| Show LEGISLATION FOR ISLES Manila Intensely Interested in in Matter Mat Mat- ter Two ter-Two Two Parties F Formed Optimists Optimists Op Op- Op- Op and Pessimists MANILA Feb 2 Manila Is Intensely In Interested Interested interested in- in as to what action Congress will take concerning the Philippine Islands Ordinary local politics have been forgotten forgotten forgot forgot- ten and two parties have been formed the optimists and the pessimists Some think that life and property are T unsafe outside the towns of the Islands while others ridicule the idea and consider life and property to be assured TAFTS STATEMENT CRITICISED Criticisms o oi d th the statement of civil Gov Taft that he ho believed that men would be be sufficient to ga garrison ison the Islands In a year are are plentiful uJ Yet the majority of th the business men who are financially Interested in Sn the provinces and cons consequently claim exceptional opportunities opportunities opportunities op op- op- op for feeling the pulse ot Of the people say that Gen Gov-Gen Taft Tart is Ss right righton on one condition only that being that Congress acts for the benefit of the Philippines Phil PhIl- Capt Frank Green president of ot the American Chamber of Commerce here says he ho fully believes that civil Gov Taft Tatt's Tafts s forecast can be realized If Congress Con Con- greg gress will arrange to open en the country t to to- mining aiming and homestead laws and to enlarge the forestry Should f ge r reserves serves this legislation be effected an act by the Philippine commission granting franchises would only follow and Am American rican capital as well as many American miners and would come to the Islands if this were accomplished continued t the e president of of the Chamber of Commerce Com Com- suet merce we wo would immediately tely have a la larger large e of r resourceful and self-reliant self men scattered throughout the archipelago who would become becom a source of Information information information tion for the Government conc concerning the natives surrounding them and who would constitute a reserve force In cas case of necessity ne ne- ne- ne The consequent development of i the tha islands would give employment to an increasing number of Filipinos who while Y busy making money would have less ss time to plot The good wages In Sight would make even those Filipinos In the field desert the Insurrection in in order to enjoy their theli share of the prosperity Everyone admits the excellent work done by the native constabulary which Will be increased ed Mariy Marly municipal cities cities- also now possess a fairly effective effective- police force The concentration of the American troops into substantial 1 barracks would reduce reduce re re- re- re duce the h sIcH r rae among them and men under s such cI j circumstances rc would equal l m ft now Given these e conditions condi condi- A It ca' ca cato can easily be seen that In case of ofa ofa ofa a local outbreak with which the police pollee would would be be- be unable to cope cOre the constabulary would be h sh should uld it be necessary Wt the t-le t military V can in and gt t as a last resort w would ulti this Increasing ever body of American 1 g t citizens ns be Wiping to render 1 ill consider gi the assurances s es made a by cg Civil Governor Taft af aft before fo foes esth th the Senate na f Committee on lr Philippines regarding l hl future peach peace c In these Islands to be be- n time time- e 1 by Inasmuch as they will have a tendency to ta brine about more r rapid legislation on tb the subjects most needing needing attention A prominent official of the Government says that the order of Gen Chaffee to military commanders to harmonize with the civil authorities will have hav some effect The member of ot the tIie Government in question question question ques ques- tion thinks whatever r friction there has been In the provinces is 18 probably due to the continuation in these provinces proVinces' in a military capacity of the same officers who previously wielded civil power there The people at home said this member membern of the Government are are to blame Gen n Otis and nf Gen MacArthur rt for o om making I statements which the facts did not se seem m to warrant while as a matter of fact both Generals were r right Gsa Gen Otis t Justly considered coo con lt riot eW rio he had the situation well in hand t though the fighting continued To Gen MacArthur i is It duo due much credit e for pacifying pacify pacify- t ing a large ge- ge gei 9 of the Philippine islands ands ds C Chaffee ee c comes mes the fhe greatest op op- th that t of stamping out the in those places where there has been the most meet t stubborn resistance n pro prolonged roe longed J beyond what what was f was t thought possible I think that Gen Chalice Chaffee is doing this ef effectively effectively ef- ef that his example and Influence upon unon the military government will soon result in establishing most cordial lela- lela titus between the civil and military au authorities Gen Chaffee ff recognizes that both ft these se branches of the Government r t tire are working ct te by different means to the same end tie end the desire es of the American p ppl people pee peo pl ale that a clean and good government be- be e. e established in every place possible Gent Gen J J. J 1 Franklin Bell J commanding the g A American troops In the provinces or of Ba- Ba tangas tamas and Leguna southern Luzon has arrived here hers to confer with G Gens ns Chaffee and Wheaton He lie considers there Is every prospect lot for the final termination of the insurrection in these provinces Surrenders tiers ders of men aid ald rifles occur dally daily |
