Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-11-02

| y FL which the United states hao
10 face when it assumed
guardianship of the little brown men
that so thickly inhabit the group. II
expense had been the only considera'
ton the solution would have been COM
| paratively easy. But sanitary condi-
tons and a certain amount of diplo-
macy and tact made the solution
doublJ complicated. To station Amer
lean troops permanently throughout
| the islands would at that time nave
| been a source from which an inherit
ed hatred Of foreigners by the ma
| tives would have grown, and to expose
those same troops, unacclmated and
unhardened to the dampness OF the
rice marshes, would have meant the
loss OF perhaps thousands.
Little knowing the American sol
diers at first, the natives transferred
their hatred from the departed Span.
iards to their new rulers, and those
who did not hate preserved a stoi-
cism impossible 10 break. 1t made the
authorities query. How could we eN-
pect the natives 10 develop under such
circumstances?
It was lust about the time that the
bandits of the islands had everything
coming their way that the native sol
diery of Porto Rico became fully estab'
lished and was pronounced g marked
success. The idea 1T once appealed tc
Gov. Taft. 1t seemed the only
solution of the problem in spite
of the many obstacles which appeared
as the result of the Investigations.
How the American oHicers oVercame
these obstacles, however, proved not
ONLY. a revelation. but ar easy task.
The had overlooked the fact that the
Philippine islanders like strength,
their ideal in humanity. The Ameri.
can discipline was firm and the Amer
icar soldiers sent to organize the corps
were husky men, and the Filipinos
took TO their ways with the greatest
eagerness.
The duties OF the American co'onia
military police arc much the same as
1nose OF s;:a mounted uoEC2 t@"G0E'
! out the states. cTccpt that the NO.
/ must be not only skilled riders IN,
good soldiers, toctIri energetic ans
fearless. TIE Philippine conscabu!a7%
! assume n; :hcse duties because i'iet
mast preserve order in tho smaller
towas RI he interior as we'll as paJr2
the rural districts.
Outside OF breaking up the bandits
o. the interior districts and PROTECTING
the plantations. the ccustabul2Ty force
r. also confronted each year during the.
dry season with the task OF pacifying
some of the Younger clement or the
! provinces bent Oh adventure when
, takes them 10 the wilGs.
In barracks the routine duties OF
The constabularv are much the same as
| those Of the army Early morning rev.
! ellie is followed by coffee. and after
that comes the stable duties through
which the trim little horses receive
the daily polish which makes their
| coats look so slick. Then comes 20
| minutes of the famous army setting-up
exercises. which makes the most sup
pie and perfect figures out of loose
iointed. round-shouldcred men.
Guard mounting occurs Immediately
after breakfast. This is he lime wien
the various patrols issue forth to fol-
low their beaten tracks. but when 1t
comes to capturing an offender, they
said TO the credit and efficiency of the
corps that the lawlessness which the
Americans first found there has almost
| disappeared.
Drill either mounted or on foot,
takes up the greater part Of the morn
ing, and all except those who are on
guard or have just come Off patrol
duty take part. After that nothing
occurs except at meal times, unless 1t
is the day for weekly dress parade or
some special occasion. Once a week,
also. there is an inspection of. the
mems clothing and property and quar-
tiers.
One of the proudest assets of the
Philippine constabulary is Its band of
50 men which has made itself famous
net only on the Islands, but in Amer
lea and Europe. The islanders are nat.
ural musicians, and in tie effort 10
recruit this band little difficulty vas
! encountered The baud is full con
! cert organization. but i is also thor.
ouehly military VIXEN it axes part in
grard mounts. dress parades ind re-
views
/ ~ .prcsert the organization CT the
constabulary is OF the cavalry class. IL