Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-12-05

gents and all others must recognize the
military occupation and authority of
the United States. AS early as Decem-
Der 4, before the cessidn, and in antici-
patton of that event, the commander in
Manila was urged to restore peace and
tranquility and to undertake the estab-
lishment of beneficent government,
which should afford the fullest security
for life and property.
NOT AS INVADERS.
On the 21st of December, after 1ne
treaty was signed the commander of
the forces of occupation was instructed
TO announce and proclaim in the most
public manner that we come, not as in
vaders and conquerors, but as friends
to protect the natives In their homes, in
their employments and in their personal
and religious rights. On the same day,
while ordering Gen. Otis to see that the
peace should be preserved in lloilo, he
was admonished that: 1t is most inn
isportant that there should be no conflict
with the insurgents. On the first day
of January, 1899. urgent orders were re-
iterated that the kindly Intentions of
this government should be in every
possible way communicated to the in
surgents.
THE COMMISSION.
ON the DIST of January ] announced
my intention of dispatching to Manila a
commission composed of three gentle
linen of the highest character and dis
tinction thoroughly acquainted with
the Orient, Who, in association With Adj
miral Dewey and Maj. Gen. Otis, were
INSTRUCTED To Facilitate the most hut
name and effective extension of author
ity throughout the islands, and to Sc
cure With the least possible delay the
benefits of a wise and generous protec-
ton of life and property to the inhabi-
tants. These gentlemen We're DR. Ja-
cob Gould Schurman, president of Cor
nell University; the Hon. Charles Den
by. for many years minister TO China,
and Prof Dean g. Worcester, of the
university of Michigan. who had made
La most careful study of life in the Phil
ipplnes. While the treaty Of peace WAS
under consideration In the senate these
commissioners set out on their mission
Of goodwill and liberation. Their char
acter was sufficient guaranty of the BEN
Ieficent purpose With which they went,
even if they had not borne the positive
instructions of this government, which
made their errand pre-eminently one of
peace and friendship.
BEGINNING OF WAR.
But before their arrival at Manila the
sinister ambition of a few leaders of the
F'ilipinos had created situation full of
embarrassments fer us and most griev-
Gus in its consequences to themselves.
The clear and impartial preliminary re-
port of the commissioners, which l
Transmit herewith gives so lucid and
comprehensive history of the present
lsinsurrectionary movement that the
story need not be here repeated, 1t is
lenough to say that the claim of the reb-
el leader that he was promised indie
pendenee by any officer of the United
states in return for his assistance has
no foundation in factand is categorical
| y denied by the very witnesses who
were called to prove it, The most the
leader hoped for when he
Iscame back to Manila was the liberation
|5of the islands from the Spanish control
which they had been laboring for years
| without success to throw off.
AGUINALDO'S AMBITIONS.
The prompt accomplishment of this
| work by the American army and navy
gave him ether ideas and ambitions,
and nsidious suggestions from various
| quarters perverted the purposes and
intentions With which he had taken up
| arms. No sooner had our army cap
4 tured Manila than the Filipino forces
| began To assume an attitude of suspi-
| cion and hostility which the utmost
| efforts of our officers and troops We're
unable to disarm or modify. Their
\ Kindness and forbearance We're taken
| as a proof OF cowardice. The aggres-
sions of the F'ilipinos continually in
creased until finally, just before the
| time set by the senate of the United
states for a vote upon the treaty, an
attack, evidently prepared in advance,
was made all along the American lines.
which resulted in a terribly destructive
and sanguinary repulse Of the insur-
gents.
4 Ten days later an order of the insur-
gent government was issued to its adj
/ herents Who had remained in Manila,
! of which Gen. Otis justly observes that
For barbarous intent it is unequaled
/ in modern times. 1t directs that at S
| o'clock on the night of the 18th of Feb
4 ruary the territorial militia shall come
! together in the streets of san Pedro
armed with their bolcs With guns and
ammunition where convenient; that
| Filipino families only shall be re-
4 spected: but that all other individuals
of whatever race they may be. shall be
eXterminated without any compassion.
4 after the eXterminati ton of the army OF
4 occupation, and adds: brothers. we
must avenge ourselves on the Ameri-
leans and extermnate them. that we
may take our revenge for the infamies
| and treacheries which they have COM
/ mitted upon us. Have no compassion
upon them; attack with vigor." A copy
of this fell, by good fortune. into the
| hands of our officers and they We're
able to take measures to control the
rising. which was actually attempted on
the night of Feb %, a week later than
was originally contemplated. Consid-
cradle number of armed insurgents en-
tered the city by waterways and
swamps and in concert with confeder-
ates inside attempted to destroy Manila
by fire They We're kept in check dur
Ling the night and the next day driven
out of the city with heavy loss.
/ This was the unhappy condition of
/ affairs which confronted our commits
sioners on their arrival in Manila. They
had come with the hope and intention
of cooperating with Admiral Dewey
and Maj. Gen. Otis in establishing
! peace and order In the archipelago and
| a ~ .