New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-03
" God Accepts
Philippine Post;
Will Quit Army
General, a. Manila, Says He
Believes II Is Patriotic
Duty TO Rule the Islands,
Owing TO Grave Situation
Will Assume Place Soon
Asks Secretary Weeks to
Detail Five Members of
Mission as His Assistants

MANILA, Sept. Q (By The Associated
pressl.-Msjor General Leonard Wood
fo~day announced his acceptance of. the
nost of Governor General of the Philip
pines rendered to him by President
Harding.
General Wood notified Secretary Of
War Weeks that he would retire from
the army to accept the governorship.
He said he believed it to be his patri-
otic duty to accept the position. owing
to the seriousness of the situation in
the Philippines
General Wood said he probably would
not ask retirement from the army until
his appointment as Governor General
Of the Philippines had been confirmed
by the Senate.
General Wood gave out the following
statement to-day in connection with
his acceptance:
Il desire to accept the governorship
because / believe the seriousness of
the situation rises superior to my per
sonal wishes. / feel that it is my pa-
triosic duty to accept, and will under
take to assume the duties of the Office
Is soon as possible"
Mission to Sail September 10
According to plans decided upon TO-
day the Wood-Forbes mission will
leave Manila for China on September
10, thence proceeding to Japan and re-
turning here about October 10. w.
Cameron Forbes, who, with General
Wood, has just completed tour of in
yestigation of the islands. probably
will continue to the United States after
leaving Japan.
A synopsis of the MISSIONS report on
conditions in the Philippines will be
cabled to President Harding, it is ex-
pected, before the mission departs
from China. A complete detailed re-
port will be made to President Harding
b. General Wood after his return to
Manila.
General Wood has requested Secre-
tary Of War Weeks to detail Colonies
Frank r. Mccoy, Gordon and Johnston
and Major Edward Bowditch and Lieu
tenant Norman R. Wood to act as as
sistants to the Governor General.
With the exception of Lieutenant Wood.
all these officers who are members Of
the mission saw service in the Philip
pines and are familiar with island con-
dtions. especially in Mindanao and
Sulu, where the Moros are threatening
serious trouble.
Tour of Archipelago Ends
According to plans discussed, Nc
Toy, Johnston and Bowditch will be as
signed to duty in various departments
Oh the lnsular government, while Lieu
tenant Wood will be aid to the Gov
ernor General. Army officers are for
Ridden to hold civil Offices, but the
Governor General may assign them to
duty as assistants in the various de-
partments.
General Wood and Mr.. Forbes
reached Manila yesterday, ending a
four months tour of the archipelago.
The mission has travelled $4,000
miles by steamer, motor, horseback
and afoot. 1t visited forty-fve of the
1orty-seven provinces, conducted pub.
lie hearings in more than q hundred
municipalities, listened to more than
thousand speeches and held private
conferences with many hundreds OF
persons.
Throughout their tour the 'investi.
gators heard expressions of friendli-
eat regard for Americans and graft
tude for what the United States
has accomplished in the development
OF the Filipino peoples A large ma
yority OF the Filipino speakers at pub
nc meetings advocated some form OF
independence under an American pro-
Electorate. Only a few declared fol-
absolute independence and a few
o';as declared themselves satisfied
with the present government The
Mission also received petitions from
mary non-Christian tribes and groups
OF Filipino business men asking that
american sovereignty be continued.
Moros Oppose independence
In the islands of Mindanao and
Sulu, which are inhabited by Moros,
who are Mohammedans, and by Chris
tan Filipinos and Pagan hill tribes,
there was found a wide difference of
opinion on the question of indie
pendence. Virtually all the Moros and
n'l tribesmen, represented by their
oaeos or chiefs, opposed independence
according to speakers at public
meetings.
On the other hand, the Filipinos in
FANFAASCS 1dVOISu lu0SpSnQSuCG.
fetltlons we're presented by the Moros
asking that the islands of Mindanao
ana Sulu be made American territory,
and some of the more radical datos
openly said that they could not be re-
sponslbie for the consequences if their
People were placed under Filipino rule.
The chief grievance of the Moros
was against the present school system.
wnich they believe would ALLEVIATE their
children from the Mohammedan faith.
General Wood and Mr.. Forbes assured
them, however, that religion is not
Taught in the public schools in any
form and advised them to educate
.,heir children as the quickest way to
progress and happiness.
Gn various occasions General Wood
aud Mr. Forbes declared in their
speeches that the greatest need is
many additional American educators
70 instruct Filipino teachers.
n, ne Investigators commended the
!r,hiiippine constabulary, declaring
1nas almost everywhere in the islands
public order was good. Among things
shey condemned were conditions of
sanitation and the administration of