o be
returned to military control, were organized under civil rule 'on
the recommendation' of the then commanding general (MacArthur). It
certainly seems unlikely that the haste to change from military rule to
civil rule came on the motion of the military. If the Commission ever
got, _in writing,_ from General MacArthur, a 'recommendation' that any
provinces be placed under civil rule while still in insurrection, the
text of the writing will show a mere soldierly acquiescence in the will
of Mr. McKinley, the commander-in-chief. Parol [463] contemporaneous
evidence will show that General MacArthur told them, substantially,
that they were 'riding for a fall.' In fact, whenever an insurrection
would break out in a province after Governor Taft's inauguration as
governor, the whole attitude of the army in the Philippines, from
the commanding general down was 'I told you so.' They did not say
this where Governor Taft could hear it, but it was common knowledge
that they were much addicted to damning 'politics' as the cause of
all the trouble." [464]

Prophecy is always dangerous and when unnecessary seems rather
inexcusable. I submit the essential portions of the record to
show exactly what we did get from General MacArthur, and add the
suggestion that it was really hardly essential that he should make
his recommendations in writing, as he did, for the reason that he
was a gentleman and would not have repudiated a verbal recommendation
once made.

On February 5, 1901, Governor Taft wrote General MacArthur a letter
closingwith the following paragraph:--

"As already communicated to you the purpose of the Commission is to
make a Southern trip on the 23rd of February, or as soon thereafter
as practicable, with the idea of arranging for provincial governments
there, and I am directed by the Commission to request your opinion
as to the provinces in which provincial governments may be safely
established. It is understood that Panay, Romblon, Tayabas, and
possibly one or two of the Camarines are ready for this. What has
been said with reference to the Northern provinces applies to these,
but we shall communicate with you further as to the Southern provinces
when we have been advised as to the possibility of securing a steamer."

On February 9, General MacArthur gave the following instructions to
the Commanding General, Department of the Visayas:--

"The Military Governor desires that you report to this office at
the earliest d