The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-11
They Should Not Be Restored to the
Spanish, and Our Withdrawal
Would Be Followed by Anarchy.
INTRIGUE In CHINA'S CAPITAL
PROGRESS IS POSSIBLE IF THE LIFE
OF THE EMPEROR is SPARED.
Brutal and Unprovoked Attacks on
Foreigners in Japanese Cities
Possible Revolution in Korea.
Correspondence of the Journal.

Correspondence of the Journal.
MANILA, Island of Luzon Aug. Livery
interest is centered in the future of these
islands. They are lost to Spain, irrevocably
lost. The people of the United States may
be satisfied with harbor and coalng sta
ton, but it would cost an immense sacrifice
of blood and treasure to hoist once again
the CORY and lustful banner of San Jago.
The United States may withdraw, but then
she cannot escape the moral responsibility
of the murder and bloodshed which are
sure to follow. How can Spain, deprived
of her feet. hope to subdue these islands,
hated as she is by the peaceful masses,
while the more intelligent know full well
that restoration of Spanish authority
means nothing short of the garrote or the
sword. Could we leave the islands to be
united into republic, and under that form
of government to work out their destiny :?
Impossible. The moment our troops with
draw, Aguinaldo will have a score of rivals
who are now subservient in appearance be-
cause they fancy him supported by the
whole power of the United States. Agui-
naldo is, as I have always maintained, a
shallow-pated puppy. With extraordinary
conceit he prepared document which he is
pleased to can the Constitution of his (mon-
me, and cannot help giving a few extracts.
Here is the preamble:
don Emilio Aguinaldo Fami, Presi-
dent of the revolutionary government of the
Philippines and general-n-chief of the
army.
This government being DESTROYS to DEM
onstrate to the Philippine nation that one
OF Its aims is to combat with a firm hand
the lnveterate vices of the Spanish admin
istration, substituting for the personal lux
ury and extravagant ostentation which rem
der it crooked, heavy and torpid in it's
movements more modest, simple and ex-
peditiouS public service, / decree as fol-
lows
This is literal translation, and it would
seem as If the whilom dictator were willing
to introduce republican simplicity and econ
omy. Read then supplementary document
promulgated afterwards under the same
master hand:
art. VI-The provincial chiefs shall use
as the emblem of their office a gold-headed
staff with silver tassels. On the upper part
OF the head of the staff shall be engraved a
sun and three stars. Municipal chiefs shall
carry the stame staff, but with black tas-
sells. Assistant chiefs shall carry a silver
headed staff with red tassels.
Provincial councillors shall wear a tri-
angular jewel Of gold suspended from the
neck by chain of the same metal, a sun
and three stars being engraved on the jewel.
Delegates shall wear the same jewel, but in
silver and with silver chain.
Art. V1I-The President shall wear a
collar of gold with a jewel similar to that
above described and a gold whistle. The
secretaries shall wear a similar collar and
jewel, and directors the same in silver.
The President shall also carry a gold
headed staff with tassels of gold"
Instead of republican simplicity we have
here provision for regular circus parade.
And these tawdry. black-and-tan deformi-
ties would like to lord it over several mill
lions Of aborigines who, under an enight-
ened government may, and probably will
become the instruments to redeem their
race. One other question from this precious
constitution, and 1 am through with it:
Chapter I-Of the revoluntary govern
ment.
art. 1.-The dictatorial government shall
henceforth be styled the revolutionary gov
eminent, its object being to strike for the in
dependence of the Philippines until the free
nations including the Spanish shall express
ly recognize it. and to prepare the country
for the establishment of a true republic.
THE dictator shall henceforth be styled
the president of the revolutionary govern
ment."
The position of dictator was little too
hot for our friend, but he dies hard. Unless
he takes French leave. somebody will sit
down on him, and if the United States au-
thorities feel disinclined to render this serv-
ice to humanity there will be a scramble of
volunteers for the job. I only echo the
hope of all concerned that the United States
may have come to stay.