Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-01-17
The Annual Report Of the
Commissioners.
Conditions Constantly Improv.
ing Under American Rule.
Problems Discussed and Various Re.
commendations Made.

a. ti'e people came 10 Understand that
the government had both the ability
and the will 10 protect Them. they be-
gan to cooperate cordially with the
conStabulary and other peace officers
by giving information against the law
less 50 that it became possible to kill or
capture them. AS Il result the report
says not a single organized band of Ia
dronts is now to be found in the island
OF LuZon; that nearly all the leaders
save five or six have been killed or
captured and that the same may be
said of the Nisnyan Islands. with the
exception of Sdillar. The Commission
adds that there is no reason 10 suppose
that orderly conditions will be other
wise than permanent. The relations
between Americans ANA F'ilipinos are
said to be generally cordial with a
steady growth Of confidence ana good
feeling between them. "Al those who
are justly entitled to be called leaders
Of public opinion among the t'ilipinos. :
the report continues. have definitely
east their 10, With the Americans"
Regarding lie Moros. the report says
the great area OF the Moro province.
which includes practically all of the
island Of Mndinao ana the Sulu archi-
pelago, except for $1,000 f'ilipinOs.
spoken of as descendants of convicts
sent from the North by Spanards. is
inhabited by MoroS protesting Moham-
mechanism and by other mon-ChriStian
tribes. The authority of the Sultan of
Sule WAS found upon investigation to
be repudiated by DatoS in Sulu archi-
pelago who possessed as much author
ity as he although he was the titular
mead of the MornS. The. report SAYS:
From time immemorial the Moros
have practiced polygamy. and have
been accustomed to make raids upon
other mont christian tribes to repl,niSh
their stock of slaves. as we'll as to en-
gage in piracy. while the Arabs taught
them the use of fire arms. The nom
Christian tribes of the province as soon
as they understood the Americans
would protect tipoh against their an
clent enemy. the MoroS. We're only too
willing to recognize American authority
and receive the benefits of its protec-
ton. In 4 number of instances they
have been induced to establish them
selves in villages aud To till the ada
cent soil. They are said not to be lack
ing in Intelligence"
In speaking Of the abropation Of the
treaty with the Sultan Of Sulu the re-
port says:
"Wl ilst il had never been recognized
as valid and binding. ana indeed rs II
the provision relating 10 slavery ht,l
been repudiatsd by the President, still
1t tdC been lilrt up to by the A1.nri-
cans Al every particular. including the
payment of annual subsidies To til,
Sultan and his principal datos. but il
had becn systematically and persistent
ly violated by them
TIL" report says that a pacific policy
toward the Moro; seemed to givu ,cni
the imprcSsiol the Americans were
afraid of them but Il short decisive
campaign gave them to understand
that the Americans had not only the
purpose but III. power to support its
authority and enforce order.
There is no reason" it is added. 10
expect any further trouble with the
Sulu MOrOS."
Referring t. the conference With he
Sultan Of Sulu at Manila. tn" rcr"rc
SAYS that upon his eNnlanIttau thIt il,..
annuln-iit of the treaty left hi',i with
out means Of subsistence. h" being de-
prived Of the revenues received as sui
tan the commission thought il would
be ineuuitable to permit this and
agreed 10 give MIN ANA tn" members of
his household li.nno pesos annually.
with the understanding that he and
| they give every AID to tn" government.
1t was found UIon investigation that
the Suiu Mnrn- have no general SE<-
tom II laws v..rh tribe having an uIi-
written code Of its own. but All 50 in
| toncrunuS as To make them worthless
~ a basis urpn which to build. As An
Illustration il is stated that in some Of
the codes murder j. punishable by 4
small fine and IN cases Of adultery the
man j. fine! a,li The woman buried
alive
With reference 10 the frar lands the
commission, after repeating n" state
| mcntS heretofore made ~ to oprnSi
| ton Oh tie par of a majority Of tn"
Filipinos 10 tn" fliars. SAYS:
The Holy Soc. recognizing that
the Filipinn@ W"r". generally si'"aking.
Roman catholics and tn" wi'i"m "I
supplying them with priests who would
b- accnptabl. /" them. mas Arp"intcd
| IA American archbishop and bishops
| no hav" tLh"n IA" places formerly
| occupied by spanish churrhm"n and
has pursued The wise and c"Ilcjliat"rH
policy of declining t" f"rcr objection
| able priests uIon reluctant I,arishi"n-
er: and has brought its great influence
| Ia bear IA facilitating the purchase by
the government OF The l,rg" landed
| properties undrr the control Of the friar
orders
Til" report SAYS there still continues
| Ia ~, much controversy and ill-feeling
| between IL" independent Filipino
church-or .AelipaNdus. as they are
commonly call"i-aud the Roman
| Catholic Apostolic church in regard to
the ownership az churches converts
ANA cemeteries iu many localities. The
report SAYS il Has been charged that the
movement iniusurated by AglipAy was
political rather than religious ard had
| for its motives another Instruction
| AMI that it * unqueStiouably true that
he has attracted i ltrg" following Of
| the irrccouCillhle. restless element
| among the Filipinns hut il is also true
| that ne has 4 large following among