New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-20
THE PHILIPPINE REBELLION.

nv far the best and indeed the only authori-
tative and crcumstantial account when mas
come to hand of the outbreak progress and
character of the insurrectiOn In the Philippihe
Islands appears in "The National Review OF
London for the present month. 1t Is from the
pen of Mr.. John Foreman, +. X. q. -. and
bears date of Manila, November =, lS06 Many
things have occurred in the islands since tlat
time, but the most important features OF me
revolt were fully developed before II, and with
them the writer deals most lucidly ana con-
vincingly The story is a grewsome one nut IL
bears on every line the stamp OF information
and sincerity and is doubtless worthy or ac-
ceptance as true and impartial account of oc-
currences which have transformed summer
isles of Eden" into something like an earthly
hell
The instruction organized, Mr.. Fore
man tells us, by the half-breeds who are
thanks to Spanish tolerance and even encour-
agement of miscegenaton, numerous. The con-
spirators bound themselves by Oaths, which
they signed with their own blood drawn from
self-nfcted wounds in their legs. The pc
cular scars of these wounds form a certain
means of identifying the rebels and have thus
proved fatal to many arrested suspects who
otherwise might have got free. The conspiracy
was chiefly against the Roman Catholic clergy,
who dominate the civil government as well as
the religious affairs Of the islands. and II was,
says Mr.. Foreman. betrayed TO the Spanish
authorities through confession made to
priest. As this statement. first made some
weeks ago by correspondent in the columns
of The Tribune. has been challenged. II is peril
nent to quote Mr.. FOremans explicit corrob-
Grafton of 1t. THE general massacre of whites
he says, was TO have taken place on the night
"of August 30 last, but at almost the last hour
"a woman came to Father Mariana Gil, the
parish priest of Tondo--a suburb of Manila
land paved the way for a repentant member
"of the League TO make his full confession Of
1.-The plot under promise of immunity from
punishment The promise was given and the
confession made. An hour afterward the civil
guard was on the track Of the principal lead
''ers of the movement"
That Japan melted the outbreak has fire.
quently been alleged. Mr.. Foreman dscredits
it. and declares that all well-informed men in
that part of the world also dscredit it. Some
5000 natives and half-breeds did sign and send
petition TO the Japanese Government, asking
it TO annex the islands. But so far from COM
plying the Japanese Government sent the petit
ton TO the Spanish Government. to warn il Of
the treason that was being Matched. The lat
ter cOntented itself with blacklisting all the
signers, and took no steps to check the rising
dsaffectiOn until the storm actually burst
When the disclosures were made to the priest
some 800 arrests were quickly made of ring
leaders in the plot, including some of the rich
est men in the colony. The loyal Spanish in
habitants OF Manila became much concerned
One of the papers printed a patriots" article
fervently supporting the Government, and urg-
ing the people to go to the Governor General
in body to discuss extraordinary means of
defence The people did so, but the Governor
General refused to receive them and fined the
paper $500
Hostilites soon began, and extended through |
out large part of the islands. The rebels in
the field were numerous and well armed but
badly disciplined and badly led. They consist
ed chiefly Of natives. Differed by alf-breets |
and they manifested in an intensified degree
all their old-time savagery. Mr.. Foreman re-
lates, with every circumstance OF time and |
place, tales of unspeaka Bile cruelties committed
by them upon women, children and priests |
rivalling in horror anything told of mad |
dened Apaches There is no cause for wonder
irg In view Of these things, that some Euro
pean women at Manila have actually gone mao
through fear. The cruelties committed by the
Spanish have been bad enough. though not COM
parable with those of the rebels and the whole |
struggle appears to be one of unredeemed atroc
ity.
Although the Spanish are enormously Outnum-
bercd, Mr.. Foreman thinks they will win. The
insurrectiOn was ill-cOnceived and has been i'll |
managed throughout. Some Of the plans OF the |
oOnspratOrs were ludicrOus in the extreme |
Thus Chinese half-caste was TO be King of |
Manila, and the halfcastc son of a Chinese |
coolie was to be King OF Cavite while a little |
tailor of Manila was to be Chancellor of the |
EXchequer. The fuliment Of such schemes
as Mr.. Foreman well says would mean the |
most virulent anarchy. The Spanish Govern
nent is largely responsible for the unruIy dis |
position OF the natives and for the character |
stic viciousness of the half-castes and il must |
bear the responsibility of the trouble that has |
come upon it. But it, or some other European |
government, is the only possible one. Japanese |
rule would not he respected, and could be es |
tablished only after wholesale slaughter of the |
natives, and native sef-government would be |
such as would make Hayti mt its worst seem
paradise OF order. peace and justice.
Chicago paper objects to the calling Of Mr.
organs book a. biography. on the ground that |