The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-09

ton at the hands of the conquering Amer
leans.
I believe America has an unparalleled
opDortunity-an opportunity not only for
wealth and commercial advantage, bat
also for humanity and for civilization.
Though Manila is at present in the hands
of the Americans, all the rest of Luzou
and most of the other islands are held by
the insurgents, who have also taken Iloilo
and Cebu, the two other chief ports. The
peace commission appointed by the Presi-
dent is to decide. il is said, what is 10 be
done with the islands This at least
seems to be the idea of the administration;
but whatever the commission may decide,
j, 'as a FKlpino-with a thorough knOWl-
edge of my Countrymen and of the con-
ditions, assert that the decision of this
commission can In no way effect the des-
tiny of the archipelago. This may seem
a strange statement, but it is nevertheless
true. Suppose that the Americans de-
eide TO keep the islands, which are now
virtually theirs by right Of conquest and
possession-the natives will receive the eX-
change of Spanish tyranny for American
liberty all too gladly. There will be 10
opposition; for this is the logic of dee-
tiny and in line with the trend of events.
Division of Islands Impossible.
Should, however, the commission decide
that the Southern Islands shall be given
ed by the United States, believe me this
decision Will be rendered impossible by the
attitude of the natives themselves-for the
Visayas, the inhabitants of the Southern
Islands, are even more fierce and warlike
than the Tagalos, the natives of the
North, and viii surely not brook Spanish
msrule while their brothers are enjoying
the benefits of American civilization. Sup
pose, Furthermore, that the commission
decides 10 give all the islands back to
Spain, the United States to retain coal
ing and naval station, and to receive in
demnity for losses incurred while in the
Orient?
The money might be paid and che coal
ing station would probably be given up:
but the islands can never again come into
Spanish possession. / viii tell you how 1
know this. Even in 1886 the Society of the
Katipunan. founded by the Philippine
martyr, DIR. Rial, whose sworn object il
was to drive the Spanish oppressor from
the archipelago. numbered 100000 members.
Within the past six months this order
has grown tremendously. Victory after
victory over the once feared Spauiard was
won by Aguinaldo and his enthusiastic
followers. The back of the Spanish pow
er was broken ana the morale of their
army was forever destroyed. The natives
found that when equally armed a Filipino
was as good as a Spaniard any day. Thus
the cause of the insurgents has been
strengthened and che Katipunan now
numbers 100000 members, all of whom
have sworn that their country shall be
free from Spanish rule
This IS not commonly known but it Is
true, and | do not believe that even 500 900
Spaniards will now be able to conquer
my country and keep il in subsection. The
Flipinos have tasted the sweets of liberty
and the fruits Of victory They will not
and cannot be deprived OF them
Inc 5pamards have broken every prom
Use that they have ever made. and thew
n can no longer be trusted. Far different Is
ak feeling toward the Americans, who