Evening journal., 1897-01-25
~rRa'S CALLING YOKE.
Heroic Struggle Of the People
of the Philippine Islands.
LEADBBs BETRAYAL And DEATH.

Venezuela, the Washington OF the Islands.
Refused to Accept Life at the Price OF
Treaehery- Report of the Cuban's Cap
ture OF Santa Clara Confirmed.
VICTORIA, b. c., Jan. 25.-A New York
newspaper correspondent has just reached
ierc from tso Philippine islands. He says
regarding the struggle going on there:
] have reached this city sick at heart
and filled with Indignation at the events
IN the far distant Philippine islands, of
which have been a helpless spectator.
To begin at the beginning, few, in either
the British colonies or the United States,
have any knowledge as to the origin Of
the rebellion in the islands, or the chain
of notable cOntributory events precedent
to the opening of hostilities. 1t is the old,
DID story of Spanish conque~s and cruelty,
the rulers of the many islands of which
Manila is the capital having changed lit
tie in their customs or characteristics since
Magellan left them in possession, or Cor
tcz won and lost Mexico TO the flag of the
Ferdinands. While in Europe and Amer
lea civilization has progressed and develop
ed, in the far east it has remained station
ary, the church and the state governing in
conjunction, and the archbishop, the gov
srnor's superior, and the tOrtures of the
inquisition still well known from not in
frequent application.
The native people have through the CEN
turies borne their burden without protest
partly because they are as class submits
sive rather than independent OF ambitious
gentle and hospitable rather than warlike
81
ty. The power OF Spain has, too been con-
tinually pictured for them in glowing col
ors by the priests and emphasized by many
brilliant ceremonials, and it is not easy TO
sfface an impression thus received in in
fancy and carefully nurtured through sue
ceeding years.
Now, however, a change has come The
Philippian Washington has arisen in the
person of Francesca Venezuela. He has
sanctified with his blood the cause for
which he lived, and Venezuela dead is do
ing a greater work toward breaking the
letters of his native land than perhaps liv-
ing he might have accomplished. His mis-
sion ended with the organization of the
Sons of Freedom" his nartyr,lom came
fortnight after the premature disclosure
Of his plans, and his death was that of a
hero.
The Philippines Washington.
A word as to the personality of this re-
markable man. A mestizo (quarter white)
by birth, he was in early life left much to
himself and to the books which formed his
constant companions. From these he OBJ
tained the lofty ideas of self government
from which was carefully evolved his plan
for the eviction of the Spaniards and the
establishment of an island republic, mod
eled upon the constitution of the United
states. One by one his earnestness and
eloquence won him the friendship and sup
port of the wealthy half castles, the richest
and most influential class on the island
until June of last year saw practically al
Of this important body sworn to strike foi
and maintain the principle of Philippine
liberty when Venezuela should give tn,
word
Then the work Of preparing the native.
Tor the change began, the doctrine of free
dom being preached first in the mountain
villages, in which no Spaniard has yet sci
foot, then in the more distant islands
and last of all in Manila and the Other
seaboard towns. The wisdom Of this wa,
apparent. Once fired with ambition fol
self government, the natives would be i'm
patient of control, and false step on theil
part might turn we'll planned victory intC
inglorious defeat.
Favored by nature with magnetic per
sOnality-a form, face, an eyo and
voice to command and to be oboyed-Nene
zuela had no difficulty in winning the ma
tiyes to his flag especially as the Sranisl
rulers themselves blindly provided ampl,
cause for disaifection, doubling and treb
ling the taxation both of churca and
state in order to pour the money into
Spain's depleted Golfers and driving tn,
native working class to the very verge OF
famine, while they themselves retained al
their accustomed luxuries, all tine costly
pagcants by which the power Of Spair
had from century to century been Illus
trated.
Ready For Insurrection.
To give the message Of freedom to meI
SO disciplined was not difficult matter
and when August arrived the leader of tn,
ccvolutionists found that from his humble
ropemaker's shop he directed the move
ments Of at least flve-sixths of the popull
ton of the islands, not as a disorganizeg
mass, but as a well drilled and disciplined
well armed and well equipped force. Mill
tary tactics had already teen introduced
the original drill instructors being NATIVE
soldiers VINO Dut waited lhe command Z
Torsake the flag Of Spain. and the nativ
priests, who, from the first, have beer
most Jealous champions of the cause o
freedom
Then came Major Rocker, a German
officer; two Americans and an English
man, all experts in strategy and militar.
engineering, who, with two steamer load
Of arms and ammunition. were quietl,
disembarked on the opposite side of Luzei
island from Manila during the mcntl
prior to the firing of the first shot To en-
list the sympathy of these military fre
ances was as easy matter to the rebel
Is the buying of mnchinc guns, Snidcr
and Martins in HongEo & for the hal
,astes gladly gave their fortunci 90 tn
cause. and, with both men ANA money, ti
insurgent leaders were we'll SUPP lied III
order went forth at Hong6ong in carr
september that no arms or military sen
lies We're to be sold for exTort to Manul
hut long ere this the retcl arsanais har
been stocked with all things ,sont.al to
successful, if rroiTactod, canlpaigp.
Tenazuelasa FafaI r~r,r