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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