The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-01-05

ISLANDS ARE PRosPER|Ne NICELY


of self government, signs of returning
prosperity after the great typhOon, be-
ginning of railway construction, need
of free trade with the United States
and large investments of American
capotal are the salient points in the
annual report of the Philippine COM
mission.
Under the head of Peace and Or
DER the report says:
1t is stated that the remnant of the
bands of ladrones which have infested
the provinces of Cavite and Batangas
in the neighbOrhoOd of Manila, since
the Spanish regime have been finally
broken up, one of the most desperate
leaders killed and the others to the
number of twelve were so bounded by
the cOnstabulary that they came in and
voluntarily surrendered without any
condition, promise. or inducement on
the part of the government other than
that they would be protected in COM
ing to Manila and receive fair trial.
These men have been tried before
Filipino Judge and have been shown to
be guilty, without exception, Of the
most fiendish and cruel murders ami
shocking mutilatiOns, and all but one
high sounding titles in an imaginary
were sentenced to death, ne being SEN
fenced to thirty years Imprisonment.
All of these leaders of outlaws took
Filipino republic or religious organic
alton calculated to impress the ignor-
ant natives and gain a following. With
the surrender of the constituted leaders
the lawless and disaffected were quick
by surrendering their arms and enter
ing peaceful pursuits.
These two provinces have always
been the storm center of ladrOnism, but
now that peace once more reigns and
life and property are safe, the people
snow unbounded relief and their con-
fidence in the permanency Of these con-
ditions is attested by the fact that
they have placed under cultivation a
larger acreage of land than ever before.
will be very little further trouble and
has leased from the bureau Of lands
nearly 1900 acres of land in an out
lying district, close to the mountains,
hitherto infested by outlaws.
Outlaw Who Plays Prophet.
The only disturbance in Northern
Luzon was caused by one Salvador,
who has posed as prophet, wears long
hair for effect, and has selected a re-
ligious fanaticism as the guise under
which to work his depredations. He
styles himself the head of the Holy
Church." and the followers of this
movement are drawn from the most
ignorant and superstitious people, VINO
are devout and prayerful in their re-
ligiOus observances, but in many of the
rites of this organization indecency
and RIGHTEOUSNESS prevail. By secur-
ing forecasts from the weather bureau
in Manila and thus being able to pre-
dict the approach of storms, moods, etc.
he has created among the ignorant fol-
lowers belief that he possesses divine
AMI prophetic power. A band led by
Salvador rushed the sonstabulary bar
racks in the town Of Malolos and killed
a sentinel and captured a few guns
They made other similar attempts. but
failed and were so bold as to try
issues with a small detachment of con-
stabulary and were scattered to the
-four winds, two of the principal lead
ers and many of their followers killed,
most Of their arms captured, and Sal
vadOr forced to seek safety in
the swamps. and at present he is ne
gOtiating for a surrender.
OF conditions in Samar the report
says:
At the time of the last report it was
thought that the worst was over in
Samar, as many of the pulahanes Call
| tribes) had surrendered and come in
with their guns, and that a just and
humane policy would bring it's proper
results. Governor Curry has made re-
markable progress in securing the
sympathy and cooperation of the peo-
| pie.
Fraud in Local Elections.
! OF the municipal elections held in
December, 1905, a large number were
protested, and many annulled by the
provincial boards because of frauds, in
Limitations or liberty, and new cleo
tons ordered.
Fifteen Of the provincial elections
| were also protested on variouS grounds
such as purchase of votes, coercion and
intimidation of voters, allowing nom
qualified persons to vote, use of mark
ed ballots, ETC., and the governor
general ordered new elections in sever
al provinces in which it was ascer-
tanned that the will Of the people had
not been fairly expressed. The free
choice of these officials has necessarily
been an experiment and is preliminary
to the exercise of the still further i'm
pOrtant duty of electing their repre-