element that used to frequent that place of amusement, owing to his brusque manners and pedantic arrogance to such an extent that whenever he found a group of persons in any of the aisles and passages of the theater while going out he would make his way through them by pushing people aside and crying out "Make way for the consul of Spain!" That night there was a dispute between Mr. Vicente Soto, a Filipino, and Señor Moas, a Spanish subject, which came to blows and in which the police intervened, striving to pacify the contendents and take them to the municipal building under arrest, when just at this moment there appeared Señor Leyra, the Spanish consul, accompanied by others of his nationality, and, according to the testimony given at the trial, the said consul interfered by assaulting the police in his attempt to prevent Señor Moas from being taken to jail.

The municipal president, Mr. Florentino Rallos, who was in the theater at that time, came out into the vestibule in order to find out the cause of the tumult, and on being appraised of what was going on ordered, shouting almost at the top of his voice, in view of the difficulty of making himself heard on account of the people who had been attracted to the scene, that the police should take Señor Moas to the municipal building as well as anybody else who attempted to interfere. The question then assumed a political aspect. The Spanish colony went over to the side of their consul and the Filipinos to that of the municipal president, at the same time that the crowd were flourishing sticks, cudgels, and some few revolvers. The conflict was on, some say that the said consul assaulted the police, while others are sure that the police were the first to act, but the result of it all was that the consul fell wounded by the onslaught of the latter. Some American soldiers and foreigners took up the defense of the consul, according to the account given by several persons who are sure that all hands were more or less under the influence of liquor that night.

During the mélée Governor Llorente appeared, notifying Mr. Rallos that he was suspended from office.

An institution as important from any point of view as is the insular police, either in a political or in a social sense, and whose mission places it in contact with the people and with the government, must in the nature of things greatly influence by its conduct in a direct manner the prestige of the latter. From this standpoint strict discipline in this institution, more than in any other, should be insisted upon. There should be strict penalties attached to all delinquencies on the part of any member of the constabulary and the personnel of this corps should be selected with extreme Such selection should be made solely upon the proven merits and personal qualifications of applicants, and all sorts of favoritism and partiality should be absolutely eliminated, for if it is introduced into this body it undoubtedly would be sufficient to corrupt its entire organization.

care.

We started in by saying that pacification was complete, as it is our opinion that the existence of the few insignificant evil doers who are given to cattle stealing more than to any other crime should not be taken into account. These bands, who formerly were pursued by the revolutionists, were not exterminated because of the fact that soon after this work was started the revolutionary arms were surrendered. Even during the times of Spain, in periods of lethargic peace, when any man could safely travel through the most deserted and isolated spot without taking any precaution whatsoever, cattle thieves were not wanting; but they have never caused any disturbance of public order by their exploits, and their importance is no greater than it formerly was.

In the mountains of the central part of this island a small band of confirmed cattle thieves led by the Tabal brothers and composed of the dregs of the country folk are the constant nightmare of small farmers and stockmen. They have about five guns but, it is thought, no ammunition. The band has never been able to become regularly organized as each member lives separately and in the most inaccessible part of the forests, and only meet in small numbers when called upon by their leaders. Their operations are restricted to the central portion of the province as they are unacquainted with the lay of the ground to the north and south of them. This band has been actively pursued by Inspector Luga and the municipal police of the pueblos of Tuburan and Balambam on the west coast and those of Naga, Minglanilla, Pardo, Mandaue, Mabolo, and Consolación on the east coast.

In the mountains of the extreme north where are situated the pueblos of Tuburan, Asturias, Borbon, and Sogod, and as far south as Carmen and Danao the bands of the fanatics who are the deluded followers of a certain Roberto Caballero, known among the people as Mintong, have so far been taken in by this fellow who claims to be one sent by God and a supernatural being able to perform all sorts of miracles, that he does a good business with them in the sale of stamped images to which they attribute extraordinary virtues. The sale of these images has also been a source of profit to vagabonds and people of evil lives who peddle them from town to town, finding that it is amazingly easy to deceive the country folk and who are nearly

always able to escape prosecution in the municipalities which have lately initiated an active campaign against these impostors and peddlers. These stamps, when first placed on sale were much larger than the present ones, as may be seen from copies annexed to this report. The latter are of two kinds, printed in blue and black ink. The first are known by the name of "ituman," and the second by that of "pulahan," and this probably signifies that of the sect which it is the purpose of these people to establish. There will be two divisions or groups, to be known by the above names. The said Roberto Caballero, during the time of the revolution was hunted by the guerrilla forces for similar misdeeds in the exploitation of the country people and had to take refuge in the island of Negros, where he remained until shortly after pacification, when he returned to his old stamping ground to begin anew his work of fanaticising the people. This was about the middle of June of the year 1902, and during the same month he began the sale of his first stamped images, together with amulets against cholera and plague, taking advantage of the circumstances that the majority of the Pueblos were at that time suffering from an epidemic of Asiatic cholera. In the mountains of Bogó and Tabogon some groups are to be found under the command of Pitong or Petronilo Esnarto, who acknowledges the leadership of Roberto Caballero. This individual formerly lived in tranquility and peace the life of a tiller of the soil and was compelled to take to the hills in order to escape from the active persecution of the enemies of Maxilom on account of his friendly relations with him, it being their purpose to implicate him in the crimes imputed to Maxilom. This persecution was not confined to one single individual but was made extensive to many other friends of the said Maxilom, the motive being the maintenance of caciquism in the pueblo of Tuburan by their persecutors, and for this reason, among others, many discontented have joined the bands of Roberto Caballero.

Extracts of communications from several municipalities relating to the misdeeds of these bands which may perhaps be termed a sect on account of their characteristics are given hereunder.

Mr. Bard, the division superintendent of schools, appeared before this Government on June 17, 1902, stating that four American teachers, named Clyde O. Tranes, Ernest Hager, Louis A. Thomas, and John Wells, had gone out on an expedition to the hills of Gaudalupe on the 10th of the month, and that nothing had been heard of them or their whereabouts, in spite of the fact that the senior inspector of constabulary had sent out search parties to the said hills. I immediately communicated the facts to the municipal president of this city, to the jurisdiction of which Gaudalupe belonged, and also sent telegraphic dispatches to all of the pueblos requesting that they take active measures to find out the whereabouts of the said teachers and to send out search parties to the hills in their respective jurisdiction. I further summoned the tenientes of the pueblos situated in the hills belonging to the pueblos of Talisay, Pardo and Mabolo, all of whom appeared before me accompanied by their respective municipal presidents, and stated upon being questioned that they knew nothing whatever relating to the teachers, nor had they any knowledge as to their whereabouts. In view of the fact that their respective barrios were near the place where the missing teachers had gone, I gave them instructions relative to measures which they should take in order to procure information regarding them and asking them at the same time that they communicate with me immediately any information which they might thus obtain. After a few days had passed without results, in spite of the efforts of the detectives and other police, I requested the senior inspector of constabulary to place Inspector Luga at my disposal, which was immediately done. When Luga appeared before me, which he did without delay, I came to an understanding with him relative to the manner in which he should carry out his explorations in the mountains, as it was suspected that the teachers might have fallen into the hands of the band under Damaso Tablada maraudering in the vicinity of this city. Inspector Luga immediately began operations, and one night surprised the said Tablada in a small house situated in the Guadalupe Mountains while he was taking supper with some companions. Being requested to surrender, he drew his revolver from its holster and fired one shot, which did no damage, while his companions got away through the window. His shot was immediately answered, and resulted in the almost instantaneous death of Tablada. A search being made of the house, several articles were found in it belonging to the missing teachers, which set at rest all doubts relative to their having fallen into the hands of the said Tablada. A few days afterwards the bodies of the teachers were found by spies near the house where Tablada had been surprised. The bodies were taken up and buried with due solemnity in the flat lands of Guadalupe. Some of the persons implicated in the crime were apprehended and turned over to the court for trial.

Damaso Tablada had figured in the revolutionary ranks as a lieutenant of guerillas under Luga. He surrendered and took the oath of allegiance along with the others and had resided since that time in the pueblo of Mandaue, but having gotten into an

altercation with one of his neighbors he assaulted him, and for that reason an order for his arrest was issued by the municipal president which was carried out and Tablada was imprisoned. He succeeded in escaping, however, and then took to the hills with a following that he armed with some guns which he had in hiding.

The senior inspector of constabulary, who apparently was not friendly disposed toward me on account of my action in bringing to the notice of the court the abuses committed by the constabulary, took advantage of this matter by placing me in a very bad light before the civil governor in his report.

The municipal president of Catmon, under date of May 16, 1902, sent me the following communication:

"The PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR OF CEBU.

"CATMON, CEBU, May 16, 1902.

"SIR: I have the honor to turn over to the Government under your worthy charge the individuals whose names appear in the annexed statement who were captured yesterday in this municipality as the result of a private complaint filed by Tomas Duop to the effect that these people had formed an association which was of a purely fraudulent character. When I examined the accused relative to the charges brought against them they all stated that their only aspiration was a desire to pray to God that they might not be contaminated by the cholera and that they had fallen victims to impostures practiced upon them by Mauro and Simeon, residents of Danao, who are still at large, who had given them several pieces of paper with the sign of the cross and asked them for alms to the extent of 1 real for each one of the said papers, assuring them that by keeping the said devices in their possession they would never be attacked by cholera.

"Being aware that in the pueblo of Danao the constabulary had made arrests in connection with similar instances and the persons thus arrested have already been sent to the provincial government, I have the honor to send you the said individuals and papers above mentioned for your action, begging that you will be good enough to acknowledge receipt thereof.

"Very respectfully,

"PANTALEON MONTECILLO, President."

NOTE. The persons sent, to which the above communication referred, were 19 in number. I attach hereto a copy of the stamped papers taken from them which were afterwards reduced in size as their sale increased and they came to be regarded as sort of personal registration certificates which identified the partisans of the "pulahan" society.

"THE CIVIL GOVERNOR OF THE PROVINCE OF CEBÚ.

"ASTURIAS, June 12, 1902.

"SIR: I regret to have to communicate to you that I have just received from the municipal president of Tuburan a communication stating that night before last the tulisanes under the captaincy of Roberto Caballero, alias Mintong, came into the barrio of La Colonia, and that the teniente of the said barrio, his son, and another resident were ignominously put to death by the said Tulisanes, and that several other people were wounded, and the perpetrators up to the present time have not been captured. As this place is quite near here, and the Tulisanes must have taken refuge in the mountains and will probably resort to rapine for their subsistence, as I understand the band is a very numerous one and easily able to swoop down on any of the settlements, hereabouts, in view of the fact that none of them are provided with arms with which to make a defense, I earnestly request that we be furnished arms in order that we may avoid a reoccurrence of the above-mentioned deplorable event. I would esteem it a favor if the municipal police of this pueblo were furnished with rifles or revolvers in order to be able to withstand their onslaught, and if they should ravage the district of this town that they might effect their capture. Not doubting that the men making up the police force of this pueblo will merit your entire confidence because of their irreproachable conduct in the past, I send them to you in order that you may know them and provide them with the above-mentioned arms. "With all due regard and consideration, I place myself at your orders. "Very respectfully,

"GLICERIO AGUANTA, President."

"ASTURIAS, September 7, 1902.

"The PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR.

"SIR: The municipal president of Asturias, who subscribes hereto, has the honor to inform you that a policeman named Andrés Masayon, belonging to Granada, in this jurisdiction, has appeared before me stating that late last night his house was

surrounded by a band of more than 50 armed men who were there for the purpose of kidnapping him. Said band was under the captaincy of a certain Efren. Witness said that he did not know the motive for their desire to kidnap him, and that he supposed that these men were henchmen of Roberto Caballero, alias Mintong, with his further statement that he had heard that the said band had the intention of making a descent upon the town. In view of all of the above the undersigned municipal president would beg and implore of you that you be kind enough to furnish this municipality with such guns as you may deem proper for its defense. "Very respectfully, yours,

"GLICERIO AGUANTA, President."

[Telegram.]

"GOVERNOR, Cebú:

"TUBURAN, CEBÚ, September 29, 1902.

"Information that at Capayas and Pandong mountains there are hostile people prepared to descend on pueblo under leaders [four names illegible]. Other information received states said bands are under leadership of Roberto Caballero, alias Mintong, and Leon Bató. This office has been requested by citizens to offer you organization local volunteers. Await your resolution.

(Copy of original text of telegram garbled in transmission.)

"PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR, Cebú.

"PRESIDENT."

"TUBURAN, October 2, 1902.

"SIR: After long continued and judicious investigation for the purpose of discovering the secret and origin of certain disturbances that have altered the tranquility of the residents of this place, I have found, to the best of my knowledge and understanding, that disturbances noted are the result of the folly of certain people marauding in the hills, who go from place to place taking other people's money in exchange for the promise given to their dupes that they are never to be attacked by any sickness. This is simply a ruse on their part to cover their real intentions, which are to make of each of their dupes a sort of a partisan of one of their own number, who is given to them as their leader and whom they obey with the greatest respect and assiduity. It has also been discovered that several residents of the barrio of Carmelo and of the place called Antolayan of this municipality have been cajoled into paying a tax of 1 real apiece. This fact has been confessed by the dupes themselves who, no doubt, have done so through the pressure brought to bear upon them by the active investigation which has been held, and in order to avoid their being further taxed in the future.

"All of which I have the honor to communicate to you for your knowledge and other legal purposes.

"Very respectfully, yours,

"BONIFACIO ALBURO, Municipal President."

POLITICAL ADMINISTRATION.

On February 5, 1902, the date set by law, election for the office of governor of this province was held in this capitol by 394 electors. Three days after the result of the election was given out the undersigned found he had been elected by a majority of 249 against 122 in favor of Mr. Julio Llorente, my predecessor. On March 3 of the same year I was sworn in and took charge of the provincial government in the presence of a very large number of people and delivered the following speech:

“GENTLEMEN: I have this day taken possession of an office given to me by virtue of your suffrage, and I realize that I have merited it only through your benevolence, and have no other personal qualifications than those that your friendship for me has created. First of all, I wish to perform the pleasant duty of greeting you with all of the fervor of my heart.

"At this moment, more than at any other time during my life, I deplore my meagre ability, but I am consoled by the confidence that your acknowledged learning will know how to interpret the profuse gratitude which I feel for your most distinguished regard, and I would that I were able to express with the force and allurement of an eloquent speaker my feelings of gratitude, or that I could depict it with the vivid colors seen in the paintings of a skillful artist.

WAR 1903-VOL 5-51

"There is little or nothing that I can point out to you with relation to our duties, individually and collectively, toward the people and toward the sovereign nation, growing out of our oath of allegiance and fidelity, as we have wise and just laws that regulate these duties, and we have also municipal governments made up of the most eminent men in the community who, on account of their knowledge, education, and learning, are in a better position to tell you of them than myself.

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We are celebrating, gentlemen, an act that not only solemnizes the inauguration of a government official, but we are also celebrating the consecration of the rights of a people made by the American nation as sovereign of the people, who for the first time are exercising one of their dearest_rights-the right of free suffrage. Aside from the significance of this act, in which the law of the people is obeyed and respected, the intentions and desires of our present sovereign country are made patent; the desire to shortly lift us to the first stage to which we aspire-self-government in its true form-in order that afterwards it may take us still higher, until we shall have reached that point where all of our hopes are centered.

"We must therefore engrave in our hearts that confidence and faith in the promises of the American nation to lead us to the goal of our liberties, for they are sacred promises, formulated by the conscience of its own people and before all civilized nations. They are moreover promises that are intimately bound and firmly united with our oath of allegiance and fidelity, so that it will be impossible to break any of these promises without destroying the whole fabric. From this point of view our loyalty and fidelity are, then, not a matter of convenience, but rather one of conviction.

"In gratefully accepting the administrative powers which your confidence in me has placed in my hands, I am influenced by no other aim or ambition than to respect your will and to be able to comply satisfactorily with your just, worthy, and noble desires, as are all those which are directed to the regeneration and welfare of our people. The path which we must tread will not be free, however, from thorns and roughness to make the journey all the more trying, owing to the prevailing conditions that are to-day similar to those that have always been identified with the first period of regeneration. We find ourselves in a critical condition, because evolution is always laborious and difficult when it takes place under the fatal influence of illegitimate and inflamed passions of opposing and violent ideas. Lest the contemplation of these considerations should to any extent prove a source of preoccupation, we fortunately rely upon the hope that the spirit of the people of this long-suffering and, with very few exceptions, loyal province is still for solidarity, in spite of adversity and misfortune, and that the union and fraternity growing out of that solidarity will assuredly constitute a sure and safe support for the governor, into whose hands the community have confidently reposed their trust so that he might exercise his power by the people and for the people in accordance with the spirit of the broadest democracy, so as to lead them along the path of their aspirations, subject to the restrictions of the law.

"So that, if union and fraternity are necessary to the prosperity of all large undertakings, so also is the maintenance of peace, of a peace that does not offend our honor and our dignity, for without order and tranquility all of our efforts would come to naught.

"By keeping within the law, by its observance and disinterested application, it can be made a protection to the poor and helpless instead of subserving the ignoble ambitions of the powerful, thus doing away with favoritism and nepotism, and forever exterminating caciquism and all of the immoralities and vice reminiscent of the late sovereignty. Favored, as we are, by the protection extended by American institutions, we can be sure of prompt regeneration. Above all, it is our first duty to lift our province from the state of depression, in a material sense, into which it has fallen as a result of past events, and to stimulate its mental development in order that the foundation may be laid for our future social welfare and advancement.

"Public works, especially the building of roads assuring safe, easy, and cheap communication; all industries tending directly or indirectly to favor the development of agriculture that as the source of all wealth in our province demands our undivided attention; the introduction and adoption of modern agricultural machinery apparatus and tools; an adequate postal service in the interior which shall keep pace with the progress of the country, are things, in my opinion, to which we must devote our earnest attention, as they are the principal factors of our future progress. On the other hand we must pay equal attention to the establishment and maintenance of primary and secondary schools, as well as trade schools, where a practical rather than theoretical education may be acquired. The first named should be organized in all the barrios of each pueblo. These remarks can be applied with equal force to scientific and artistic academies and to the press that in their character of propagan