The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-12-07
Secretary of War Reports That
Filipino Bandits Are BecOm-
ing Good Citizens.
PEOPLE REC0NCILED TO
AUTHORITY OF UNCLE SAM
Exports Show Islanders Are Be.
coming Prosperous and More
Industrious.

! WASHINGTON, Dec. s.-The report OF
the secretary OF war upon his recent
visit TO the Philippine islands has just
been issued by the war department Dur
ing the secretary's stay in the islands,
from july "a to September s. he Inspect
! ed practically all the public institutions
and army posts and held many public
hearings. The administration OF the va :
rous departments were found to be in
a generally satisfactory condition.
| The secretary of war speaks very sym
| pathetlcally OF the aspirations Of the Fill
| pino people for independence and says
| that the public expression is very gem
eral in favor OF same, but that many OF
| the conservative and most substantial
men would view such result with con-
| Sternation.
Referring to the fitness OF the Filipino
people for self government. he SAYS:
There are very many highly educated
| Fiipinos-many men of talent, ability
and brilliancy-but the percentage in
comparison with those who are wholly
unframed in an understanding Of. and
the exercise Of. political rights under a
| republican form OF government is so
small. and under the best and most rapid
development possible under existing con-
ditions Will for a long period continue
so small that II Is delusion. II the
present policy OF control OF the islands
by the American people shall continue,
hope that the administration Of the is
lands VIII be turned over to them within
the time of the present generation
Civilizing the Widest.
Peace law and order prevail through
out the islands. Ladrones or robber
bands are almost If not entirely sup,
pressed. and the head hunting tribes OF
Bontoc. who a year ago were engaged In
taking heads. are now devoting them
selves TO agriculture and other peaceful
pursuits and enjoying the comforts of
life. All the Wild tribes are beginning
to see and appreciate what is being done
for them.
The legislative assembly. though con-
trolled by the Nacionaista party, which
was organized In opposition TO those who
favored American control, has enacted
laws for the promotion OF developWent
and progress along lines advocated by
the governor general. showing that re-
sponsibility steadics action. They have
been liberal In their support Of cduca-
ton and internal improvement.
is being manifested In education on the
part of young and old. and the burden
Of taxation is cheerfuly borne. Good
progress is being made in learning the
English language.
Some Filipino Officers.
The constabulary consists Of S22 Off
GERS and 445l enlisted men operating
from 1873 stations. While most OF the
officers are Americans. there are num-
Der OF Filipino officers. and IL is the
policy TO IN vacancies by their appoint
ment as rapidly as they meet the re-
quirements. The constabulary is valu-
able in various ways besides serving as
military force TO keep order and suppress
It is maintained SO much more chesply
than American soldiers or Philippine
scouts that the secretary is consider
conversion OF the scouts and constahu-
larry into one body. which he believes
will save about 81 600 900 a year to the
United States government.
The secretary dwells al some length
upon his Investigations relative to the
recent sale of friar lands. which was
given much notoriety in the last session
OF congress and the public press. but
ments then made.
The number OF Filipino employees in
the civil service is shown 70 be steadily
increasing ard that of Americans pro-
policy Of the administration to proceed
rapidly as the good OF the service will
permit in increasing the Filipino en-
ployees.
Artestan wells in the islands now num-
ber 429. and a marked Improvement in
the health conditions is noted where
these wells are In use.
The agricultural industry has been al
most Frustrated in many portions OF the
islands through loss Of work animals by
rinderpest a specific preventive by In
pCul6tlOH mas Deen IOuTOs ana IIe disease
Is now well under control.
People More Enterprising.
There has been marked development
in the disposition Of the people OF the
Islands TO exert themselves and to as
sumo tax burdens for the purpose of
securing good roads.
There are now 3100 miles of roads
under the administration Of mupicipalI-
ties. ss2 miles of first class under the
control OF provinces. and 46 miles under
that OF the insular government
Many miles OF mountain trail have
been constructed. which promote inter
course between people of the various
sections, and In that way have civiliz-
sections hitherto almost inaccessible.
Practically all the lepers have been
segregated and transported to. the leper
colony on the Island OF Culion, where
there are now about 5000. Apparent
cures have been effected by the use of
chaumoogra oil and further investiga-
tlons are being conducted.
The secretary found much of interest
at the penal colony AT Iwahig. on the
Island OF Palawan. where thousands of
criminals live together on penal reser-
walton OF 27o square miles In peace. and
carry on industrial and agricultural pur-
suits under an administration largely
controlled by themselves The prisons
amined. and the cleanliness. sanitary pro-
visions, ventilation, and food and its
preparation. were found 10 be beyond
criticism.
The financial condition of the islands
is very satisfactory. there being sur
plus Of s6.39a 79S.5 5e.
Agricultural Bank Not Success.
The Agricultural bank appears not to
nave been OF the assistance TO agricul-
turists which was anticipated from its
creation This has been due TO various
reasons. principal OF which is defective
titles to property offered rs security or
the 5S5 applications for loans. 453 were
refused. principally on account of defec-
tive titles, The total amount loaned up
to June 30, 1910. aggregated s142. .225.
An inspection OF the railroads shows
them 10 be we'll constructed and well
maintained. with rolling stock and equip
ment In hrst-rate condition, and the
companies were, making every effort to
CASTCRIA
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