New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-01

at Cebu and at IOilo. and one is now
being finished at Zamboango These mean
much, and in addition we have construct
ed wharves at various points. have chart
ed and put lighthouses on the coasts and
have made all kinds OF improvements
hospitals. schools. warehouses, artesian
wells. office buildings. bridges and roads.
Then there are the sanitary condi-
tons. which had TO be looked after-in-
deed. since the American occupation the
whole country has been revamped. until
to-day Manila is as healthy place to
live In as can be found anywhere in the
world; only I'M what would correspond to
our sums are the old ways still to be
seen. The natives take TO the changes
and are always anxious 10 improve their
manner OF life.
The pacification OF the islands is com
plete. think that ii compares fayorably
with the United States. and the troops
are needed only for the occasional out
breaks, just as they are needed In the
West to control the Indians. The situa-
ton is not much different.
Now and again We have had trouble
with the Moros. They are natural born
fighters. and splendid ones at that. They
would rather fight than do anything else
and yet they are being trained 10 take up
farming and abandon their long habits of
warfare Jolo, which ~ pronounced as
though il were spelled 'Holo.' Is the worst
section. and We have had to disarm the
natives generally Ia prevent trouble.
The civil authorities are entirely able
I g., nd IA
only needed for the purpose that ! have
mentioned. There is no necessity for a
military government. The people are SUI
ficiently civilized TO understand that they
are being well governed and are fairly m
telligent. although largely uneducated.
THE islands are generally prosperous
but much upset now, because no one
knows the exact relation between the
United states and the islands, or exactly
what the present administration proposes
10 do. There will bee little opportunity
FOR Americans until these matters are set
tied and once settled. there will bc all thu
opportunity in the world.
THE trade now is distributed among
many nations - Americans Spanards
English. German and Chinese-and very
few Americans have come in during the
last few years. Unless they happen 10
have government places. the Americans
are those who have been left over since
the first occupation.
THE most pressing need OF the Philip
pines to-day is an adequate registration
OF land titles. We have adopted the Tor
rens system but there remains an enor-
nous work stil to be done in this diroc-
tion.
THE friar lands question has been wei
worked out by Mr. sleeper. the director OF
lands. and no is permitting the tenants
io buy their ground upon very small and
very easy payments. which means much e
the natives.
Generally speaking, however the most
important work ~ my administration ha,
been In the civilization ~ .he savages and
and to take 10 peaceful employments. the
/ prin -pal credit OF this is due to Dean G.
Worcester.
Il have been charged with waste and
extravaganza I'm the management Of the
islands: this deny absolutely. and I nave
elsewhere dore so more carefully and I'M
detail but | challenge comparison OF the
government with that Of the United States
or anywhere else.
There has been absolutely no graft OF
any kind the charges that were made
were not substantiated, and every one ~
the persons SO charged were acquitted
Many OF these representations have been
entirely malicious.
81 know that the United States is fully
ca pable Of governing and has governed the
Philippine Islands most efficiently. and |
have every confidence that such will con-
tinue II the present systems are undis-
turbed
IL am not prepared to say what will
be the outcome Of complete change OF
officers In the islands. such as il Is
rumored that the Wilson administration
contcmplates. for that IS coming too close
~ 10 n criticism Of Washington, and |
feel that they should work out their own
problems. since they have undertaken
them"
Mr.. Forbes was appointed Governor
General In 1909. and on August % last
sent his resignation TO Washington, 10
take effect on September I, having been
apprised unofficially that Francis Burton
Harrison, OF New York. had been APP
pointed In his stead.