The Detroit times., 1912-02-20
OFFICIAL ROTTENNESS
IN MANILA EXPOSED
Philippines Free Press Terms
Fight of Capt. j. +. Green
One For Decency

The Times has received card from
+. A. Coddington, formerly OF Nor
enci. this state, but for some time
engaged In the government service
in the Philippines. Mr.. Coddington In
now on his way back TO the United
States. His message was dated In
Amsterdam. Feb. 3. and said: Last
week, through Siberia and Russia,
Saturday and Sunday in Moscow. Mon
day in Warsaw; Tuesday. Wednes-
day and Thursday, Berlin; leave Mon
day for London and New York"
Mr.. Coddington sent The Times a
copy of the Philippines Free Press,
published at Manila, which gives some
startling and interesting Information
in regard to the official rottenness in
Manila and the brave and losing fignt
for decency on the part OF Capt. John
+. Green, formerly of Texas, and until
a few months ago actively connected
With the official life OF the Philippine
capital. At the time he was forced
by the opposition OF enemies and i'll
health to resign, Captain Green was
Inspector and assistant police or the
city, and for a time had been acting
chief of police.
Speaking OF Capt. Green, the Phil
ippine paper says; Two weeks ago
there sailed from these islands an
official OF this government whom II
could i'll afford 10 lose. In the fact OF
his going and all that there is behind
1t, there lies the story-the tragic
and pathetic story, of an uphill fight
against corruption and crime-of a
In N
in body, striving TO serve the people
and apparently baffied by the forces
In league against him by and with the
connivance or indifference OF many OF
those from whom he had every right
to expect active and whole-hearted
cooperation. In the resignation Of
John F. Green, WHO was inspector and
assistant chief OF police OF the city
of Manila and for time acting chief
OF police, the record of the American
administration in these islands had
placed upon 1t one of the blackest
and most shameful blots in its his
tory--a blot which it can never wholly
obliterate."
LIN another place the Philippines
Free. Press says:
Gould some one of those gifted
magazine writer's of the United States
take the story of Capt! John +. Green
and his heroic, heart-breaking strug-
gle on behalf of the citizens OF
Manila and the good name OF the
American government in these ISL
ands, and present 1t with all Of It's
cruel tragedy and heartrending path
os, there would be a grim tightening
of he lips and an ominous lowering
OF the brows on the part OF many a
good citizen of Manila, and such a
wave of revulsion as would sweep be-
fore ii all those responsible for his
undoing no matter how high up"
they might be.
The story is that OF the fight OF
one good man against one of the worst
gangs OF wolves that, under the
shadow of the law. ever fastened their
fangs in the vitals OF city, There
is scarcely anything in the red-lined
calendar of crime of which they were
not guilty.
TO clean up this gang Of thugs
and scoundrels and give the people
OF Manila a clean city government,
was the task that Capt Green set
himself And, as a result OF the
apathy, indifference, and active op-
position on the part of certain of
ficials from whom he had every right
TO expect cordial cooperation, and on
top of that decision OF the courts
which had the effect OF practically