The evening times., 1898-11-30
The Armed FtIipfnos.


The problem of the Philippines-by
which is meant the questions concern
ing the alleged opposition of the armed
insurgents TO American possession and
ownership-is taking an easier form by
the division of the Filipinos into fac
tions. 1t is not to be understood that
majority of the people of the islands
are not wholly favorable to the Ameri-
cans. On the contrary, the substantial
citizens and by far the greater number
have not changed their views on this
subject. They are known to prefer an
ne&ation TO any other course and they
welcome the Americans as their sa-
viors and guardians. Those now under
arms are little better than a mob and
are used by ambitious men, not with
the hope Of achieving independence,
but only TO extort something from this
nation. Spain has debauched them by
bribing the leaders of insurrection,
Aguinaldo himself having pocketed the
nice sum of about eighty thousand dol
lars to quit. 1t is only necessary To
/ convince them that America is quite
ullllhS SPAN, IL luIiA dDle 10 tSldDliSL
/ and maintain good order. and would
never buy the quietude of a rebel If
the armed Filipinos were capable of
united action they might cause some
/ trouble for a time, but they are not.
! There is no patriotic motive in their
present attitude, if that is correctly un-
derstood. There are rival leaders who
do not intend that any one shall have
/ the exclusive benefit of the expected
! purchase of peace by this country. and
unless they all speedily succumb to the
! new conditions they will be divided into
/ half dozen cliques that will be mu-
+ tually destructive.
| There is every reason 10 think that
( when most of the Fllpinos under
/ Aguinaldo and his rivals understand
! what annexation means, they will dis
/ band and go TO work. 1t is to be con-
/ sidered that they are entirely ignorant
4 of our institutions. The army officers
who have been in command there have
had no authority TO explain anything
to the people or TO hold intercourse with
them. To the average Filipino in the
native army the transfer of sovereignty
from Spain TO America is merely a
! change of masters. They are Yet to
learn the character of Z republican gov
/ ernment, and the fact that under its
rule the native will enjoy the same lib
/ erty that is the proud heritage OF the
! native American; that no government
/ which they could institute themselves
could guarantee greater degree Of per-
sonal liberty than will be theirs as sub
jects of the great republic. AS mat
ter Of fact, the more intelligent, whose
! influence will be decisive, know that the
fate of the Philippines would be that
of the earlier South American states
a series OF revolutions inspired by the
personal ambition Of demagogues under
which life and property would be inse-
cure and prosperity impossible.
1t will not require any long time for
these ideas to penetrate all classes in
the islands. when there will be a ready
and a glad and grateful acceptance of
American administration with its
countless benefits. 1t may be necessary
for the first authorities, Admiral Dewey
in particular. TO deal firmly with the
intractables, but there will be no serious
difficulties. The news of this morning
that the natives in the Viscayas have
set up a kind Of government indepen-
dent Of Aguinaldo is encouraging in
one way. 1t reveals the growing rival
ry of the different leaders and the abb
sence of any general policy of opposi-
ton to the Americans.