During the early part of the fiscal year cholera prevailed in the province to quite an alarming extent. That has disappeared except an occasional sporadic case. This province, like many others, has been visited by swarms of locusts, which have created sad havoc with growing crops.

The governor of this province is loyal, intelligent, and has the interest of his province and people at heart. I regard him as one of the best governors we have. Unfortunately he is in poor health, apparently tuberculosis, and it is doubtful if his services will be given actively much longer to the government for that reason.

There are no military stations in the province except scout companies, which are attached to the constabulary for tactical work. There are in the province 5 telephone and 2 telegraph stations.

The supply officer of this province met with the misfortune of having his government funds stolen by a dishonest native clerk, who is now confined awaiting trial. The Manila and Dagupan Railroad Company has started a branch road from Bigaa which crosses the province and runs into Nueva Ecija.

I am pleased to report that this province is in far better condition than heretofore and it is doubtful if outlaw bands will again be able to organize to any great extent therein.

CAVITE.

Senior Inspector, Capt. T. R. HAYSON.

Authorized strength 300, distributed in 7 stations. There are 11 inspectors on duty in the province. There have been 408 expeditions in the province during the past year, aggregating 16,550 miles; in other words scouting parties have patrolled the the province almost continuously. There have been 39 engagements. Outlaws killed 20, wounded 23, captured 243. Arms captured, rifles 36, shotguns 10, revolvers 33, bolos 40, daggers 3, and ammunition 1,007 rounds. Palay captured 5,125 pounds. Constabulary casualties, killed 1, deserted 14. Arms lost, 8 rifles and 6 revolvers.

Work accomplished by municipal police, nothing of consequence. There were none wounded and 3 deserted. Three rifles, 4 shotguns, and 7 revolvers were lost. Telegraph stations in province, 5. Telephone stations in province, 9.

There is a circular telephone system connecting stations in such manner that if cut at any point messages can be transmitted to same point in opposite direction. There are 3 scout companies stationed in the province, I at Imus, 1 at Naic, and 1 at Silang and Las Marinas.

There are 2 companies near the border of Cavite and Rizal and Batangas, 1 at San Pedro Tunasan and 1 at Nasugbu.

The conditions in this province are bad and have always been.

It is unfortunate that this province was not included in those turned over to the military and allowed to receive the same chastisement that Batangas, Laguna, and Tayabas received.

The present history of the province would no doubt be different. Conditions are somewhat better now than they have been heretofore. With the installation of an army officer as governor and eradication of political features from the province, it is hoped that things will brighten up. At the close of the last fiscal year the population had apparently decided that they would not be governed. The constabulary was very unpopular. A volunteer organization was tried as an adjunct to the constabulary, which accomplished some indifferent work. Quite a number of ladrones surrendered at one time and some of them were enlisted into the constabulary, but nearly all have deserted or been discharged without honor; several of those remaining are now in confinement awaiting trial for various offenses. In very few instances have outlaws made a stand to fight, and results have been accomplished only by locating bands and attacking them unawares. The people in most of the towns are in sympathy with the outlaws and warn them of the approach of constabulary or scouts. Conditions in the southern part of the province have improved very much and it is believed there will be no further trouble in that section. The town officials have all recently been suspended in San Francisco de Malabon, and the provincial authorities propose to extend this to other pueblos. The most troublesome outlaw in the province is Felizardo. The military and constabulary have tried for two years to capture him without success. He has a following of about 40 men with 27 guns. His followers are such adepts in the rapid change from outlaw to "buen amigo" that we have not been able to apprehend them and stay within the bounds of the law. His rendezvous is in and about Bacoor and Imus, and he has as lieutenants Pilio, Santos, and Patugo. Another troublesome character in the province is Montalbon, who styles himself a general of brigade. At the present time his

troops are disbanded and he is hiding. His lieutenants are Vega, Tocio, Anastacio, Hermogenes, Caro, and Encarnacion. They infest the country about Malabon and Imus. Around Indan and Alfonso is a small band under Masigla and Tunasaan. Around Maragandon and Magillanes are small bands under Infanta and Julian Ramos. Still another band under Luis Sipat around Indan had the misfortune a few days ago to lose their leader, he being killed by scouts from San Pedro Tunasan. There is much land in the province lying idle and no apparent attempt being made to cultivate it. The province is naturally rich and should to-day be one of the most prosperous districts in the islands. The provincial board is making more effort now than at any time during the year to improve conditions and administration in the towns. It is not known why. Possibly the hope of being governor having vanished, the officials have concluded to go to work. There was a period when candidates were more numerous than flies. The municipal police will continue worthless until a strong hand is placed over them. It would, I believe, be a wise move to place a good constabulary inspector in Cavite as chief of police and aide to the governor. The court of first instance has been untiring in its efforts to punish evildoers and its hands are still full. There are now upward of 70 prisoners in the provincial jail awaiting trial. The outlaws from this province concentrated a short time ago around Mount Gonzales, in Batangas, and then proceeded to the town of Bay, in Laguna, and robbed the tobacco company which has an agency there. The Chinos were also robbed. The municipal funds were not molested. The matter of complicity of the presidente of the town is still under investigation. The outlaws in the province pose as patriots, but their occasional robbery of towns show them in their true light and should condemn them even in the eyes of the irreconcilables.

CAGAYAN.

Senior Inspector, Capt. GEORGE D. LONG.

The authorized strength of this province is 162. There are at present stations and 5 inspectors.

Arms captured, 1 Remington carbine; expeditions, 3; no killed, wounded, or captured; 9 stolen horses and 1 carabao have been recovered; 25 warrants received and 18 executed. Municipal police poor. Their duties consist of principally acting as servants and messengers for presidentes.

There are no organized bands of ladrones and but few depredations except theft of carabaos. This is done principally by henchmen of the wealthy class. The animals are stolen from the poor people, driven into neighboring provinces, sold to the wealthy class, and an additional batch stolen on the return trip. The poorer class is imposed upon and are practically peoned by the better class. Many of the municipal officials are corrupt and are dictators within their sphere.

The only military troops in this province and Isabela are 3 companies of scouts. There were 5, but 2 of them have been withdrawn; 2 more are to be withdrawn. At one time during the year alarming reports were sent in by the military commander of the district to the effect that an uprising against the government was feared and that arms were being landed, but time and investigation have shown that there was no foundation to the rumors, and there seems to be no such intention on the part of the inhabitants.

Opium smoking is the principal vice among the people.

Telegraph stations, 2; telephone stations, none. A telephone system should be established in this province.

The constabulary has a small boat which is operated on the river, but the draft is too great for successful work during the greater part of the year. Three thousand dollars should be expended in removing the débris from the river to aid navigation. Several private boats navigate the river in the interests of the tobacco merchants. It costs 1,350 pesos per month, exclusive of coal, to maintain the boat on the river. It is doubtful if the service performed warrants this expenditure. Cholera has prevailed to some extent during the year in the Cagayan Valley. The province could be considered in good condition were it not for the oppression of the poor and ignorant classes. The work of the provincial board and constabulary is gradually making headway against these irregularities. The Americans, by just and fair administration, are convincing the people that the work is in their interest, and they are learning to appeal to them for protection.

ISABELA.

Senior Inspector, Capt. A. O. SORENSON.

Authorized strength, 162. Number of expeditions and engagements, usual patrolling through province. There have been no engagements, no casualties, and no desertions; 1 rifle and 1 revolver were surrendered. Stolen animals recovered, 13 horses and 13 carabaos. Warrants received, 26; executed, 23. Arrests without warrant, 36. Arms lost, 1 carbine and 1 revolver. Condition of police, poor. Arms lost by police, 1 revolver.

Conditions are somewhat out of the ordinary on account of four or five different tribes living side by side, all in different stages of development; nevertheless there is no cause for alarm from a peace standpoint, but I consider that justice is sadly lacking, and that may in a future time cause extended bloodshed. Quite a number of civilized Calingas live near the towns and have apparently no wish to go back to the hills. These people are imposed upon by the town people, who rob them of the animals they possess or the land they have cultivated. Another abuse existing here is the feudal system. Practically everybody outside of towns acknowledge a certain family in town as their master. In that line also justice is lacking, as it is always administered by town people, and their interests are considered. Slavery is also carried on to an alarming degree, and murder is the first step in securing the slaves afterwards to be sold. The tobacco companies, especially the Tabacaleras Company, through their large estates and the number of people working for them, wield too much power. Opium smoking is carried on extensively by the richer Filipinos. The poor people can not afford to do so habitually, but, if addicted to it, use it when they can get it. This deplorable habit is generally only found in the towns. On account of the laxity in municipal administration, gambling is carried on extensively. The Filipino in town does but little work; he is practically fed by the barrio people, who bring to their masters practically all their produce. The senior inspector says that the lazy, opium-smoking, and gambling town people are the governing class, and they govern to suit themselves.

American agents should be appointed to protect the Calingas, and where those people have no lands a sufficiently large piece should be given them. It is believed that within a very short time a marked improvement would be shown. This will also give the Calingas an opportunity to settle down, as is evidenced by their desire to stay near the towns, in order to dispose of their products. At present this is not possible, as no matter where they stay some Filipino will claim the land and insist upon collecting shares. The senior inspector states that the Calingas living around the towns are more law-abiding than the Filipinos.

The senior inspector recommends that the municipal police be done away with and towns should pay a just share of constabulary maintenance, and a detachment of constabulary should be put in every town. The present system of police is useless, as they are practically muchachos for the consejales, presidente, and juez de paz, but with proper supervision and training better results would be obtained.

The following is an extract from a report on the existence of slavery in the province by Captain Sorenson:

"Buying and having slaves has evidently been very common in this valley during the Spanish occupation. I am satisfied that to a large extent the poorer population in the towns and barrios are the descendants of the former slaves bought from Igorrotes or Calingas by the richer Spanish or Ibanag landowners. The two Christian tribes in this valley are the Ilocanos and the Cagayans, of Idanaga. The former are immigrants from Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, and they have practically only been here for a generation. They came here as laborers for the tobacco companies, and eventually stayed and settled here. The latter tribes are the original inhabitants of the valley, but are somewhat indolent and do not care to work for others.

"These two tribes are confined in a very narrow strip of land, in fact only about 20 miles wide, taking in only river-bottom land of the Cagayan River and its tributaries, and their only crop is tobacco, which can not profitably be raised by them on the higher land not inundated during the rainy season. They are also afraid of living in isolated places, as families that have done so are killed by the uncivilized tribes whenever opportunity offers. The non-Christian tribes living in this valley and surrounding foothills and mountains are the Calingas or Gaddanes, Igorrotes, Negritos, Ilongottes, and Catalanganes. Of these the Igorrotes and Calingas are confirmed head-hunters, and consequently always at odds with their neighbors, even if they belong to the tribes. The Igorrotes, I think, are the larger tribe, at least they are more plentiful in this province, and in appearance and manner very much like the ordinary Filipino, and though they consider a gee string to be ample cover

ing for anybody, they are otherwise as far advanced as the barrio Filipino. They have bamboo houses, cooking utensils same as used by Filipinos, raise rice and garden truck, have horses and carabaos, make baskets and earthenware pots, and in fact have all the comforts enjoyed by their Christian brothers. They live in so-called rancherias, very much resembling a barrio, but generally situated in out-of-the-way places. As they covet the possession of heads for religious or other purposes, and as these heads are never obtained from their own rancho, they naturally do not live on the best of terms with the outer world. In making raids on other rancherias for head-hunting purposes some prisoners are generally taken with the idea, I think, of killing them afterwards, or selling them, as the Igorrotes do not keep slaves. In disposing of their slaves they generally do as follows: A small number of Igorrotes, generally about four or five, will appear in a town with one, two, or three prisoners, as the case may be, and make known to the people that they wish to dispose of them. They will generally be accompanied by an interpreter, who is often a hunter, who is on good terms with the Igorrotes. He will take them around to the most likely houses in town, and no doubt gets a fee for his trouble. After some dickering and showing the fine points of their wares, a bargain is struck, cash is handed over, and the Igorrotes depart. The slave is then put to work in the house, and shortly afterwards baptized, is treated well, learning to speak the native dialect, and no doubt thoroughly appreciates the change. He is, of course, assigned to the meanest and hardest work, as carrying water and the like, but nevertheless well treated for fear that he should run away, and his only compensation is food and what little clothing he needs. His master will generally see that he gets married in due time, and whenever he thinks that he can safely do so he sends him out to his ranch to work there.

"My investigation of this matter has been conducted very quietly, as it would look suspicious in the eyes of the natives if I should inquire too deeply into the prices paid or personally interview the buyers. I have, therefore, had a young native to furnish me the following list of persons who have bought slaves during the last year. The slave owner will make himself believe that he is doing a very commendable thing in rescuing an infidel and having him brought up to become a good Christian; true also, if carried on for some time, the non-Christian will become assimilated and a Christian.

"I stated in my telegram that the governor, Señor Dichoso, had recently bought three slaves. This I have not been able to verify. On the list given me he is supposed to have only bought one of a lot of three recently sold here. Of the remaining two one went to his father-in-law, Andres Claraval. The third of this lot I have not been able to trace, as I did not like to show too much zeal in the matter at present. "Ingorrotes sold in Ilagan within last year:

"To the presidente, Pascual Peguirigan, one boy 12 years old for $130. This boy is doing housework.

"To Gabriel Naramag, sheriff of the province, one girl 12 years old for, he believed, $150. She is doing housework.

"To Pedro Gangan, consejal, a woman 25 years old and a man 26 years old for $145. They both do housework.

"To Desiderio Camarao, a merchant doing business in this valley, with house in Aparri, a boy and a girl about 10 years old for $250. These children are working in house in Aparri.

"To Luis Putat, owner of a billiard hall, a boy 8 years old for $115. This boy is doing housework.

"To Blas Padagas, an Ilocano consejal, a boy about 10 years old for $150. This boy does housework.

"Señor Padagas also bought another boy of about 10 years of age and sold him afterwards to Irineo Comaseng, manager of cooperative store in Ilagan, for $180. This boy has been sent to Manila, where he now works for Irineo's sister, living somewhere in Santa Cruz, Manila.

"To Juan Paggao, a former consejal, and whose son is now consejal, a man 27 years old for $110. This slave died about two weeks after being purchased.

"To Señor Dichoso, governor of Isabela, a boy 14 years old. Have not been able to ascertain the price paid.

"To Andres Claraval, father-in-law of Señor Dichoso, a woman 26 years old. Also not able to ascertain price in this case.

"José Patangg, a boy ten years old for $170. This boy is working on owner's ranch in barrio Lulutan.

"While in Aparri en route for this station I saw three Negritos-two boys and one girl. The boys were about 14 years old and the girl slightly younger. Inquiring, I was told that they belonged to a Chino merchant, who had bought them recently. The boys were working in rear of the Chino's house, facing the river, and engaged

in filling in and raising the level of the land with soil obtained in or near the river. The girl was working in the cuisine.

"As seen from above list, only the very best or richest class of inhabitants keep slaves. Naturally the poorer could not afford to buy them. Nevertheless, it is apparently a good investment, as the salaries for field hands are about 4 or 5 pesetas a day, or a certain part of the crop.

"The people here, especially the officials, are very bitter against the Calingas, who they declare ought to be killed whenever met. This is certainly a very bad state of affairs, considering the impossibility of fastening the guilt of these murders on individual Calingas. They roam over such a large territory that it is impossible to know by which band a certain murder has been committed, and there are never any eyewitnesses to these affairs, as they are always perpetrated on hunters, travelers, or families living in isolated ranchos. The Calinga, though, is not entirely to blame, as he is treated unjustly, and practically has no standing in their courts. Besides these so-called hunters in doing so invade the country of the Calinga and whenever opportunity offers will steal their carabaos and horses, or kill them, claiming that they thought they were wild carabaos or horses. The main trouble is that in revenging himself he does not always get the guilty parties.

"A peculiar fact connected with the selling of a slave is that an Igorrote never sells Calingas as slaves, or vice versa, which no doubt shows that they do not show each other mercy, but that if prisoners are taken they are invariable killed.

"A Tagalo by the name of Casme Ferrer, living in this town, and a hunter at odd times, has acted as go-between in the selling of slaves at various times, and I am assured that if any Filipino should want to invest in a slave this man could arrange to have a lot brought in here for selection.

"AUGUST O. SORENSON, "Senior Inspector Isabela Province."

While the province is practically free from ladronism, the political features are bad and need attention.

ILOCOS SUR.

Senior Inspector, First Lieut. A. E. HENDRYX.

Authorized strength 162. There are 4 stations with 6 inspectors. There is 1 military station at Salomague. There have been 191 expeditions, covering 1,130 miles; engagements 6, outlaws killed 6, wounded 18, captured 44. Arms captured, 3 rifles, 2 cannons, 19 revolvers, 11 shotguns, 143 bolos, 18 daggers, and 23 rounds of ammunition. Twelve stolen animals recovered. Warrants received 69, executed 55.

Arrests without warrants 381. No arms lost; none killed, wounded, or deserted from constabulary. Deaths from cholera 11, bubonic plague 1.

Conditions in province have generally been quiet. A band of ladrones under Vister operated for a time, but has been broken up. Vister was a subinspector of constabulary, who was confined for horse stealing; broke jail and organized a band of outlaws. He is now in hiding; last heard from in Bataan Province. The senior inspector has been changed four times during the year. The supply officer has recently been relieved and will be discharged from the constabulary service upon his settlement with the auditor. The province is generally quiet and no indications of disturbances.

ILOCOS NORTE.

Senior Inspector, Capt. W. G. GATCHELL.

Authorized strength 156. There are 5 stations in the province and 4 officers. Expeditions, usually patrolling in province. No engagements or outlaws killed or captured. Arms captured, 3 rifles, 3 shotguns, 11 bolos, 3 daggers, and 141 rounds of ammunition. Stolen animals recovered, 3 ponies and 5 carabaos.

Warrants received 43, executed 42. Arrests without warrants 15. Efficiency of police fair. No casualties of constabulary or outlaws. The province has been remarkably free from crime.

During the months of July and August, 1902, this province was infested with cholera. All through the run of the disease the constabulary did good work as quarantine guards. Three of its members were stricken and died. In the month of November, 1902, there was supposed to be a band of about 20 ladrones operating in the foothills in the eastern portion of the province, but from the arrests made it could not be proven that such a band existed. There had been an attempted murder and numerous robberies, and in several instances it was reported that about 20 men took