Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-11-07
ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES.
Commission Says People Are In
capable of Self Government.
NO ALLIANCE OFFERED
Neither Admiral Dewey Nor Any
Other American Officer Made
Any Promises.

Washington, ID. o., NOV. Sine re-
port of the Philippine commission has
been made public, and it shows pretty
conclusively the Filipinos are not capa-
BILE of lf-government and will not be Tor
years to come.
The commission says this government
owes it to the family Of nations to the
friendly Filipinos. and to the honor or
the flag to remain in the Philippines, ana
there is no course open except to prose
cute the war until the insurgents are re-
duced to submission.
Speaking of the ability of the Filipinos
to govern themselves, the commission
says the FilipinOS are not nation, Dut
variegated assemblage OF different trlDes'
and their loyalty is still of the tribal type;
Popular government cannot exist untll
education has elevated the masses, broad
ened their intellectual horizon, and dls-
ciplined their faculties OF judgment
Even the power of self-government can
not be assumed without considerable pre-
vious training and experience under the
guidance of an enlightened and liberal
sovereign power.
No Promises Made.
The commission is of opinion the insur-
rection prior to 1896 did not amount to
anything, and was started with nope
of relief from intolerable abuses rather
than the hope of independence Inc
Spanish government saw it would re
quire 100000 men to subdue the feDei-
lion, and decided to purchase Agulnaldo.
This was done. with the result with
which the reading public is familiar.
1t is also clearly shown by memoran-
dunn submitted by Admiral Dewey that
no alliance of any kind was entered into
with Aguinaldo by Admiral Dewey or
any one, no promises of independence be-
ing made at any time. April "A, 1898,
the consul-general at Singapore wired
Admiral Dewey that Agulnaldo was
there and would so to Hong Kong and
arrange with the naval commander for
general cooperation with the Americans,
If desired. The conSul-general was ad-
vised to tell Aguinaldo to go to Hong
Kong as soon as possible. The necessity
for haste was due TO the fact that the
squadron had been ordered to leave Hong
Kong the next day, because of the decla-
ration of war. AguinaldO did not reach
Hong Kong until after the fleet sailed.
He did not meet the admiral until after
Manila was at the mercy Of the Ameri-
can fleet.
Rebel Against Spain.
AS early as March 1 it was reported
by the consul at Manila that an insured
ton had broken out against Spain, and
5000 armed rebels were camped near the
city aud would be loyal to the Americans
had been brought from Hong Kong, was
allowed to land for the purpose of
strengthening the forces of the United
States and weakening those of the en-
envy. There were no preconcerted opera
tions or combined movement by the
forces of the United States and the Fill
pinos against those of Spain.
Soon after this Aguinaldo conceived
the idea of independence for the natives,
and issued proclamation promising free
dom to the natives on behalf of this gov
eminent. He had no authority for such
action, and freely admitted neither Dew
ely nor anyone else had given him such
promises. The rebel leader wanted to
loot Manila and take the arms from the
Spanish, but was not permitted to do So
A considerable portion OF the Filipino
Congress wanted to appeal to the Presi-
dent not to abandon the Filipinos At
the same time preparations for war were
going on. The commission says there
was nothing to do when the attack was
made on the outposts Of the American
army but to meet force with force.
1t then goes on to tell of the reign of
terror in the country after the fighting
began and deyOtes 4 large portion of its
report to the good effects OF it's proclama-
ton promising to grant as large a meas
ure of liberty as was consistent with the
ends of government, subject only to the
recognition of the sovereignty of this gov
eminent, and the efforts to conciliate
Aguinaldo, all of which failed. The COM
mission concludes by saying the object of
the struggle is not for liberty, pre-
tended by Aguinaldo, but for a continual
ton of his despotic rule. 1t assures the
people nothing was omitted to secure a
peaceful end of the struggle. but the OPP
portunities offered the rebels were neg
lected, if not Spurned.