The Washington times., 1914-11-09
ROW IN PHILIPPINES
OVER JURISDICTION
Governor General Harrison and
NGeenraI Riggs Appeal to War
Secretary for Ruling.

Gen. Clinton L. Riggs. of Baltimore, is
| the central figure in warm row which
| has developed among members of the
Philippine Commission over questions
| Of policy and administration. AS secre-
tarv of commerce and police in the
Philippine commission, the Baltimore
, man has quarreled with Governor Gen
eral Francis Burton Harrison over the
question as to which of the two has
supreme Jurisdiction over the Philippine
constabulary, which polices the islands.
In this controversy, which was sub
mitted to Secretary of War Garrison
for a ruling, the latter sided with Gov
ernor General Harrison. Secretary Gar
rison declared today that as far as he
knew his ruling had settled the trouble,
and that there was no other trouble.
From inquiries made among officials
of the Insular Bureau of the War De-
partment, however, it was learned that
peace has not been altogether restored,
and that General Riggs is at odds with
other members of the commission.
Quarrel With Others.
With Winfred T. Denison, secretary of
the interior in the Philippine Commits
sion, General Riggs is reported to have
quarreled on the score that the latter
had attempted to draft legislation al
fecting his. General Riggs department,
without consulting him. This Mr.. Den
ison has denied Victorino Mapa, secre-
tary of finance and justice. native
Filipino, is reported to have refused to
have direct dealings with General Riggs.
Secretary Garrison declared today that
he knew nothing of these other troubles.
although, as a result of them, Cover
nor General Harrison is reported to
have cabled Washington asking that
General Riggs be removed from office.
Secretary Garrison declared that all
some time ago the question arose be-
tween Governor General Harrison and
General Riggs as to the Jurisdiction Of
each over the Philippine constabulary.
He cabled back to General Harrison, he
explained. asking what the trouble was
about, and received letters from both
men showing that on August Is the act
ing chief of the conSta Dulary, hearing
that an uprising was threatened, sent
force Of the constabulary to a certain
point in Manila.
1t turned out that in the opinion Of
many persons in Manila, there was no
occasion for such demonstration
whereupon Governor General Harrison
requested the acting chief not to take
such steps in the future without con-
sulting him. To this General Riggs
took exception on the ground that he
and not the governor general has su-
preme authority in such matters.
Decided BY Manual
"Whilo il is unfortunate that such d
conflict Of authority exists. said the
Secretary u was forced to decide from
the manual governing the constabulary,
that while the secretary of commerce
and police was given jurisdiction over
all questions Of supplies, cOmmissdry,
and transportation for the COnstabulary
the governor general was in effect the
cumnander-in-Chi of the cOnstabulary.
AS far as ! know, that closed the Incl |
dent
In unoffcial dispatches from the is
lands il is reported that another row
broke out because General Riggs had !
refused 90 sign q resolution indorsing
the Jones Philippine bill, designed to
provide machinery for the early indc-
pendence of the Philippines. This re-
port Secretary Ga rriSon was inclined 10
discredit on the 2round that the que
ton had never arisen ag 10 the general
Of the Jones bill by the
member for his private confidential
views concerning the measure. Such
views. he stated, he had received from
all Of them He declined to state the
Dosition assumed by General riggs TO-
ward the legislation.
The controversy IS likely to prove en-
barrassin gto the Administration IL il
keeps up. for tie reason IL at General
Riggs and all other members, including
the governor general, were named TO
their places by President Wilson