The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-06
INFAMOUS POLICY OF SPAIN
ISLANDS PLUNDERED FOR BENEFIT
OF OFFICIALS AND PRIESTS.
An Archbishop Who Urges Religious
War-Dewey May Capture Manila
without Further Fighting.
Correspondence of the Journal.

with the shore is easy thanks to the per-
mission of Admiral Dewey, who has shown
most remarkable powers of administration
under anomalous circumstances. 1t must be
understood that Spanish rule still prevails,
and that there are about 25,9O0 troops In
the capital. 1t is said that the government
has enrolled about 10000 volunteers, but
this / take it, is brag. 1t would simply
mean that they had reinforced the insur-
gents with that number of men.
Here, then, is Dewey with his small
squadron not only overawing the heavy
odds of Spanish troops but in possession
of the harbor and preventing the arrival
of supplies. Hunger. or rather famine, will
render any man desperate and, although
there is some stealing and robbery, yet the
city is kept in remarkably good order, but
only on account of Deweys presence. 1t is,
however not safe for stranger to peram-
bulate the almost deserted streets, and more
dangerous, of course, to go openly as an
American correspondent. The letters of in
PRODUCTION from Shanghai friends to an old
and wealthy German resident left the i'm
preston that came in the interest of a
German paper, and have taken excellent
care not to destroy that Illusion. The con-
sequence is that the Spanish officers to
whom l have been introduced talked with
considerable freedom, and it is impossible
not to marvel at the Grass ignorance man.
ifested by them
walk through the business part of the
city has a depressing influence. The Plaza
del Padre Moraga and the Rosario are de-
serted save for the staggering, fierce-look-
ing Spanish officer VINO has not yet realized
that Othello's occupation is gone. These Of
ficers, one and all. are convinced that Eu-
rope will interfere to prevent the despoil-
ing of Spain. They talk of kindred races
and in the same breath mention the abso-
lutte certainty of German Intervention 1t is
all nonsense. of course. for although Ger
many would by no means object to secure
these rich colonies, the attitude of England
is such that no European power will dare
obstruct Admiral Dewey's measures. only
mention the tenor of these conversations to
show that all self-reliance Of the Spaniards
is utterly gone.
/ doubt very much If our troops will have
to fight. notwithstanding the fact that the
very existence of the Spaniards is at stake.
There is no ghost of doubt that every in
habitant of Manila, excepting those who
boast of being born in Spain, is an insur-
gent or a sympathizer of the instruction.
These people will not talk to me, being sus-
picious of the company I frequent, but
can readily account for the universal hatred
prevailing against all that is Spanish Ma
tive Philippines residing in Madrid ex-
pressed their grievances in an address to
the Spanish people. 1t contains extracts
from the Philippine budget for the last ad-
ministrative year QS96-1S9O, and enumer-
o+o f0II
ing from the budget it states that the
Philippine treasury pays a heavy contribu-
ton to the general expenses of the govern
ment at home (Madrid); the pension of the
Duke De Veragua (our guest during the
Columbian exhibition, and that of the Mar
quis of Bedmar. besides those of the sultans
and native chiefs tdatos) of the islands of
Suu and Mindanao; it provides for the
entire expenses of the Spanish consulates at
Picking, Toxic Hong-Kong, Singapore,
Annoy, Saigon, Yokohama and Melbourne
for the staff and material of the minister
of colonies. including the purely ornamental
Council of the Philippines; the expenses of
supporting the colony of Fernando Pc, in
Africa, and all the pensions and retiring al
lowance of the civil and military employees
who have served in the Philippines, amount
mum.
WHOLESALE ROBBERY.
What mich COW these islands have been
for the Spaniards! What host of ignorant.
idle hidalgos have fattened upon huge sums
wrested from the unfortunate toilers
And what has Spain done in return? The
document from which translate this states
the facts with seathing bluntness: More
than eighty-six millions of pesetas is the
amount debited to the Philippine budget for
that year, but not a penny is allowed for
public works, highways, bridges, or pub
lie buildings. and only 10000 pesetas for
scientific studies necessary works, rivers
and canals. while the amount set apart for
religious worship and clergy amounts to
nearly 100000 of pesetas. In this sum is
not included the amounts paid to the clergy
for baptsmS, marriages, sale of indulgences.
papal bulls. scapularies, etc, which exceeds
the government allowance. The magnificent
sum of 100000 pesetas is set apart as a SUBJ
venticn to railway companies and new pro-
jects of railways; but the College for Fran
ciscan monks in Spain and the transporta-
ton of priests comes in for Z75.000 pesetas.
1t seems really as if the world had gone
back three centuries, and as if we were liv-
ing in the time of bloody Philip IL, after
whom these most unfortunate islands were
named Thirty-thousand pesetas for all
the new improvements, but the choir
of the Manila Cathedral receives 10000
and $4,000 pesetas are set apart for
the support of the cathedral. Public
instruction, including scientific, naval,
art. and technical schools must be
maintained at gross expense of 3OS 525
pesetas. and from this pittance museums,
Libraries, the observatory and special
chair in the University of Madrid must be
paid. Add to this the squeezing and pecu-
lation of every Spanish official from the
governor general down to the lowest algua-
zil, and it is no wonder that these people
robbed right and left of the fruits of their
toll hate the Spaniard and will have no
more of Spanish rule.
l acknowledge that was not predisposed
in favor of our good friend and ally General
Don Emilio Aguinaldo Fami, or General
Aguinaldo as he is known to fame The
fact cannot be denied. nor does he attempt
to deny it, that ne received $4,000 from
His Eminence. Governor General Primo de
Rivera. and that he refused to share with
his Acknowledgements as had been under
stood But General Aguinaldo Is helping to
make history. and was anxious to obtain
for your readers a true account of this man.
and Of the role he has played In his island
home. The information ! obtained Is rather