under the present system of government will continue to improve, as affording an opportunity and inspiration to develop its resources. Very respectfully, C. JOVEN, Governor, Province of Pampanga. PROVINCE OF BULACAN, MALALOS, BULACAN, P. I., The province of Bulacan, under my charge, presents, politically considered, a sublime idea of its sincere gratitude and loyalty to the Government of the United States of America in the Philippine archipelago. I am justified in this statement by that very revolutionary spirit shown by the province in past times, and the readiness with which the inhabitants recognized the laudable intentions of the Government of the great North American nation in regard to this country and the urgent need for becoming thoroughly penetrated with the transcendent importance of peace, being convinced that only under peace can the welfare and uplifting of the Philippines under American rule be effected. In fact, scarcely a month has passed by since the establishment of civil rule in this province under the most liberal laws yet known in this country, when the most bitter of the revolutionary chiefs still in the mountains of Angat, Norzagary, and San Miguel de Mayumo, like the ex-Colonels Tecson and Morales and ex-General Torres, presented themselves before the authorities and took the oath of fealty and allegiance to American sovereignty. From that time the province of Bulacan has been enjoying an unbroken peace, and its inhabitants, contented beyond measure with the establishment of civil rule in the Philippines, are doing all they can to strengthen that peace as a necessary basis for their happiness, thus showing their appreciation of the Government which now so wisely rules the destinies of this country. In view of the facts above set forth, I do not hesitate to assure the stability of the peace now enjoyed by this province, which gladly places in the hands of the great and noble North American nation the future of these islands. JOSE SERAPIO, Provincial Governor. PROVINCE OF UNION, SAN FERNANDO, The province is perfectly peaceful, and this condition has existed for over a year. People are at work in the fields and at their various professions. Civil government is accepted on every side, and there is no possible reason to think that they will ever change in this feeling under the present form of government. OTEGO, Governor. PROVINCE OF ISABELA, December 20, 1901. 營 No armed insurgents heard of in province for six months. * * * Cagayan Valley completely tranquillized; no escorts now used by civil officers. *** Troops recently evacuated six cities. Police and citizens guard each night. No disorder or crime yet reported. * Nine cities without American teachers. * People friendly to American Government. Province safe and quiet as any State in the Union. * * JOHNSTON, Captain, Sixth Infantry, Governor. PROVINCE OF ILOCAS SUR, December 16, 1901. Since the surrender of General Tinio, with all his forces, who was carrying on the insurrection in this province, and of Father Aglipay, also with all his men in that part of Ilocas Norte, in the month of May last, this province under my command has been completely pacified, and from that time until the present all the pueblos have enjoyed the tranquillity and personal security of normal times before the outbreak of the insurrection against Spain. * All the people are peacefully following their customary occupations to the extent that no one any longer remembers the war, save through the newspaper reports of engagements and skirmishes taking place in the provinces of Laguna and Balangos, and others in the southern islands. * * M. CRISOLOGo, Governor. PROVINCE OF AMBOS CAMARINES, December 19, 1901. Population about 250,000; 32 organized towns; authority been requested to organize remainder of former towns; province in perfect state of pacification. Two small bands insurgents surrendered last September; since then no insurgent or hostile element in province. This condition is permanent so far as people of province concerned. No doubt sentiment is for continued peace and confidence intentions American Government. Travel on all roads and to most distant interior points perfectly safe. I recently spent two nights in interior town with my family unguarded, where a year ago a company of soldiers would have been necessary. Crime rare, and scarcely any trouble from ladrones. Only trouble in this line from occasional depredations by mountain tribes, which can be stopped by additions to armament of police. Military force been greatly reduced, and towns formerly occupied by large garrisons now have but small detachments or abandoned entirely. Further reductions can be made, and recommend that it be done and troops taken from all towns, and, if kept in province, be placed in quarters outside towns. * * * Fair interest shown in recent municipal elections; no party lines except that candidates supposed to hold "Nationalista" views were defeated by a large majority. Thirty-two American teachers in province, covering seventeen towns. Good attendance and interest in schools. Night schools for adults well attended, and desire to learn English everywhere evident. Twenty more teachers needed. * * * Commerce and trade active, and said to be much more so than ever in Spanish time. Much building in larger towns; INCREASING DEMAND FOR AMERICAN GOODS. While writing above General Grant informs me that he has recommended the withdrawal of eight companies of troops from this province, and expects soon to recommend withdrawal of eight more. JAMES ROSS, Governor, Ambos Camarines. PROVINCE OF TARLAC, December 16, 1901. There has been no interruption of the peace of the province since its organization under the provincial government act. The Philippine constabulary made several arrests in Moneada the first days of November for secretly meeting and conspiring to attack the troops. The trial is now in progress. * * * I was well received in towns in that part of the province recently visited, and expressions of desire for peace were numerous and seemingly earnest and sincere. I think this desire prevails. * * * * * The provincial government act and municipal code are working well. The amendments made from time to time have been timely and acceptable. The crops are good this year. Taxes are collected without difficulty, and the income exceeds expenditures thus far. The supervisors of the various provinces interested have met to consider defense against river inundation. WALLIS O. CLARK, Captain, Twelfth Infantry, Provincial Governor. PROVINCE OF ALBAY, December 9, 1901. A few days after establishment of civil government here, General Belarmino presented himself, with his entire force, and from that time to the present the peace of the province has not been disturbed. * * A few Tagal leaders came into the province recently from Manila with the hope of renewing trouble in this province, but the people were so thoroughly opposed to any further disturbances of the peace that there was not the slightest trouble in apprehending them before they were able to accomplish anything. *** I am informed by the leading citizens that there never was a time in the history of the province when it was in so prosperous a condition as it is at present. Every man in the province who desires to work has plenty to do, and it is very seldom one sees a beggar on the streets. * * Some idea of the enormous business done here at present can be had from the fact that in the town of Legaspi alone over $1,000,000 changes hands every thirty days. Schools have been organized in all pueblos and a greater part of the Barios. The nineteen leading pueblos in the province now have American instructors, and the progress they are making is exceptionally gratifying. * * * * A. U. BETTS, Governor. PROVINCE OF ILOILO, December 20, 1901. That as regards peace and order, it may be asserted that this province of Iloilo has no cause to envy any other province in the archipelago. The civil rule established here has satisfied the people and completed the work of pacification commenced by the military government. It may be asserted that the people, convinced of the advantages of this rule, have forgotten all the past in order to think only of their advancement materially, morally, and politically. MARTIN DELGADO, Governor. PROVINCE OF CAVITE, December 17, 1901. During the trip I have been making up to date to the mountain towns of this province of Cavite, organizing municipalities, I feel that I ought to entertain no doubt of the desire for peace entertained by all its inhabitants. In this trip I have taken steps to bring about the surrender of some small armed groups-the wake, as it were, of the revolutionary forces already surrendered, which, though they still continue under arms, have no political color, and the proof of this is that they devote themselves solely to holding up native traders to get their money. And from the steps I have taken I am in hopes that within a few days all these small armed parties, that are nothing more than highwaymen, will present themselves with all their arms. I can also assure you of the peace and order in my province, and that the civil authorities, with the constabulary forces, will be sufficient to maintain and preserve them. MARIANO TRIAS, Provincial Governor. PROVINCE OF Zambales, December 16, 1901. * * * Ever since the ex-Nationalistic General Mascardo surrendered, there is no repetition of these sad events, and the whole province, as though by magic, is animated to make up with interest their losses by devoting themselves with greater energy and ardor than heretofore to labor, not only because it has returned to its normal and peaceful life, but also by reason of the content and enthusiasm it feels through the implanting of the civil rule and the establishment of several schools for the teaching of the English tongue in many pueblos of the province. The whole of the latter may now be traveled without any personal or material risk whatever, and without the protection of an armed force. So true is this that the inhabitants of the pueblo of Macabebe, province of Pampanga, who, it is well known, are hated by the Nationals, come and go from that province to this one freely, without anything happening to them on the road, carrying to and selling in the different pueblos and barrios, as they did during the former domination, their native cloths, made in different places. The children of both sexes, as never before, devote themselves with ardor, application, and profit to the study of the English language. PROTENCIANO LESACA, Provincial Governor. PROVINCE OF PANGASINAN, December 17, 1901. ** * Since civil regime has been established the inhabitants enjoy perfect tranquillity and comfort, and their conditions are growing better each day under the new regime. Peace is so well established that it never has been disturbed in the slightest. Very respectfully, P. SISON, Provincial Governor. |