The San Francisco call., 1905-06-09
Commander f. w. Coffin Says
Guns Are Not Mounted
and That Japan or Any
Nation Could Ruin City
FILIPIN0S DISLIKE
Rule. OF AMERICANS
Desperate Offers Big Reward
for the Head of Governor
Who Had Sought to Cap
ture Outlaw and Associate

should the United States become Of
fensive to japan and a declaration of
war follow, an ordinary gunbOat from
the Mikado's fleet could easily enter
the harbor of Manila under the cover
oi night and force the Philippine cap
itai into subjectiOn-provfded, of
course, that the American war vessels
were not conveniently at hand to thwart
the plans of the little brown men. This
Is the opinion, boldly expressed, of COM
mander Frederick w. Coffin of the
United States navy, who IL at the Occi-
dental Hotel.
Colin arrived on the last steamer from
the philippines. He Is on a mission to
washington and expects to return to Ma
Mia In few weeks. Just what this mis-
SION is ne refuses to say, but yesterday
ne showed no hesitancy in his criticisms
or the condition of affairs in the newly
acquired American possessions in the Far
East, and especially as regards the lack
OF provisions for the defense of the
islands,
Commander Coffin has been in the Phil
lpplnes the greater part of the time since
the Spanish American war; holding vari-
Gus positions and latterly as commandant
of the navy yard at Cavite While un-
willing to concede that any nation could
long withhold the Philippines from the
American navy he did admit, during an
interview yesterday, that we could offer
only weak defense if any of the great
naval powers started out to take possess
sion of the islands.
AT present" said he. there is not
gun mounted around the harbor of Ma
Mia. and, without the protection OF our
naval vessels, Cavite and the city of
Manila would be absolutely at the mercy
of foreign warship. | believe this is
The first time within the history of the
Islands, for al least a century, that guns
have not frowneG down upon the waters
of Manila bay. The Spanish. at all times,
had their guns mounted but we haven't
a single one ready for action.
NAVY is SOLE PROTECTION.
''The naval fleet is the only protection
the people' of Manila have. When you
consider the Breadth of the harbor and
the easy access it affords to war vessels,
in the event sof trouble. it is easy to
lima gine sthe necessity of having the en-
tranee gof the bay property guarded, by
Notifications on the islands at Its mouth, i
and Upon the elevations at Cavite and on
the opposite side"
Commander Coffin, says the Govern
ment is at present devoting almost all
Of its funds in constructing roads and
and some of the latter, he
says, will not be appreciated by the
natives for many years to
come. Among naval men, he says, the
theory seems to prevail that an attempt !
to civiliZe the Eilipinos by modern
American methods is not the success
that people at home are inclined to be-
ieve, and he doubts whether the Fill
pinos will ever be loyal to the Ameri-
cans.
'.rhey have not taken kindly to our |
system of taxation" said Coffin, "and |
you hear natives on all sides saying |
before the Spanish were forced to re- |
inquish their control.
SUBDUING MARAJDERS.
"And then you hear a lot about sub |
luing the bands of marauders, but |
here are still thousands of these thiev- |
ng bands at large and ready for any
Kind of treacherous work. Just before I
left Manila the Government was hav-
ng trouble with two desperadoes
lanled Felizardoer and Montelon, chiefs
# tribes of ladfopes, and a reward of |
$500 was offered for the capture of the |
.wo fellows. Barely had the reward |
been announced before Felizardo. in
urn, offered reward of $4,000 for the
lead of Governor Shanks and some of
hose desperate natives would soon pot |
he Governor If he was not properly |
protected while travelling about
Commander Coffin says the only sal
yation for the Philippines. In so far as I
progress is concerned. will be the free /
admission of Chinese, who are ready to /
abor, while the natives of the Philip /
,ines stubbornly persist In leading
Ives of Incidence.