New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-28
WORCESTER ON
FILIPINO UPRISING
Ricarte Mere Trouble
Maker, Former Secretary
of Interior Says.
REVOLUTIONS MOSTLY
FINANCIAL SWINDLES
Defends American Business Men
Against Charge They Have
Helped Outlaws.

There is no cause for serious alarm
over the recent reports Of an uprising
among the Filipinos. in the opinion Of
Dean {. Worcester. formerly Secretary
OF the Interior Of the Philippines under
Goyernor General Cameron Forbes
Mr. Worcester left the island about q
year ago, soon after the present Gov
ernor General, Francis Burton Harri-
son, took Office.
Since that time Mr. Worcester has
oeen IN constant touch with affairs i'm
the islands, and his wide knowledge OF
Phlllpplne matters has caused the
Philippines Committee OF the Senate 10
call on m 10 speak at hearing on the
Jones bill on Wednesday afternoon.
Referring TO the reports which indi-
Gated a general uprising in the islands.
Mr.. Worcester said:
am inclined 10 discount or zen
eral principles the importance Of any
uprising inspired by Artemio Ricarte.
lie has tried repeatedly TO cause trouble
m the country, but never was success
ful. While ! was Secretary | had
number Of opportunities 10 familiarize
myself with Ricarte's methods as well
as those of other trouble makers The
plan invariably pursued is this:
Agents circulate among the people.
telling them that q revolution is about
10 take place. They convince them that
all IS IN readiness and that annie arm,
and supplies are available. Naturally.
in order to protect himself, the Filipino
would line up with the guns. Then he
would be invited 20 buy himself COM
mission in the great army which he
was led 20 believe already was forming.
The price charged for a colone's
commission Was about So that Of
captain. s., and 20 be a lieutenant cost
81. II was surprising how much money
could be raised in that way. When the
adventurer had accumulated sufficient
funds tho whole revolution would fade
into thin air. Quite frequently a list
OF alleged active revolutionary spirits
would be placed where it could be found
easily by the United States authori-
ties. Usually It contained names Of
those not on good terms with the pro
moter OF the affair
Mr.. Worcester went on 20 explain
that 81 the present trouble had been
reported correctly and without regard
TO political eject. IL nigh. be due 20
the fact that the present administration
had allowed one Of the schcmcrs 20 carry
his plans too far. Or. he said. possibly
the leaders had been carried away with
the idea that they really might accom-
DlIsh something after all. They are
adept ~ ioolug themselves. he said.
he believes that the fact that the in
formation ln the hands OF the United
States Officials is reported 20 have
come from the Philippine constabularr
shows that body Is loyal 10 this gov
elnuc1'. But on one point Mr. Worces-
ter 3. emphatic that no matter how
many Filipipos revolt, they can give no
serious trouble 20 the authorities.
at is not q case OF men. but of
gun" he declared. Great care has
been taken 70 limit the possession of
firearms 10 those who are absolutely
reliable and responsible Il il done
through a system Of gun licenses. The
penalty Tor possessing a gun without
a license is q fine of $3.50 and six
months in Jail"
The absence Of Governor Harrison a.
the time co. the alleged uprising ndi-
risou did not anticipate any trouble
and that matters had been running
smoothly. o. apparently so.
a. time when the Joue- bill is
pending" continued Mr.. Worcester,
"stories Of this sort should be scrutI-
nizcd with especial care. There are
Filpinos opposed 10 the bill who might
start them 20 influence public opinion.
THE charge published this morning
IN New York paper that American
business men In Manila "crc response
BILE for the trouble is prcpOsterOUs.
Il l.-- AFRO o. -oiar rg-por 80 bio uafrIpfIc