The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1914-02-21
BRIGHT future
FOR F|L|PN0S
Pershing Says Moros Are
Quiet Now-An Their
Ways are of Peace

San Francisco, Feb. 19.-Brigadier
General John j. Fershing. U. S. A..
who has just reached San Francisco
from the Philippines. is optimistic re-
garding the future Of the Filipinos.
general, whose work in the Phil
ippines has been so effective rs to win
wide comnendation, believes that no
further rebellions are possible in the
Moro province. He said:
MY service among the. Moros and
pagan tribes began i'll 1900. when 1
spent four years in their midst. Re-
turning there in 1909 at my own re-
quest, my enure Of Office rs COVER
nor of the Moro province has cover
ed another period of something over
four years. ending December Is last.
Mako Great Progress.
During this latter period a great
progress has been made in many
ways toward the civilization Of these
wild people,. Having hitherto been
to bear arms they had de-
fled the government and had pre-
governmental control. Lawless arm
ed bands roamed the country COM
hitting all sorts of crimes and pre-
venting those who would be peaceful
from becoming so.
"Radical as 1t appeared. the only
course that offered any possibility of
permanent peace was complete dis
armament Of those who opposed US
This was undertaken in the autumn
Of 1911 with the full approval Of
Governor General Forbes. then at the
head of the civil government in the
Philippines. The provincial council
surrendered and ALLOWED the people
three months time in which to turn
in arms and receive pay for them.
Many influential Moros complied
with the edict. but there was very
determined opposition in some parts
of the province, especially in Lanao,
Island Of Mindenao and in Jolo, Sulu
archipelago.
Contabulary Enforces Law.
The organic act of the provinces
contains q provision by which the
civil authorities ma S troops at
any time upon presenting a request
The military forces and the con-
stabulary were called upon to en-
force the disarmament. Friendly
Moros assisted, and all arms were
gathered in by June of last year. ex-
cept those in the hands OF the band
that made the final stand at Mount
Bagsak. ~.
THAT was the last important clash
we have had, and it ended the ques-
ton for good and all. Submission to
law and authority is complete. Over
1000 stand of arms. most Of them
breechloaders, have been taken up.
Only the wiser Moros at first came
to our assistance, but now all fully
appreciate the benefits OF peace.
Both Moros and pagans realize that
they are cur in their persons and
in the quiet possession Of their
property. and have begun to take a
new interest in agriculture and pub
lie improvements.
Eyes. it will be permanent. unless
some one attempts to interfere with
the Mohammedan religion, which has
not heretofore been done.
Wants Civil Officers.
cover a year ago I recommended
that civil provincial officials be ap-
pointed instead of military officers.
as the latter change so frequently
that a permanent policy is next to
impossible. The government Of the
Moros is depneden. upon the per-
sonality of the official Immediately
over them These are the district
of the five districts into
tho province is divided. I
have succeeded during the last two
years in finding some splendid young
men for these places. Their tenure
of Office will he more or less perma-
nent, and as they are in sympathy
with the development. OF these wards,
success is highly probable" "