The San Francisco call., 1899-10-12

Islands very fairly. I have carefully
watched tho published news relating to
the Kansas Regiment, and it has been re-
markably correct. Barring some very
complimentary references to myself, L
must say that I have seen no exaggera-
tions either in regard to our side Of the
question or the Filipinos side. 1 see no
reason why more fairness should have
been shown the Kansas Regiment than
any other, and therefore I must say that
there is no complaint to be made on the
news sent out from the islands
1.-The seat of all the trouble at this time
is the Filipino junta at Hongkong. This
pernicious little body Is keeping the war
alive 1t is in communication with the
state, and 1t supplies Aguinaldo's army
with the hope upon which it lives. 1t
sends out reports Of fearful disasters TO
our troops that never occurred; It
imagines all manner of friendly feeling
the world over toward the Filipnos; II
assures them of all kinds Of outside sup
port, which is entirely without founda-
ton, and in this manner keeps their
spirit alive They are busiest just now
circulating reports that the trend of
public opinion in this country Is against
the American procedure in the islands.
They are informed by this junta that a
majority of all the States have already
pronounced against the policy of the ad-
ministration and that they have only to
wait until the next general election,
when the United States will grant them
! their independence and leave the islands
| forever OF course, such a policy would
be absolutely absurd because. as I have
said, the Flitpinos are too ignorant and
are thoroughly incapable Of self govern
| ment But STILL this kind of campaign
| ing has it's effect on the ignorant natives,
and they are induced to keep on their
'AguinaIdo himself is shrewd, but not
| clever To use slang, he is a great con
worker I know of no better term. He
| circulates and corroborates all that the
! 1unta sends out and adds to 1t all that
! his cunning imagination can devise: With
| him the campaign Is q great confidence
game. / cannot see at present Just how
| he will be benefited particularly, but ]
know enough of his nature to be certain
that he is not working for nothing He
! is cruel, vindictive and selfish, and If his
people could only be persuaded to accept
| the truth Of the situation they would de-
| sert him tomorrow.
1.-The very best that the Filipinos could
have done for themselves would have
| been to accept the terms of the first
proclamation issued by General Otis
| Those terms were broad and magnani-
| nous and were all that they could pos
sibly expect. Aguinaldo and the junta
| made such efforts to misrepresent this
| proclamation that the natives were sus.
picious Of 1t and their great opportunity
was lost But for the misrepresentation
| OF the 1unta hostilities would never have
been commenced, but having been com
menced there Is but one way to finish
the%, en- lone .,o.o .oro .,,u, 49,
have a ghost of a show of holding VI
their end they will maintain the rebel
lion But If the American army fight
and completely convince them that it Is
absolutely useless to prolong a struggle
against such overwhelming odds then the
natives, 1 believe, will turn as whole