The San Francisco call., 1898-10-09

scriptive way that l presuppose some knowledge of them,
 This article has to deal with few of the problems that will soon ask for solution at the hands of the con quering Americans.
 I believe America has an unparalleled opportunity-an opportunity not onIy for wealth and commercial advantage but also for humanity and for eiVillza- tion.
 Though Manila is at present in the hands of the Americans all the rest of Luzon 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 Com mission appointed by the President is to decide, it is said, what is to be done with the islands. This at least seems to be the idea of the administration; but whatever the commission may de eide, l. as a Filipino-with a thorough knowledge of my cOUntrymen and of the conditions, assert that the decision of this commission can in no way af- feet the destiny of the archipelago. This may seem a strange statement, but 1t is nevertheless true. Suppose that the Americans decide to keep the islands, which are now virtually theirs by right of conquest and possession the natives will receive the exchange of Spanish tyranny for American lib erty all LOO gladly There will be no opposition; for this is the logic of des- tiny and in line with the trend of events.
 Should, however, the commission de- eide that the Southern Islands shall be given back to Spain while LuZOn alone iC a Pi hIy he he ieve me. this decision will be rendered impossible by the attitude of the na- tives themselyes-for the Visayas, the inhabitants of the Southern islands, are even more fierce and warlike than the TagalOS, the natives of the North, and will surely not brook Spanish mis- rule while their brothers are enjoying the benefits of American civilization Suppose, furthermore, that the commis- sion decides to give all the islands back to Spain the United States to retain coaling station, and to receive lndem- nifty for losses incurred while in the Orient?
 The money might be paid and the coaling station would probably be given up; but the islands can never again come into Spanish possession. I will tell you how l know this. Even in 1896 the Society of the Katipunan, founded by the Philippine martyr Dr. RiZal, whose sworn object it was to drive the Spanish oppressor from the archipelago, numbered 800 900 members. Within the past six months this order has grown tremendously. Victory after victory over the once feared Spaniard was won by AguinaldO and his en- thusiastic followers. The back of the Spanish power was broken and the morale of their army was forever de- strOyed. The natives found that when equally armed a Filipino was as good as Spaniard any day Thus the cause of the insurgents has been strengthened, and the Katipunan now numbers 600,000 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 l do not believe that even 100000 Spaniards will now be able to conquer my country and keep it In sub iection. The Filipinos have tasted the sweets of liberty and the fruits of vic tory. They will not and cannot be de- priYed O. them
 The Spaniards have broken every promise that they have ever made and they can no longer be trusted. Far different is the feeling toward the Anei jeans, who are now regarded by the natives as their deliverers from Spanish bondage But If the Ameri- cans give the islands back to Spain, they, as well as the Spaniards, will tn- cur the eternal hatred of the islanders. NOW LQlS IS what the tl1p1nOS want, and this l know is what they consider themselves entitled to have-in fact, 1t Is commonly understood in the islands that the following has been guaran- teed them by their American allies:
 Independence from Spanish rule shall be proclaimed.
 protectorate shall be abolished with a government designated by the American representatives and approved by the insurgent leaders.
 This government will recognize such temporary adjustments as may be made by the American or Euro pean commissioners.
 If a protectorate be established it will be of the same kind and nature as arranged for Cuba.
 The ports of the Philippines shall be opened free to the commerce of the world.
 Precautionary measures shall be adopted against Chinese immigra- tion, so as to regulate their competi- tion> with the natives, who at pres ent suffer severely thereby.
 The corrupt judicial system at present existing in the islands shall be promptly reformed-such reform to be intrusted to competent Ameri- can officials.
 The complete liberty of speech, of association and of the press shall be declared and maintained.
 IlGliSIOuo IO1tI dtlOI must DH iHdNP general throughout the islands; but the friars or religious corporations, of whom there are about 5000, who have been a cancer in the body poli-
 tic, and who have ever ruled the provinces with an iron hand, de- moralizing the civil administration and blasting every reform, must be expelled root and branch.
 The parish priests, whose pres
 enee is most necessary and bene-
 ficial, must remain undisturbed in
 the performance of their sacred
 calling.
 Measures conducive to the dis
 covery and development of the great
 natural resources of the country
 must be adopted and at once en-
 forced.
 The existing obstacles to the
 forming of commercial enterprises
 and investment of foreign capital
 shall be taken away and encourage
 meht shall be given tc every indus
 ESr
 The new government shall keep
 public order and prevent every act
 of al ocr nj.