Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-18

special ability, and they are many, are pro-
noted and encouraged TO greater usefulness
in all tactful ways.
This question OF language is a difficult
one, but 1t is solving itself In order that
the constabulary may be efficient univer-
sally and as available in one island as in
another, common mode of speech IS !eces-
sary, When first enlisted recruits from the
different provinces could not talk together
owing to the difference in the dialects, but
a new local polyglot dialect has developed,
which all use without difficulty and when
has its part in welding them into a homo
geneous mass. 1t had its origin among the
regular Filipino troops. These at present
constitute a force of five thousand, which
was enlisted for period of four years I'M
der the bill passed by Congress in January,
1903. They consisted almost entirely of
natives who had been employed as volun-
teer scouts during the instruction and
were augmented by enlistments, +or the
period named, similar to the enlistment OIL
soldiers IN the United States. Their officers
were made UP almost entirely from hon
commissioned officers of the regular army,
and after two years of drill and instruc-
ton they form an excellent body OF we'll
instructed and weil-dfscplfned native troops.
They are entirely distinct from the con-
stabulary. however. They cooperate with
1t when necessary and perform largely the
same functions At present twenty-nine Of
the scout companies are engaged thus. No
friction thus far has developed between
the two branches of the service, both men
and officers the latter being old army ac-
quaintances fraternizing amicably and CO.
scout companies at present is being de-
bated, but If the emulation and rivalry
prove beneficial to the general service they
undoubtedly will be continued on the pres
ent plan. and possibly Increased If not,
they will be taken over and absorbed In the
constabulary. They now are divided into
fifty companies of one hundred men each.
X X
The supply department, whose organiza-
ton, like all the others, is being pushed as
rapidly as may be, includes the paymas-
ters quartermasters. conmissary's ord
nance, telegraph and medical divisions.
Civil supply stores have been established in
each province throughout the archipelago
for the comfort and convenience Of officers
and men; They all are supplied from the
constabulary commissary department in
Manila. All the telegraph lines of the
country ere under one head official the
army officer at first appointed to this work
having been replaced by civilian Of wide
experience. The military lines which still
remain are being turned over to this Of
ficials management rapidly as crcum-
stances and the supply of operators will
permit
The medical department includes four
medical officers with the rank Of captain
surgeon ten Eeutenants as medical in
spectors and a certain number of nom
medical service corps.
This Is the present status of the Philip
pine constabulary. the organization upon
which we are to depend in the future for
holding a vast territory and the alien mil
lions of a captive country under control.
There Is no doubt that the quickness with
which the organization has been effected,
and the smoothness with which It already
works reflect much credit upon Gen. Allen,
its chief, and his assistant chiefs, Coils.
Scott, Baker, Bandholtz and Hartford It's
best element is the promise of full effec-
The salient question, the value and depend
ableness of the rank and file, has been
solved satisfactorily. The Improvement of
the troops under discipline and training Is
steady and rapid. They respect their for
eign leaders, intelligent and ambitious
as class. and, for the present at least.
manifest no desires except those which
make for peace and progress.
AN OFFICER OF THE ADMIN1sTRA-
TION.