Nr. 11997.

Vereinigte

and likewise the most important, there are others of great importance, especially from the commercial view-point. The most important of these are Staaten. known as the Visayas, and include the islands of Panay, Negros, Zebu, Samar, 29. Aug.1898. Leyte, Masbate, Romblon, Tablas, and Cibuyan. || The Island of Zebu, on which the City of Cebu is situated, is almost entirely under cultivation, there being but little of the original forests to be found. Here are cultivated sugar, to a limited extent hemp, Indian corn, and other products. Here, likewise, are found mines of coal and deposits of petroleum, both as yet undeveloped.

Panay, on which the city of Iloilo, the second port in commercial importance in the islands, is situated, is also well under cultivation, there being but few places in the northwest and west still covered with forests. Both of these islands are inhabited by the Visayan race, all of whom have adopted Christianity and all of whom are under tribute to Spain. The island of Negros, situated between these two islands, is also of great importance from an agricultural view-point. There still exists in the interior of this island a great amount of forests, and some of the tribes in the interior have never been made tributory to Spain. It is a great sugar-producing island, almost all of the lowlands near the coast being under cultivation. || Samar and Leyte, to the east, are not so well developed, but a great deal of hemp of the best quality is produced there, the most of which finds its way to markets by way of Manila, although some is shipped from Cebu. Most of the sugar produced in the three islands first mentioned is marketed at Iloilo. || The smaller islands mentioned Masbate, Romblon, Tablos, and Cibuyan are of more importance as supporting large herds of cattle, the island of Masbate being especially noteworthy for this. The products of the islands just mentioned are marketed almost entirely in Manila. All of the people in these islands, with the exception of the few mentioned in the interior of Negros, are docile well disposed, and easily managed. They are somewhat less energetic than the Tagologs of Luzon, and have never been involved in the insurrections occurring in these islands, to my knowledge, except in Cebu in 1896, and then through the influence of Tagologs sent there for the purpose of stirring up the insurrection. || Mindanao, Basilan, and the Sulu group are inhabited for the most part by Malay tribes belonging to the Mohammedan faith. The interior of the great island of Mindanao has never been conquered by the Spaniards. The important Spanish towns on this island are located on the seacoast and are inhabited largely by the emigrants from the other islands. || The Sulu group has recently been brought under partial control of Spanish authority, but as yet the inhabitants do not pay tribute to Spain, or at least they did not up to the year of 1893. || The island of Palawan, on the west, is almost entirely undeveloped, there being perhaps a half dozen small Spanish towns along the seacoast on either side. The most important settlement is at Puerto Princesa, where there is a fine harbor. The most of the inhabitants are known as Tageannas, a Malay tribe just being brought under the

Nr. 11997. influence of Spanish methods.

Vereinigte?
Staaten.

The Caliaimanes, northeast of Palawan, are inhabited by the same tribe, but more emigrants are found here than in 29. Aug.1898. Palawan. Cattle are shipped from here to Manila, grazing being the principal industry. The large island of Mindoro, just south and west of Luzon, is almost entirely undeveloped, there being but a few Spanish towns along the coast. The few agricultural products of this island are almost entirely consumed by the inhabitants themselves, the principal exports being jungle products, such as rattan and woods. The sago palm grows abundantly throughout this island, and sago flour is the principal breadstuff of the uncivilized tribes of the interior. This island is supposed to contain large deposits of coal, and I myself at one time found outcroppings indicating a coal deposit at a place within easy communication of the seacoast.

In regard to the island of Luzon I do not deem it necessary to say much, as it is the best-known island of the group. Large areas are under cultivation and large areas are still covered with the primeval forests. The majority of the people have been christianized and are under the control of Spain, but many tribes in the forests and mountains have never been influenced by the Spanish Government. The products of the island are, as known varied - suggar, hemp, tobacco, chocolate, and coffee being the important ones. As is probably well known to you, the forests of the Philippines produce most valuable woods in almost unlimited quantities. These have never been properly cared for or developed, owing to the restrictions and hindrances of the Spanish law. The same applies to all industries in the Philippines. || In regard to the people of the entire archipelago and the feasibility of bringing them under our control, I see no reason to change the opinion I gave to you before we left the United States. I believe that the masses of the people will accept our government as soon as they understand the form of government that we would offer. The people are for the most part easily controlled by proper methods, the essence of which can be expressed in two words justice and firmness. || It has been my observation, and this is backed by the statements of many intelligent natives and half-casts with whom I have talked that the Philippine native will accept merited punishment without complaint and without the feeling of injury having been done him. I still believe that if a few of the ambitious chieftains now in control of the insurgent army could be disposed of, the masses of the people could be handled without difficulty. At the present it is my opinion that these chieftains find themselves in a difficult position on account of the promises made to their followers in regard to looting Manila, said promises being so far unfulfilled. Their troops have been serving up to the present time almost without remuneration, promises being made that their reward would come when Manila capitulated. " Since my arrival I have availed myself of every opportunity to talk with natives and half-castes, both in the insurgents territory and in Manila. I find that many of them would be perfectly willing to accept an American govern

ment, and many of them are very anxious that we should take full possession Nr. 11997. Vereinigte of the islands. Many others hold to the desire of the insurgent chiefs for a Staaten. Philippine government under the protection of the United States. These 29.Aug.1898. people express themselves as being confident of their own ability to govern the islands. Many of these would not be satisfied until the experiment had been tried, but I do not believe that such a government would be a success and that the United States would ultimately have to take hold of the government. This for several reasons: First, because the only example of government ever seen by these people is that given by Spain, and they would naturally follow quite closely the methods heretofore pursued; second, lack of unity, not only among the important men here in the island of Luzon, but likewise on account of lack of union and full understanding with the various other races of the archipelago, such, for instance, as the Visayas of the central islands; third, because of the three other elements in the islands the uncivilized hill tribes, the Mohammedans of the south, and the Chinese resi dents found in all parts of the islands. The feeling existing between the Filipinos and the Chinese residents can be seen any day, by anyone who will take the trouble to notice it, in the streets of Manila. The Chinese, being naturally more industrious and more thrifty than the Filipinos, usually succeed better, the result being a feeling of extreme jealousy on the part of the Filipinos. I know from observation that this racial feeling would be very hard to overcome, as between the Catholic Filipinos and the Mohammedans of the south questions would constantly arise difficult of adjustment by any but a third and stronger party. In regard to the hill tribes, or what are called savage tribes, I have observed in various parts of the island that they are illtreated, imposed upon in every way, and generally considered to be of a very inferior race, to be treated withouth consideration by the Catholic natives.

Another reason for supposing that difficulty would arise in case of selfgovernment is the jealousy among the chieftains themselves. These observations have been made since my arrival here, and are substantiated by conversations with many natives and half-castes. They themselves state that as soon as a Filipino is appointed to office, such as lieutenant or captain, or to a higher rank, he immediately considers himself far above his fellow-Filipinos, treats them with severity and disdain, and, in short, attempts to imitate as closely as possible the methods pursued by Spanish officials in their treatment of the natives. I have definite information also that at least three or four of the leading men of the provinces to the north and east of Manila are not at all in harmony with those in authority around Manila. All of these conditions would, in my opinion, soon bring about a distressing condition. The only point on which all the natives and half-castes I have talked with agree is that they will never, so long as they have arms, ammunition, or men, submit again to Spanish authority. Their bitterness of feeling against the Spa

Staaten.

Nr. 11997. niards can scarcely be exaggerated. This fact I have had abundant opportuVereinigte nity to know. | The feeling against the monastic orders is, as you know, not 29. Aug.1898. against the church itself, as they are all good Catholics and wish well toward the Catholic Church. The bitterness is directed against all the members of the monastic orders, with the exception of the Jesuits, whose only work here is missionary, scientific, and educational. Even the most rapid among them have expressed to me their appreciation of the work being done by the Jesuits. Taken as a whole, the Philippine Islands are as rich and productive islands, with as good climate and as good natural advantages, as are to be found anywhere in the tropics. In conclusion, I wish to state that these opinions are only my personal opinions, founded upon extensive observations in these islands and comparison with other tropical regions which I have visited. I give them to you in obedience to your request, and wether they prove to be right or wrong I can only assure you that they are my honest convictions, and founded only upon personal observations made during a three years and a half residence in these islands. || From a personal interest in such matters I have always talked freely with the people of whatever place I have visited, not expecting that my views would be needed in any such emergency. I do believe, however, that in the main they are fairly accurate, and that my estimate of the people and of the islands and their resources is not far amiss.

Nr. 11998.

Staaten.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

Frank S. Bourns,

Major and Chief Surgeon, U. S. Volunteers.

Nr. 11998. VEREINIGTE STAATEN. - Bericht des Majors J. F. Bell an General Merritt. Streitkräfte der Philippinen.

Manila, Philippine Islands, August 29, 1898.

Sir: Pursuant to your verbal iustructions, I have the honor to report Vereinigte the following facts and opinions: || In the city of Santa Cruz the capital of 29. Aug.1898. La Laguna, about 600 Spaniards are besieged by insurgents. | Albay, held by a detachment of Spanish forces, number not known, is also besieged by insurgents. All the Spanish in the Province of Tayabas have just been captured by insurgents, together with a considerable amount of money and other property. The Spanish still hold Daet, the capital of Camarines Norte, and Nueva Caceres, the capital of Camarines Sur, but both places are besieged by insurgents. The four provinces, Llocos Sur, Llocos Norte, Isabella, and Cagayan are still in the possession of the Spanish, but 400 insurgents have been dispatched to attack the Spanish in these provinces. | About 250 Spaniards hold Morong, the capital of the province of the same name. || There is one company of Spanish infantry in Yap, the capital of Ponape, one of the Caroline Islands. || There are also a considerable number of Spanish troops in

Cebu, Iloilo, Leyte, and Mindanao. || The island of Mindoro and the provinces Nr. 11998. Vereinigte of Batangas, Pampangas, Paugasenan, Bulacan, La Union, Tayabas, Bataan, Staaten. Zanbales, Tarlac, and Cavite (all in the island of Luzon) are under the con- 29. Aug.1898 trol of insurgents. || Concerning the insurgents now under arms and about the city, it is practically impossible to count or estimate their number for several reasons: First, they are being continually sent away to other provinces; second, many of them have laid aside their arms temporarily to raise crops for their families. As the organization is very loose, no captain knows the exact number of his following. No reports have ever been made to General Aguinaldo. The closest estimate that can be made of the available armed insurgent force is based upon the number of arms recently captured from the Spanish militia, from the arsenal at Cavite, from Spaniards captured in battle, and bought from Jackson and Evans. Together with the number it is fair to estimate were in the hands of Filipinos, who got them in previous insurrection, this foots up about 40,000, as follows:

From this number there should probably be deducted several thousand guns recaptured by the Spanish and turned in under the provisions of a proclamation offering $ 50 and amnesty to each insurgent who would come in and give himself and his rifle up to the Spaniards. || It is assumed that every Filipino who has a gun is ready material for an armed insurrectionist, providing sufficient provocation exists to appeal to the resentment of all. || Aguinaldo's following, however, it not so great, nor can all of those who are under arms be considered equal in loyalty to their chief. Great differences of opinion exist among them, and General Aguinaldo is just now experiencing considerable difficulty in maintaining control over his loosely organized forces. He has certain men among his leaders who are dishonest and unworthy, and are now guilty of conduct which seriously reflects upon the character of the insurgent. This is well known to General Aguinaldo, but he is powerless to prevent it, because he realizes that an effort to do so would be an end of their subordination to him. || Concerning the capacity of the Filipinos to govern themselves, I regret to say that I see no reason to change the opinion previously expressed, that they are unfit. I wish my opinion might be otherwise, for I prefer to believe them capable of self-government. There are a number of Filipinos whom I have met, among them General Aguinaldo and a few of his leaders, whom I believe thoroughly trustworthy and fully capable of self-government, and the main reliance for small official positions and many larger ones would be upon people who know no standard