United States army costs upward
Of $1,000 year, but the insular
government, so far, has kept up it's
constabulary organization on an an.
nual expenditure of $3.50 man. Yet,
though the pay of the men is small,
their allowances scant and their equip.
nents comparatively inexpensive, the
Philippine constabulary, as at present
constituted and maintained, costs, In
one way or another, more than
100000 year.
The Philippine constabulary is not
to be compared with American militia.
In organization, discipline and scope
OF usefulness this aggregation of
military police somewhat resembles
the state rangers of Texas, that for
years were SO effective in depressing
lawlessness and crime on the south
west frontier. At the time the CON
stabulary was organized the volun-
teers in the Philippines were being
mustered out, and the enlistments of
many men in the regular army were
about to expire. This placed at the
disposal of the contabulary a large
number Of officers and noncommission-
ed officers, men who had seen plenty
of active service in the islands,. men
of experience and proved ability,
good soldiers, who jumped at t1lis
! chance of continuing their military
career. So, almost before the generat
public in the islands was aware that
such corps was contemplated.
officers were commissioned, uniformed
and sent to stations throughout the
archipelago. A captain and three or
four lieutenants were sent to every
province where civil government mad
been inaugurated, and the recruiting
OF an enlisted force simultaneously
| began in almost every locality.
Most of the enlisted men were ex
insurrectos, and, because of the
previous military experience of
officers and men, it was not long be-
fore constabularv detacbments
throughout the islands were in a con
dltlon to he utilized; then, too, there
was plenty for them to do. The
majority of the people were peacefully
inclined. The collapse of the in
surrection, the horrors, waste and
suHerlng OF war. had demonstrated
rather thoroughly to most of the
| Filipino population the utter futility
OF fighting against Americans But
everywhere there was the criminal
element to- be reckoned with. Bands
OF ladrones have existed I'M the Philip
pines from time immemorial, and
after the war these professional
plunderers and murderers were largely
reinforced by self-styled patriots
who still persisted in carrying on a
guerrilla warfare. In localities where
there yet fingered an undercurrent of
sympathy Tor the principles OF the
revolution these bands, logged out in
gaudy uniforms, would operate in the
gulse OF lrreconcilable insurgents. In
other communities religious fanaticism
was found to be an excellent pretext
TOT committing atrocities and dep
relations, and many self-appointed
popes" and rulers have headed ma
raudlng bands-at the best, Organized
thieves; at the worst, calloused mur-
oerers. Every fugitive from Justice
who succeeded in escaping PROMPTLY
Joined the nearest ladrone organiza,
ton. Through fear or for some othe,
reason these organized outlaws usual
ly received help and information from
the inhabitants of the districts that
they infested. With these constantly
recruited ladrone bands the con.
stabulary had, from time to time
bloody figAls and sIirmishes of con,
siderable magnitude. A number OF
American officers performed exploits
that were especially noteworthy.
Many constabulary detachments dis
played valor and proficiency.
Concerning the constabulary there
are at least two opinions. To those
who saw the constabularl battalion at
ST Louis during the worlds fair. the
Philippine constabulary would seem to
be deserving of great praise. The
constabulary band was accounted one
OF the very best at the Louisiana Pur-
chase exposition, and the appearance
of the Filipino troops on the parade
ground daily was a revelation to
thousands Of visitors. No soldiers AZ