credited among his own people, a fugitive with few followers, and his apprehension is only a question of time. As a strong factor against progress he has disappeared.

The so-called Moro problem is to be solved now by time and patience, firmness and square dealing. There has been considerable friction along the east coast of Mindanao, the shrewder Visayan taking commercial advantage of his pagan or Moslem neighbors, and native officials abusing their power. In Misamis bands of fanatics have several times begun organization, but the constabulary have been able in each case to prevent trouble. There have been some abuses by native officials along the west shores of Iligan Bay, in Misamis Province, and trouble between Roman Catholic authorities and the adherents of the Aglipay church has occurred in one or two places. A few cases of slave stealing by Moros from the Lanao district have occurred, but good work by constabulary officers of Misamis has restored the captives and apprehended the raiders in each case reported. In Surigao general quiet has prevailed. Adriano Concepcion was captured by constabulary in April, and the hanging of four of his companions in the raid last year and his own death sentence ends general outlawry in Surigao. Slight friction in Surigao Province has occurred between Roman Catholics and Aglipayeños, but nothing serious. A very disastrous hurricane on April 23 destroyed crops and damaged towns along the east coast of Surigao, necessitating a distribution of rice in return for labor, in order to prevent suffering.

THE CONSTABULARY.

The undersigned on his arrival here reported to the governor of the Moro Province and was informed by the latter that he did not desire a constabulary organized for the present in the Lanao and Cottabato districts nor on the island of Jolo. As under Act 787 of the Philippine Commission the governor may control the use and direct the movements of the constabulary of the Moro Province, this statement was considered sufficient authority for deferring, as far as those districts are concerned, the organization of the constabulary directed to be made by section 21 of the act referred to. Within the last thirty days, however, the governor has asked that constabulary be organized in those districts as soon as possible, and the matter only awaits the assignment of officers by the chief of constabulary to proceed with speed. Enlistments in the districts organized have been principally of Mohammedans and pagans. The illiteracy of these has made it necessary to secure a few Christians in cach district, and in Zamboanga the Moslem and Christian have been enlisted in about equal proportions. For a time it was supposed that the well-known dislike of the Moro to eat with the Filipino, a feeling which is reciprocated with interest, was unconquerable, but the experience of eight months shows that Moslem, pagan, and Christian amalgamate with but little friction. Separate messes have been abolished. Tribal lines are disappearing, the loyalty to his new corps and white officers replacing the allegiance paid by the Moro to his hereditary dato for many ages. The objection of the Islam to a hat with a brim was met by the authority of the chief of constabulary for the use in the Moro Province of a red fez with black tassel. The Moro is proud to wear that, and the result is a very smart and attractive uniform. The Filipino acquires military instruction more quickly than the Moro or pagan, having seen more of Spanish and United States soldiers, but in the opinion of the undersigned has not the seriousness, force, or physique of the Moro-an opinion not dissented from by any constabulary officer on duty in the Moro Provines.

The Moro soldier is quiet, contented with his fare and surroundings, anxious to learn and please his officers, and will be true to the government that feeds and pays him. Cottabato Moros enlisted last autumn for the constabulary of Zamboanga are now on duty among their own people, self-respecting, proud of their uniform and newly acquired bearing, and it is believed happy in their emancipation from the old tics.

At the date of this report Moros of the constabulary are in the field accompanying expeditions after Datu Ali in the Cottabato district, and against the Sultan of Masibay in the Lanao district, and rendering loyal service against people of their own blood and religion. Not a few of the Moros who have enlisted were slaves who realized that the ranks of the constabulary offered the best protection against former masters. The absolute illiteracy of the Moro and pagan will be the greatest drawback to their usefulness. Less than half a dozen of those now in service can read and write. Schools to teach them are in progress at every station, and the legislative council of the Moro province has facilitated this by authority of the superintendent of schools to recognize our schools as on a footing with all others in the province in the matter of supplies, etc., a resolution for which the constabulary is indebted to the good offices of Supt. N. M. Saleeby. The influence on these people of the constabulary among them will be one of the most potent aids to their civilization. The Moro, Bagobo, Manobo, Mandaya, Tiruray, etc., who exchanges his breech clout and spear for the khaki and carbine becomes a marked man among his race, is eagerly questioned at every opportunity as to his arms, clothes, food, and treatment, and every soldier thus becomes to his own people a living evidence of the fulfillment of governmental promises; for his government an advance agent and advocate; and to himself an individual who has taken the upward step to better things.

There have not been lacking evidences from district governors of the Moro province of what Governor Taft described in an indorsement of September 10, 1902, to the chief of constabulary, as "a feeling of irritation concerning the constabulary which is natural in view of the independence of command which the constabulary have under the law." In that province where the governors are all Americans, and the people governed are nearly all savages accustomed to the authority of patriarch or chief, it has been found necessary to subordinate that independence. Naturally in a savage country acquainted with the title governor, and where constabulary have been unknown, complaints, reports of abuses, etc., flow to the district governors, the apparent fountain of authority, and redress afforded through the constabulary or not is credited to the same source. The constabulary here stands ready to bear its share of this burden, but whether or not it shall do so depends principally on the district governors whose plans and policies for the development of their people might readily be ruined by independent or ill-advised action of a constabulary, and who must choose whether they will throw this work to the force created by law to perform it. Since the establishment of this district the military have been withdrawn from Surigao and Misamis provinces, and in the Moro province from the stations of Tucuran, Misamis, Dapitan, Siasi, and Bongao, and the navy from Pollok and Isabela de Basilan, which have all been garrisoned by constabulary, not a small part of whose work here for many years will be as a moral force guaranteeing good order by its mere presence and exploration of the unknown regions which surround these remote stations. There is no ladronism or political agitation in this district after the manner of other parts of the archipelago, and he who should judge of the work being done and to be done here, by a bare comparison of arrests made, for example, with the restless Tagalog provinces, would argue himself ignorant of conditions here and the work required. A tabulation of the ordinary routine accomplished, to include May, is appended and marked “A." The strength of the district by tribes, stations, and provinces is tabulated in appendix marked “B."

In considering the work done in this district it is deemed proper to invite attention to the fact that all the districts of the Moro province are paid and supplied by the district supply officer and his assistant. This means a saving of three supply officers as compared to the administration of other provinces, not to mention storehouses, handling, etc., has worked satisfactorily, and the credit for it is due First Lieut. Frederick Johnson, Philippines Constabulary, district supply officer, whose industry and capacity have made it possible, and who has been without an assistant until May.

On the arrival of the undersigned in this district in September four companies of Philippine Scouts were on duty with the civil government in Mindanao. They were returned to the military carly in October, the necessity for their retention with the civil government having passed.

The coast-guard launch Ranger was on duty in the district from September 28, 1903, to June 5, and steamed 15,987 miles, for the most part of which she carried the undersigned on visits of inspection. The services of this ship have been very satisfactory; the business of the district could not have been carried on without her. The launch Troy has been on duty in the district since April 6, and has steamed 5,214 miles. Two such vessels will be a continuing necessity in the district.

In the opinion of the undersigned, two great steps toward the efficiency of the constabulary have been taken in the last half year; one, the inauguration of a messing system, and the other, the establishment of a uniform system of instruction. The ration checks and other administrative machinery of the new messing system are admirable and testify to the possession of brains and their exercise by the officer who arranged it. Its working in this district has been eminently satisfactory, the cash allowance is ample, and with prompt honor to requisitions for funds on the part of the supply department, and senior inspectors held to their duty by district chiefs, can not fail to be a permanent success. The school order, like the messing system, depends somewhat on supplies for its success. In this district the illiteracy is such that much elementary instruction must be given, reading and writing necessarily preceding much that is prescribed in the school order. Here, too, the use of English in speaking to soldiers will be a great aid. Few of them know any Spanish, and there is no reason for them to learn it. The course of instruction prescribed from constabulary headquarters is excellent, and while progress under it, subject to the interference of many duties and a lack of supplies and teaching capacity on the part of officers will be slow, time is bound to show good results.

NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT.

The proportion of officers and noncommissioned officers necessary in this district is greater than that required where the natives are more civilized and soldiery less illiterate. Command of isolated posts can not be trusted to noncommissioned officers. There are too many tribal and race antipathies which, when properly handled by white officers, may even increase the efficiency of the constabulary, but when given rein in native hands might

bring shame to our corps. The crying need of the district thus far has been officers. Hardly a senior inspector has had an officer at his home station to keep up its administration and instruction while attending to the administration of his other territory, and efficiency has suffered. Noncommissioned officers should be continued in this district, as has been done by the chief of constabulary, in the ratio of a first sergeant, 5 sergeants, and 12 corporals to each 150 men. This allows the grade of first-class private to lapse. This proportion of noncommissioned officers is but half that which obtains in the constabulary of Borneo, which handles an identical people. It is believed that the public interest would be served if the law were amended to permit enlistments to be made outside the province or district in which the soldier is to be used. In trying to handle this population with soldiers selected from among them, we do not follow the lead of nations more experienced in the management of oriental peoples. In Borneo the Sikh, Cingalese, Filipino, Confucian, and Moro mingle in a force whose problem is similar to our own. In our frontier Indian wars men of one tribe were used as scouts against others, but seldom if ever against their own tribesmen. Members of our National Guard have on at least one occasion affiliated with the mob they should have confronted.

Sufficient water transportation is an essential to the administration of this district. Sailboats have been provided for the constabulary of Misamis, Davao, and Sulu. The chief supply officer has been asked to include in his estimate for the appropriation for the new fiscal year the purchase of two light-draft launches for use in Surigao and Cottabato. In each there is a great river, along which the constabulary has a great work to perform, and where a magnificent valley largely awaits the coming of the constabulary to take up the march of development under its protection. In neither the Agusan nor Rio Grande valleys will it be possible to station or maintain constabulary without water transportation. Not later than another year such launches will be needed in Sulu and Zamboanga. It is to be noted in this connection that animal transportation will never be needed in the great part of this district.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS.

The appointment of a traveling dentist for each constabulary district would be a help to the health and efficiency of our officers and to the interest of the government. Within the short time this district has been organized, three officers have had to leave their stations for extended dental treatment, and have been robbed by exorbitant prices charged by army dentists.

The authorization of the employment by each senior inspector of a native clerk at not to exceed 135 per month, to attend to the burden of court work that falls on constabulary officers is recommended. For the constabulary administration routine no clerk is needed, but the work in connection with trials and prosecutions would seem to justify the employment of a clerk.

The uniform of the constabulary in appearance leaves little or nothing to be desired. The quality of certain articles is poor. The tan shoes do not stand wear even in stations. The undersigned has seen a pair of them wear out in two days in rough traveling. The hemp-soled sandal is a good thing, but accumulates trash and gravel in its open top. It should have a bellows tongue and lace to the ankle. Woolen khaki-colored puttees worn in this district give excellent satisfaction. They are more durable than canvas leggings, look better and are more comfortable, and the cost is but little greater. Their adoption for the entire constabulary is suggested. An increase of clothing allowance and rearrangement of periods of settlements is recommended. In the opinion of the undersigned the uniform should not be chosen entirely on lines of utility, especially with oriental peoples. No soldiers will respond more quickly to efforts for "smartness" than our constabulary; that is a thing to be encouraged. Much of the soldier's influence among his own people will depend on the appeal to the eye, the dressiness of his garb, which at least in the Moro land means bright colors. The smartness of this constabulary uniformed for the field, with red fez, puttees, khaki trousers, dark-blue shirt, with red-blanket roll, has won praise from the commanding general of the department and other military men. The passing of the red blanket is a matter of regret to the undersigned, for the invisibility of the new issue will never compensate the Moro soldier for the loss of the dressed-up feeling it gave him to carry the red one.

It is believed that a knowledge of the vernacular of his region by every inspector should be a requisite to the retention of his position. It should be necessary to his promotion, and a monetary regard should be paid for proficiency. At the same time in regions where the constabulary soldiers know little Spanish all conversation with them should be held in English. Not knowing Spanish, they should not be made to learn it, as is now the tendency. The observation of the undersigned leads him to believe that examinations for payments of a bonus for learning native dialects to ascertain fitness for appointment on original entry into the constabulary and to determine the promotions of officers should be held by the civil-service board. Examinations conducted by brother officers are not very seriously

considered, either in the United States Army or the constabulary. They should be serious matters; eliminate the unworthy, and indicate our best material for promotion.

There is no question which so vitally touches the present and future of the constabulary as the question of more pay for its officers. Scarcely one among them whose services are worth retention but has been tempted by offers from civil life or from other branches of the insular government. Some remain with us for love of the life, others from a hope of assured permanent position at good pay, but in the end to retain these men and obtain others that will do the work the standard of pay must be raised. Officers now work over clerks that are better paid; supply officers are expected to have the honesty and ability that everywhere else in the world commands a good price, and many of our officers are actually put to shame by their poverty. Brains and integrity are commodities, and they can not be bought of first rate quality at second or third rate prices. Respectfully submitted.

J. G. HARBORD, Assistant Chief Philippines Constabulary, Commanding District.

The ADJUTANT-General, PhiliPPINES CONSTABULARY,

Manila, P. I.

A.-Epitome of work by provinces from October 1, 1903, to May 31, 1904.

NOTE. Figures from Surigao and Misamis only show to include April 30, May returns not having been received at date of this report.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF COAST GUARD AND TRANSPORTATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1904.

BUREAU OF COAST GUARD AND TRANSPORTATION,

Manila, P. I., August 22, 1904. SIR: I have the honor to make the following report concerning this bureau's operations during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1904: The bureau still consists of three divisions, namely, division of light-house construction, division of light-house maintenance, and division of vessels.

At the beginning of the year the organization was as follows: J. M. Helm, commander, U. S. Navy, chief of bureau; Henry Jervey, captain of Engineer Corps, U. S. Army, superintendent of the division of light-house construction; A. Franklyn, superintendent of the division of light-house maintenance; Wm. Howe, superintendent of the division of vessels; D. D. Wilson, inspector of machinery; 1 chief clerk, class 5; 1 chief property clerk, class 6; 1 disbursing officer, class 6; 1 pay officer, class 6; 1 clerk, class 7; 1 draftsman, class 7; 4 clerks, class 8; 5 clerks, class 9; 1 storekeeper, class 10; 1 storekeeper, class A; 3 clerks, class A; 2 assistant storekeepers, class F; 1 clerk, class J; 3 employees, at $180 United States currency per annum; 5 employees, at $150 United States currency per annum.

By authority of Act 1049 an additional class 7 clerk was employed, and a mechanic, class 9.

On August 12, 1903, Capt. Spencer Cosby, Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, relieved Capt. Henry Jervey as superintendent of lighthouse construction.

On September 24, 1903, Mr. D. J. Curran succeeded Mr. D. D. Wilson as inspector of machinery.

On March 8, 1904, Mr. Frank P. Helm succeeded Mr. Wm. Howe as superintendent of the division of vessels.

In order to conform to titles for similar offices in the United States, and for the sake of brevity, the titles of the different superintendents of the divisions were, by act of the Commission, recently changed to light-house engineer," "light-house inspector," and "marine superintendent."

FLEET.

The fleet of the bureau consists of 15 single-screw 148-foot steamers, built at Shanghai, China; 2 twin-screw 140-foot steamers, built at Uraga, Japan; steam launches-Ranger, length 110 feet; Rover, 99 feet; Pittsburg, 93 feet; Troy, 86 feet; Picket, 102 feet; Leader, 78 feet; stern-wheel river steamer Sentinel, 90 feet; 6 river and harbor launches in use around Manila, ranging from 20 to 80 feet in length; the 25-ton sailing sloop Jervey, used by the light-house construction division in connection with working parties.