The Morning Astorian

The period during which Filipinos could come under the shelter of the amnesty proclaimed by General MacArthur, with the sole condition that they would be good hereafter, expired May 1, and the hurry with which insurgent leaders and their men availed themselves of the terms of the proclamation was in harmony with the traditions of moving day. The only people in the Philippine islands now in arms against the authority of the United States are a few bands under the leadership of desperate outlaws whose crimes against the conventions of war as well as humanity have put them beyond the pale of amnesty.

When General MacArthur made his report of the conditions existing in the islands on October 1 last, there were many who, accepting the somewhat gloomy view of the situation outlined by the general in command, could see no prospect of a restoration of peace in the archipelago in the near future. This outlook, unwelcome as it was to all who had hoped for better news from the far East, was an inspiration to the little coterie of ultra-pure freedom-lovers whose headquarters are in Boston, Mass., and particularly so to the Democratic statesmen whose sole ambition in life is to find grounds upon which to stand while criticising the administration of President McKinley.

But the war is ended. The methods followed by the Taft commission in dealing with the natives were designed to win their confidence and secure their co-operation in the work of reconstruction undertaken by the commission under instructions from the administration. In its legislative capacity the commission determined to pass no bills, except in cases of emergency, without first publishing the pending measures and allowing natives to appear before the commission and offer suggestions or amendments. This plan, differing so radically from the old Spanish way of dealing with the natives, at first surprised and then pleased them. Later came an announcement of the recommendation for dealing with the problem of the friars and their possessions in the islands, which was also satisfactory to the Filipinos. The organization of the Federal party, made up as it was of men who had been converted to the belief that the commission was laboring to pave the way for a practical autonomy under the protection and guidance of the American republic, brought to the aid of Judge Taft and his associates a powerful ally.

The result has been that the residents of the town and country districts who were aiding the insurgents while ostensibly acting with the local governments previously established by the military governor of the islands, have abandoned the "secretly organized complete insurgent municipal governments" about which General MacArthur made complaint, and have accepted the tender of aid by the commissioners in forming local governments loyal to the United States. The insurgent troops deprived of the support heretofore given them by non-combatants, have surrendered their hopes of achieving independence under Aguinaldo, and have united with their chief, "around the glorious banner of the United States. In this banner they impose their trust and belief that under its protection the Filipino people will attain all these promised liberties which they are beginning to enjoy."

Having brought about the results outlined within the space of a few months and against obstacles that appeared to General MacArthur to be insurmountable, it is not unreasonable to expect the Taft commission, supported as it now will be by the natives of the islands, will succeed in so organizing the machinery of civil government within a reasonable time that the only military force required to maintain peace and furnish a sufficient guaranty for the safety of life and property will be garrisoned in the important towns, whose duties will consist in aiding the native constabulary.