The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-10-14

no CONTROL TaEM-A NATIVE
REPUBLIC WOULD BE A FALL
ANNEXATION OR INDIE
NDBScB THE ONLY soLU
oS EHEX WOULD PREFER
An AMERICAN PRorEcToRATE.
~. Ramon Reyes Laia, who Is now
"a New York. Is The only native Of the
philippines in the United States with
ne exception Of tho two delegates who
a their way to present the claims
q he natives before the Paris peace
cSmnisslon. Mr. Laia Is a member Of
aSeaithV and influential native family.
"a was educated at st. Johns College,
London. and was for many years PRONE
inent in the business and social life OF
Manila. As result OF his interest In
he revolutionary plans Of the natives,
Sc wa compelled 70 change his resi-
dedca to the United States a few years
ago. He IS a representative OF the
most intelligent and high-minded Fill
6inos. and his remarks are highly In
arssfing as giving the views of the
be5nle most Interested in the destiny OF
ire Philippines. Mr. Lala 10 at present
ENGAGED IN writing a history Of the Isl
lands. His views on their destiny are
summarized in the following article;
50 much has been written about the
Philippines in a purely descriptive way,
that / pre-suppose some knowledge of
them.
This article has to deal with few of
the problems that viii soon ask for So
tuition at the hands OF the conquerlng
Americana,
I believe America has an unparalleled
opportunity--an opportunity not only
for wealth and commercial advantage,
but also for humanity and for civiliza-
ton
Though Manila is at present in the
iiEndg az the Americans, all the rest Of
HdHun and most OF the other Islands are
held BY the insurgents, who have also
ffeH IoiEo and Cebu, the two other
chief ports. The peace commission ap-
1olnted by the President Is to decide, Il
fFEnfd, what % to be done With the is
5 isnds. THIS at least seems to be the
Ida Of the administEa tion; but what
ever the commission may decide, L as
Fiiliplno-with q thorough knowledge OF
my countrymen and OF the conditions,
assert that the decision OF this commits
ION can in no way afect the destiny OF
TIE archipelago. This may seem a
strange statement, but It Is neverthe-
less true. Suppose that the Americans
decide to keep the Islands, which are
now virtually theirs by Fight OF con-
quest and possesslon-the natives viii
receive the exchange OF Spanish ty-
ranng for American liberty all too
gladly. There will be no opposltion;to for
this Is the logic Of destiny, and in line
with the trend OF events.
Should, however, the commission de-
eide that the southern Islands shall be
5lven back 20 Spain, while Luzon alone
q retained by the United States, be-
iieve me, this decision win be rendered
inpossrbIe by the attitude OF the ma
ffves themseIves--for the VisaEas, the
Inhabitants OF the southern Islands. are
even more fierce and waFllke than the
Tagalos, the natives OF the north, ana
WI surely not brook Spanish mlsfule
while theIf brothers are enjoying the
feneats 81 American civilization. Sup
pose furthermore, that the commission
decides to give all the Islands back 10
Spain. the United States to retain a
eoaiIns and naval station and 70 re-
ceiVe indemnity for losses Incurred
while In the orient?
The money might be paid and the
coallng station would probably be CIV
en- up; but the Islands can never again
come into Spanish possession VIII
tel yOD how know this. Even in 1886
the Society Of the Katlpunan, founded
BY the Philippine martyr DR.. Rial,
whose sworn object It was to drive the
Spanish oppressor from the archipela'
%, numbered 100000 members. Within
the past six months, this order hos
gown tremendously. Victory after VIC
tory over the once feared spaniard was
won By Agllinaldo and his enthusiastic
Followers. The back Of the Spanish
power was broken and the morale oil
their army was forever destroyed. The
natives found that when equally armed
Filipino was a5 good as Spaniard
any day. Thus the cause OF the lnsur.
gents has been strengthened, and the
Katpunan now numbers 100000 mem
bers. ali Of whom have sworn that theiI
country shall be free from Spanish rule
This Is not commonly known, but \
Il true, and do not believe that ever
10000 spaniards will now be able e
conquer ms country and keep X In sub
lection. Tho FIliplnos have tasted the
sweets OF liberty and the fruits OF VIC
tory. They will not and cannot be de-
prlved OF them.
The spnnlards have broken every
promise that they have ever made anG