Iron County register., 1899-11-09
REPORT ON PHILIPPINES.
Preliminary Report to the President
Handed In by the Philip
pines Commission.
IT SAYS THE WAR WAS FORCED UPON US.
WFe Had Either to Retreat or FIght-We
Couldn't Do the Former, Honorably, and
Were Compelled to Accept the Alterna-
fiye-Fuipinos Declared Incapable of
Self-Government.

conference at the White Hous:
Wednesday, the Philippine commission
yesterday submitted to the presidenr
the preliminary report which it haC
promised to prepare.
The report appears to be a compass
summary of conditions on the islands
as the commissioners left them; of the
historical events which preceded the
Spanish war and led to the Original
Filipino insurrection; of the exchange
between Admiral Dewey and Other
American commanders and the insur
gents; the breaking out and progress
of the present insurrection, and final
1y a statement of the capacity of the
Filipinos for self-government.
notable feature of the report is mem
orandum by Admiral Dewey explans
tory OF his relations with Aguinaldo.
The Commissions Findings.
Among the points emphasized in the
report are the following:
That Admiral Dewey made no prom
3ses to Aguinaldo.
That Aguinaldo forced the war upon
che United States, leaving the admins
fration no alternative except ignomini-
gus retreat.
That there was no time after Dew
-ey's victory over the Spaniards when il
was possible ''to withdraw our forces
either with honor to ourselves or with
safety to the inhabitants"
That the insurrection is confined to
six provinces of Luzon, with popula-
tion of only 100000.
That the Filipinos are not capable
of self-government.
That if American authority should
be withdrawn the islands would lapse
into a state of anarchy.
That Aguinaldo's purpose is not to
give his people independence, but the
continuance of his own arbitrary and
4despotic power.
The report begins with the following
statement:
The undersigned commissioners ap-
pointed by you to investigate affairs
IN the Philippine islands, and to report
Ehe result of their investigations, to-
gether with such recommendations as
might in their judgment be called for
by the conditions which should be
found to, exist in these islands, have
che honor to submit the following pre-
your request"
The committe next tells briefly how
1T conducted the task entrusted to t.
hearing statements from all classes of
people in Manila, as to the capacity of
the Filipinos for self-government, the
habits and customs of the people, and
also the establishment of municipal
governments in many towns. All this
matter is to be included in the final re-
port.
The Rebellion of 1895.
Turning to the history of the islands
ahe commission attaches little Importance
sd that of 1896. AS to this movement.
Hhey declare that it was in no sense an at
91lb nRt to ss win fin but solely to
sustain this statement they quote from
an insurgent proclamation, showing that
of the friars and the restitution to the
people of their lands, with a division of
native priests. 1t was also demanded that
ahe Filipinos have parliamentary repre-
Eoleration, economic autonomy and laws
similar to those of Spain. The abolition
Of the power of banishment was demand
sd, with legal equality for all persons
ff1 law and equality in pay between Span
Ash and native servants.
The commission declares that these de-
1pands had good ground; that on paper
fae Spanish system of government was
governor did what he saw At. ana % the
~ssyii deeds of men In the government were
Ision IrHm % s9a Pain 70 oy b strict
g2unan society, patterned on the Masonic
as a powerful revolutionary force.
No Thought of Independence.
The war begun in 1896, was terminated
10y the treaty of Biac-Na-Bate. The Fill
Dinos were numerous, but possessed only
"a M ,feI, faI@
that it would require 10000 men to cap
sure their stronghold. and concluded to
sessions were also decided upon. inciUd
Eng representation of the Ftlipinos in the
which was the principal question; the
Erant of the right of association, and y
Gov;-Gen. Rivera was willing to pay
q 000. 0OC Mexican when Aguinaldo and his
Nerno only offered the latter $iO0. 600. 500
zoo to be paid when Aguinaldo arrived at
Hong Kong. and the balance when the
Eilipinos had delivered up their arms The
arrangement was not acceptable to the
The promises were never carried out.
3ione more than go being i exeeateal mahsta
Hence sporadic risings occurred, though
&hey possessed nothing like the strength
OF the original movement The Insurgents
lacked arms, ammunition and leaders.
The treaty had ended the war, which,
break in .cebn. had been confined to Lu-
sEon, Spain's sovereignty in the other is
rhe thought Of undergraduates never haV-
a&nG been entertained.
The report tells how Gen. Augustin
came to Manila as governor general at
Slais junoture and war broke out between
sought to secure the support OF the FIJI
ptnos to defend Spain against America,
Ranos did not trust him.
Dewey and AgufnaIdo.
Then came the first of May. and the de-
s4truction of the Spanish feet by Dewey,
the ssS sesgl5nE IL loss Of pfi55stiss to
On this point the commission says:
THE following memorandum on this
sNioa by Admiral Dewey:
naIdo.-on April ii. 1895, the following ci-
xrom Mr. E. Spencer Pratt, United States
consul general at Singapore: Aguinaldo,
4nsurgent leader, here. VIII come Hong
seneTai 9n - eoaoperation Wn insurgents sene Mans @
M desired. Telegraph. Pratt
.'On the same day Commodore Dewey
como soon as possible ThS necessity for
Aaste being due to the fact that the
squadron had been notified by the Hong
6y ake dsS TSs snDss i
Hong Kong on the morning Of the 18th,
and Mrs bay on the 18th. Aguinaldo did
so So did iA not arriSe In Hong Kong S 'i in time e
90 have q conferences with the admiral.
TT had been reported to the commodore
consul &c % at t Manila ! and i others. sh that ss the
ETipinos had broken out In fnsurrect,on
against the Spanish authority In the vi
hiIk Wiiiia1s % @ had tslsxrapSsd: @ he f Five thou. Out
! sand rebels armed In camp near city.
loyal tn us in case of war.
-us.Sks a s.s tarna fhaf thsrn 80 -