New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-17
PHILIPPINE S0LDIERY.
The Establishment and Good WOrk
of the ConstabHlary.

an Occasional Correspondent o. anu -'''
Manila, P /. April 14.-For economical ana
sther reasons it has been decided TO reduce ON
s,derablv the Philippine constabulaT forces. AL
though the determination of the coIHNiiSSio" -
this matter has not been definitely announced
= fs extremely probable that the constabuiary
army viii be cut down from 800 10 1000 men,
To feed clothe equip. transport, pay anu
Otherwise care for an enlisted man in the Unitea
states army costs upward Of Sl,OOo year pu'
The insular government. so far, has kept up 10
constab uIary organization on an annual eN
-enditure of $3.50 a man. Yet. though the pay
Of the men is small. their allowances scant ana
their equipments comparatively Inexpensive lie
Philippine constabulary. as at present const-
tuted and maintained costs, IN one way OF an
other, more than 100000 a year.
The sudden transition from a state OF war 10
comparatively peaceful conditions, the disinte-
-4ation of the insurgent forces throughout the
archipelago and the installation of civil govern
-nent TO replace the military put before the
Philippine Commission the grave and deep
problem Of preserving the peace and maintaining
law and order in a large and only paruaIiy
Civilized country, possessing poor means OF
communication and peop!ed by many different
tribes Of Malays, all more or less Ignorant and
unfriendly. Al the outset it was evident that
the successful policing Of the islands would be
fraught with many difficulties.
The Philippine constabulary Is not to be COM
pared with American militia. In organization.
discipline and scope Of usefulness this aggre-
cation of military police somewhat resembles
the State Rangers Of Texas. that for years were
so effective in depressing lawlessness and crime
on the Southwest frontier
At the time the constabuiary was organized
the volunteers in the Philippines were being
mustered out. and the enlistments Of many men
in the regular army We're about to expire. This
placed at the disposal of the constabulary a
large number of officers and non-commissioned
officers, men who had seen plenty Of active ser
vice IN the islands, men Of experience ana
proven ability, good soldiers, who jumped at
his chance Of continuing their military career
SO. almost before the general public in the
islands was aware that such a corps was con-
1emplated officers were commissioned, uni
formed and sent TO stations throughout the
archipelago A captain and three or four lieu
tenants were sent 10 every province where civil
government had been lnaugurated and the re-
oruiting Of an enlisted force simultaneously be
IAN in almost every locality.
Most Of the enlisted men were ex-insurrectos.
and. because Of the previous military experience
Of officers and men, il was not long before CON
stabuIary detachments throughout the islands
were in a condition TO be utilized. then too,
there was plenty for them to do.
The majority Of the people were peacefully in
clined The collapse Of the Instruction, the
horrors. waste and suffering Of war, had demon
strated rather thoroughly 10 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
!adrones have existed in the Philippines from
lime immemorial and after the war these pro-
fessional plunderers and murderers were largely
reinforced by self-styed patriots" who still
persisted in carrying on a guerilla warfare. IN
localities where there yet fingered an undercur-
rent Of sympathy for the principles OF the rev
olution' these bands logged out in gaudy uni
forms, would operate in The guise of irrecon-
Cilable insurgents. In other communities re-
IigiOus fanaticism found TO be excellent
preteXt for committing atrocities and depreda-
lions, and many self-appointed 'popes' and
rulers have headed mara uding bands-at the
best. organized thieves at the worst, CallOuSed
InurGerers Every fugitive from Justice who
succeeded in escaping promptly Joined the near
est l2drOne organization. Through fear or for
some other reason these organized outlaws US
ually received help and information from the
inhabitants of The districts that they infested.
With these constantly recruited ladrOne bands
The onstabulaly had, from time time, bloody
fights and skirmisheS Of considerable maj nitude.
PLOTS that were especially noteworthy Many
constabulary detachments displayed yalor and
proficiency. But, the other hand. partly due
10 the form Of oTgallzati and the inability
enforce sufficient discipline and partly be-
OF inluQlClOUS and undesirable enliStuleutS.
the COnstabulaTY as a whole lost some Of its
prestige ana elan, and elements Of akness
We're exposed.
Concerning The Constabulary there are at least
two opinions. To those who saw the cOnsta bu-
larry battalion at st. Louis during the Worlds
Fair, the Philippine CUuStabulaTE would seem
TO be deserving Of great praise. The cousta bu-
larry band was accounted of the very best
at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. and the
appearance Of the Filipino troops on the pa
Tade ground daily q revelation to thou
sands Of visitors. No soldiers at the fair could
or did drill better than the little brown men
from the Philippines and their appearance and
discipline were extremely CTeditabe.
II their native islands active duty how
ever. all members OF the cOnsta bulary do not
show up We'll thu ones who We're on ex-
hibition at the Worlds Fair.
In one year Oye- eighty deserted with their
guns 10 the ladTones. In CavitG Province II is
asserted that the bandit followers of FeIizardo
are armed With constabulary rifles. Where did
they get them?
Similar pertinent questions are asked now
that the reduction and reorganization Of the
Philippine constabularT is contemplated
they have had to contend with, the officers and
Inendation and reward rather than harsh criti-
cisIn. and in the opinion Of Commissioner Cam
eron Forbes who has charge Of the Department
Of Commerce and Police. the reduction in num-
bers and expense may be secured on terms that
VIII enhance rather than impair the efficiency
Of the constabulary.