For the past three months the British public has been
too deeply interested in the war in South Africa to watch the progress of the war in the Philippines, but the Americans have been steadily "pegging away " in their manner, break- ing up each force of insurgents as it appeared, and improving communications. The insurgents have lost heart, and al- though Agninaldo has not been taken, the New York papers report that, in the President's opinion, the war is now at an end. Half the troops are to be withdrawn, almost at once, and a "Civil Commission" is being selected which will arrange a scheme of municipal Government under the general control of the military authorities. Complete liberty of trade, cultivation, and locomotion will be secured to the people of all races, just Courts will be set up, a police will be organised, probably on the Irish plan, and the main difficulty will be to raise taxes for local administra- tion. The islands, however, are rich, and with a judicious system of grants-in-aid this obstacle should be surmounted without provoking local insurrections. If the general in command will punish any instances of corruption or oppres- sion pretty sharply there ought in three years to be profound peace in the Philippines, a trustworthy body of native auxiliaries, and as much profitable business as is good for the morality of any Asiatic people.
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