The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-10-05
MADE
Concerning
Situation
| IN SOME QUARTERS
L,adronism Recently.
Immediate Indenpen-
esome Questions Yet
SaI Special.-In an in
tew Associated Press
rebrAl yatiye' Secretary of War w.

ing various incidents cf the trip to
Japan, referred to the political situ-
alton in the Philippines, saying:
"The political situation in some re-
spects was not as good as it ought to
be. A wave of ladronism has swept
2 over the province of Cavite, and it has
been found necessary to suspend the
Iwrit of habeas corpus in the province
Cavite and Batangas, the neiShbor
{g province. The same was true of
amar, but the use Of troops on Samar
md the use of the supreme court Of
he United States and constabulary in
Cavite has put an end to this busi-
ness; however, there were Two or three
men responsible for the keeping up
of the ladronism, who had not been
captured. Complaints were made
against the constabulary and while
msty Of them were unfounded, it
Sas probably true that a change in
the constabulary ought to be effected,
and it is now under consideration by
the government. The distressing agri.
cultural depression, due to the loss
of rs per cent. of the agricultural
cattle, drought, locust and the cholera
as well as other causes, will probably
not cease to be for several years. This
naturally subjects the government to
criticism because this alien govern
ment is much more likely to be criti-
cized for existing conditions, however,
free from blame in respect to them,
than native government.
1:Some Of the younger men of edu-
cation have been advocating immed-
late independence. 1t, therefore, be-
came necessary to state with consider
able emphasis the policy of the admin
istration on this subject and to say
that in the opinion of the administra-
ton there was no possible hope for
independence short of generation,
because the people could not be fitted
for self government in that time; In
deed, it will probably take much
longer period.
"The party consisted, as is known,
of democratic as we'll as Republican
senators and congressman, and their
interviews represent al sides Of the
Philippine question, but, with self
restraint and moderation which can
not be too highly commended, 1t was
tacitly agreed between the members
of the congressional party On both
sides that it would be most unwlse
for them to discuss before the Fill
pinos their differences Of opinion, and
therefore that any statement should
be made by the representative OF the
administration as to the policy OF po-
litical administration. Eeuee the
sight of which some Of the irrecon-
eilable Filippinos had hoped for, to-
wit: A constant combat between
Republican and Democratic members,
with the Filipino people as an au-
dienee, was not presented, and l can
not express too emphatically my ap-
probation Of the patriotic stand which
our Democratic brethren took IL this
matter in remitting diffusion OF diff
ferenees of opinion to the proper rep
Yesentatives In congress.
"While the conditions in the Philip
pines are not as favorable as we would
like to have them and probably will
not be favorable until the depressing
conditions shall be followed by pros
porous season, still progress is being
made. The government is more etticl-
ent men are being eliminated and
things are settling to business. Eco
nomy is being practieed more and
more in the government. Filipinos are
being introduced very rapidly to the
place of Americans and on the whole,
in looking back over two years, de-
eided steps forward have been taken.
.sOf the questions which were open
when we started on this trip and IN
the settlement of which it was hoped
the trip might lend aid, one was the
establishment of special tribunal
the hearing of disputed questions IN
! relation to possess ion of churches and
directories and cemeteries. l am glad
10 say THAT before we reached the
Islands a satisfactory law had been
kacted, which, it is hoped, will rap
~ dispose of these cases. The law
ers the issues directly to the su-
: (pe court.
There was also remaining unset
a question about the title to one
of the frair lands-those owned
busly by the Dominican order.
a conference with the represen-
T. (es of the vendors, satisfactory
cSmpromise was effected by which
good title to the lands will be I'M
mediately conveyed to the government
and possession given, as far as that
possession is in the vendors, and the
difference as to price. matter OF
some 100000, will be left to ADJUST
ment by arbitration.
Russo-Japanese Treaty.