LUKBAN
through which he was sent to persuade the people to return to their pueblos and rebuild their houses, and to urge the principales to report at the nearest military station to take the oath of allegiance before the American officers. But the task of organizing the civilian governments was a function assumed by the American station commanders, who were‘ directed in every case to follow as far as possible the wishes of the people’ under General Orders No. 43.
As far as practicable, the commanding officers were to follow the wishes of the people as regards the selection of cabezas and other town officials. In all likelihood, people selected their officials following the old traditional ways under the previous Spanish regime.
Thus, the principales and local elite, who lorded it over in the past, were back in power. All they had to do was take an oath of loyalty before the American flag, and power was handed to them in a silver platter. Of course, they were required to have an American flag flying over public buildings, establish schools, keep roads and trails in repair,‘ see that all the streets, houses, and surroundings were kept clean and in a sanitary condition; isolate and care for all cases of infectious or contagious disease; report promptly any outbreak of smallpox, cholera, or other serious disease; construct in each town not garrisoned a suitable building for public purpose, which could be used from time to time by detachments of troops to avoid the necessity of using private houses for such purpose; to maintain order, and to show proper respect for the officers in command of districts and their local officials.’ By June 16, 1902, the civil government was established in the province of Samar, and the island transferred to the civil authorities. 5
But many of Samar’ s important towns remained garrisoned where residents continued to be monitored by American troopers and the newly-organized Philippine Scouts composed of natives under an American commander. Towns like Guiuan, Borongan, Oras with subposts in Dolores and Tubig, Laguan with sub-posts in Pambujan and Palapag, Catubig, Catarman, Bobon, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Paranas, Sta. Rita, Binatac and Basey had garrisons. Each had at least a company of soldiers, but the garrisons at Calbayog and Catbalogan were each augmented by a company of Philippine Scouts. However, this number of garrisoned towns had been greatly reduced from the previous number of 45 towns. 6
In the meantime, all the ports of Samar were opened to coast trade beginning on May 15, and vessels began arriving immediately with food, clothing, and supplies. Competition resulted from the numerous attempts to develop business in hemp and copra. From 8 to 10 pesos a picul, hemp rose to 24 pesos, a price never before reached in the island. This was favorable to the peace efforts of the American colonial
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