New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-11
If Laws Are Inadequate,
Amend Them, Secretary
of War Urges.
REPORTS 1886 MEN
IN THE u. S. ARMY
Finds Law Does Not Offer In
ducements Enough for En-
listment of Reserves.

Washington, Dec t0.-The Secretary of
War I'm his annual report says that
law on the question of slavery In the
Philippines. charges of the existence OF
which have been made by Dean I.
Worcester. formerly Secretary Of the In
terror of the Philippine Islands, has been
passed by both houses of the Legislature
The measures adopted differ and are now
pending adjustment. Information TO TINS
effect has been received quite recently
Before this information arrived Secretary
Garrison wrote for his report that 1T
is in order TO determine If the laws oil
the islands are adequate 10 meet the
conditions alleged to exist If not, the
laws should be amended. II 1t is
found that the existing law is adequate
then It should be adequately enforced
Concerning the future of the islands
Mr.. Garrison has little to say. He quotes
the message from the President delivered
10 the Filipnos promising independence,
and says that there is evidence that this
pronouncement has been we'll received
both in the United States and in the
Philippines. He also says:
THE step in advance announced there
in. which has now been taken, will be
carefully observed. Those best acquainted
with conditions in the islands anticipate
no evil consequences therefrom.'
Mr.. Garrisons remarks concerning the
slavery charges are as follows:
THE Senate on May 1. 1Sl3 passed the
following resolution:
Resolved, that the Secretary Of War
be and is hereby directed TO send TO the
Senate any and all facts bearing directly
or indirectly upon the truth Of the charge
publicly made that human slavery exists
at this time in the Philippine Islands
and that human beings are bought and
sold in such islands as chattels.'
I'm the debate preceding the passage OF
this resolution there was read part OF a
letter from Mr.. Dean c. Worcester the
Secretary Of the Interior of the Philippine
Islands. which constituted, in part at
least. the basis for the resolution.
There had been other public references
TO this and an official reference In the an
nual report Of Mr. Worcester as Secretary
Of the Interior for 1912.
Records Of Allegations, but No Facts.
1T was found there were in the War
Department records of allegations, but no
facts which bore on the truth of the ale
cations. nor was Il found that there was
any authoritative opinion or court decis-
ion which went to the adequacy of exist
ing law in the Philippine Islands TO meet
conditions which were alleged to exist,
and reply to this effect was made to the
Senate,
Later Mr.. Worcester submitted print
ed report designed to justify the position
which he had previously taken on this
matter and in which he alleged in con-
siderable detail the existence of slavery,
peonage and the barter OF human beings
in the Philippine Islands recitng that
such conditions had existed for a number
of years. and that his efforts to bring
about correction had not met the support
which he felt they were entitled to-
ut is needless at this time TO go into
this matter. Governor General Harrison
has arrived in the Philippine Islands. and
II is In order TO determine II the laws OF
the islands are adequate TO meet the con-
ditions alleged to exist II not, the laws
should be amended. Even the absence OF
the conditions alleged would hardly JUS
tify the failure 10 enact provisions MAX
ing such conditions impossible. II it is
found that the existing law is adequate
then It should be adequately enforced
"Since writing the foregoing the de-
partment has been advised that a law
on this subject has passed both houses
OF the Philippine Legislature. with slight
differences, which are now pending ad-
justment."
The Secretary makes no recommended
tions for the generally expected rearrange-
ment of army posts to distribute troops in
mobile units. He says that other things
OF immediate importance. particularly an
adequate supply of field artillery" will
postpone his recommendations to Con-
gress, but in the mean time the troops
Will be garrisoned in as practical a man
ner for mobilization as is possible.
Mr.. Garrison in dicussng the militia
says;
Reserve System Important.
"The national importance Of reserve
system for the organized militia cannot
be questioned. The minimum strength at
which militia organizations are main