The Iola register., 1899-04-14
FILIPINO CAMPAIGN.
Gen. Lawton's Com mand Captures
Pagsajan and Lumbar.
FILIPINOS BEFORE OUR COMMISSION.
A Number of Natives Questioned on the
Future of tho Islands-Junta Com
ments on the Proclamation
Enemy Burn the villages.

the villages of Pagsajan and Lumbar |
yesterday with some resistance at the |
latter place. The mouth of the river, |
commanded by Lumbar, was effec-
tually blocked against the entrance of
the gunboats. Shells from the Laguna
de Bay drove most of the insurgents
in flight up the mountain side. A
small force remained in an old
church side, Offering resistance until
it was rushed by the troops. About
80 were captured and several killed.
There was one casualty among the
Americans, that being an arm wound.
The river mouth was to be dredged
to-day and the distractions removed.
Santa Cruz and Pagsajan are now
guarded by the men of the Fourth
cavalry. Part of the Fourteenth in
fantry with Gen. Lawton are in Lum-
ban. More troops are needed out here.
The fighting has only just begun.
While it is probable that there is an
end to the big engagements in the
Philippines between the Americans
and the Filipinos, the war is not at an
end by any means IL is the universal
opinion among army men here that it
will require the presence of $4,000
American troops to occupy the terri
tory that has been taken and to keep
open communication among the is
lands.
Gen. Lawton's advance promises to
meet with harassing resistance.
Trenches are built by the enemy from
town to town. On all sides the re bells
are in nightly communication by
means of signal fires. They avoid be-
ing caught in trap and are quick to
harass the flank Since the 25th the
enemys losses have not been more
than double ours Our kindness to
the rebel prisoners does not allay the
dogged enmity. Only small portion
of the population of the north have
returned to their homes. Only the
diseased and aged remained in Santa
Cruz.
Aguinaldo is reported to be in San
Fernando and still in absolute charge
of the defenses of the new capital and
of Calumpit.
FILIPINos BEFORE COMMISSION.
Manila, April l3. The United
States Philippine commission is hear
ing the leading residents of various
nationalities, priests and Spaniards,
numbers of them appearing volun-
tarily on the subject of the future of
tho islands. The questions put to all
are: "Do you believe the Filipinos are
capable of self-government in the
townshipsP" "Do you believe the
Filipinos are capable of self-govern-
ment in the provinces?" "Do you
believe the Filipinos are capable of
self-government in the archipelago"
All of those who have been interro-
gated, including Filipinos who SYM
pathize theoretically with independ-
ence, have replied to the third question
with remarka BILE unanimity in the neg
ative Independence, they say, would
result in chaos, endless tribal wars
and European interven tion. A few of
them think that provincial self-gov.
ernment is practicable, but most of
them favor self. government in the
townships with form of American
Supervision protecting the inhabit-
ants against the populations and eX-
tortions which their experience with
the Spanish regime has led them to
consider the natural perquisites of
otlicialdom.
The commercial classes urge the
sending of detachments of American
troops, each mum bering about 100 men,
to take possession of the towns in the
southern provinces and in the Visayas
islands, now held by small bands of
Tagalos. They declare the natives
find the Tagalos' oppression worse
than Spanish oppression and that they
will welcome the Americans.
,,,,,,,,,.-,,, ,,p,,,r =,
Hong Kong, April Is, The Filipino
junta here regards the proclamation
of the United States Philippine com
mission as being obje jectionable and has
issued a grandiloquent statement TO
the effect that it is "tissue of gener-
alities, bristles with pharisaism and
cant, vaguely promises much and
grants nothing to the Filipinos, who
are tired of promises and surfeited by
Spanish promises similar to the Amer
lean" Continuing, the statement
reads:
The proclamation proves that the fair prom
ises Of independence under n protoctorate and
President McKlnleys declaration of the OBJ
Jects Of the Spanish war were only mask OF
humanitarianism TO cover the real intention.
The invitation OF the United States Philippine
commissioners to the Filipinos TO meet them
for exchange OF views is meaningless, as dur
ing the hostllties the representative Filipinos
are necessarily absent from Manila, assisting
the struggle for independence The Filipinos
continue 10 resist violent and aggressive usur-
patton not because they expect complete vic
tory, but TO emphasize their rights and to pro-
test against a ruthless invasion We also deny
the legality OF the sale OF the sovereignty over
the Philippines by Spain, and we reiterate
positively that the Americans began the hos
tilities on February4
THE ENEMY BURN THE VILLAGES.
Manila, April I3.--Gen. Wheaton
started at daylight with the Tenth
Pennsylvania and the Second Oregon
regiments and two guns to drive the
rebels from the American right flank
between the railroad and the foot
hills. He met with slight resistance
near Santa Maria and one man was
ryo,,ndad Rut tho ananu hoItad