The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-05
AMONG THE FILIPINOS
EVIDENCES OF WEALTH AND Gull
TURE IN THE UPPER CLASSES.
Very Far from Being UntutOred Saw
Filipino Soldier and His Ways.
Manila Letter in New York Post.

| panga, we were drawn to the window over
| looking the decorated street by the strains
| Of martial music, and saw approaching the
celebrated native band, followed by Aguin-
aldo behind his four milk-white steeds, and
surrounded by a mounted bodyguard. He
raised his hat in greeting to some of our
| party as he passed, while many of his staff
| and officers and civil dignitaries in the sue
ceeding carriages and on foot shouted salu-
tations Behind them marched a body of
troops as an escort This native band is
justly celebrated. venture the prediction
that if it ever comes to the United States.
even Sousa's Military Band will be over
Swallowed in popularity. Excellence of tone
and accuracy of time are characteristic of
all the native musical organizations, even
to the small theater orchestra and the man
dolin and guitar quntets. Wherever two
or three of these musicians are gathered to-
gether, there music is found.
President Aguinaldo proceeded to the
large government house where he held a
reception and was entertained at a ban
| quet. The Americans were presented to him
and sat at the table guests of honor.
Previously, however there was a review of
the troops, some three thousand of them
marching past the window where Aguinaldo
stood. A window in this country consists
of a broad opening in the side of the
house, extending nearly it's entire length
and closed by sliding frame of window
glass, or seashells, and wooden Stats. With
these drawn to one side, the whole in
terror is exposed. 1t was thus the President
Stood an American lady on either hand,
and backed by a group of his staff and
American officers while the troops marched
| by in column of tours.
The review was hv no means imDOsng
Indeed, there is nothing imposing about the
Filipino soldier He is neither romantic nor
stauesque. Wherever I have seen him,
guard or standing in line, he presents life
like representation of one afflicted with that
tired feeling" His backbone appears to be
plastic and his legs of unequal length. In
all my experience Of four months around
Manila / have never seen a company per-
form evoutions with anything approaching
| the precision and snap displayed by the
| American soldier either regular volun-
teer, with but few days of drill, nor have
seen anything but the simplest movements
attempted. They do not even keep step well,
and the manual Of arms seems as a
sealed book to them. They utterly lack that
conference and soldity that come from drill
and discipline, and to me they seem but
armed mob that would easily be brushed
troops. A few of them have served in the
Spanish army and show signs of training
and possess a degree of military bearing,
but the great majority have little of either.
The review over, Aguinaldo made a speech
in Tagalo to the crowd that filled the plaza,
but owing TO an unfortunate neglect of my
| early education 1 am unable to repeat it.
| There were, however, occasional illusions
| to the Americans, which always evoked ex-
] cluded with the inevitable photograph,
! Aguinaldo being taken with his fair Ameii-
! can visitors and the group or officers and
| dignitaries. Then followed the banquet.
DELECTABLE FEAST.
| Let no one imagine this was feast of
rice and garlic. On the contrary, away out
here in interior province of Luzon, with
| no one present besides the natives except
the few American guests, l sat down to as
fine a dinner as 1t was ever my good fortune
to attend There were spotless linen, fine
crockery and tableware in abundance, cut
| glass and silver, while the menu embraced
! multitude of finely cooked Dishes with
champagne and other wines. Fish, flesh,
| fowl and fruit with innumerable delcacies
| served promptly and in good style, kept US
| busy for more than an hour, and then came
| the toasts, both in Spanish and Tagalo. So
| far my limited acquaintance with the
| former language enabled me TO follow the
! speakers l gathered that the substance of
all the speeches consisted of praises of the
| 1berdtor as Agulnaldo is styled, and his
| counselors and soldiers, and the pledging
of faith to the Republica F1lipinas accom-
! panied by occasional illusions to America
| which were invariably greeted with APP
plause An American medical officer who
! was one of the speakers took occasion to
| announce that cable had just been re-
| ceived to the effect that the United States
| had demanded of Spain an indemnity of $780,
| 100000 or the cession of all her East India
! possessions and that Spain had acceded to
| the latter alternative. This statement was
! received with a shout of approval, and there
| followed vivas in rapid succession to the
United States, President Mckinley, the
! Americans, AguinaldO, the Philippine repub-
| lie and everything else their enthusiasm
! could suggest, Aguinaldo himself proposing
| Vivas for the Americans.
| This sentiment is not simply an express
| sion of present policy, but is genuine on the
| part CT the great masses of the people. They
! are immensely pleased with the Americans
| who have come so far across the sea to
! overthrow the power of their immemorial
! oppressors In my judgment this is all the
! masses care for, to be relieved from Span
| iSh rule and burdensome taxes and if the
| American government gives them this, they
| would be perfectly satisfied with the present
! status, were 1t not for the influential classes
! pendent republic. At present the influence
! of the leaders is powerful. Aguinaldo is al
! most venerated lei Libredor." and the
/ idea of an independent government under
the protection of the United States has
! taken strong hold upon the class com
Posing his ARMY m Is r on t6 5as PASS ney
careful to include the Republca Fiipinas
/ in all such sentiments
FEELING TOWARD AMERICANS.
The element of danger in the situation
! as L conceive it, is the Filipino army. both
organized and unorganized. Their heads are
| so swelled by their success in arms that
| they imagine themselves to be great fight
RS, and even think they could whip the
Americans should it become necessary. They
want to rule, to confiscate Spanish and
| church property, ana collect taxes and eX-
| actions such as they have become accus-
! toned to. Their idea of a government of
! their own is an opportunity to run things
| with high hand and to do unto the Span
! iards as done unto them The Amer
! lean idea of government and civil and in
| dividual liberty they do not comprehend.
| For this reason there may be friction in
establishing American authority and lay
| ing the Republica Filipinas on the table
! and delicate handling; yet ] believe this
| can be accomplished without clash or
arms My own idea is that in case of an
| nexation, the more wealthy and intelligent
l. natives should be given positions, such as
! provincial governors and district offices. and
| that a degree of local self-government be
| provided for. In this way the aristocracy
! might be plaeated and the backbone of OPP
| position broken.
! Returning from the banquet to our hosts
| residence, we INDUCED in the inevitable ST
| esta preparatory to attending the grand ball
| In the evening. With true native ease we