Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-11-09
NATIVE GOVERNMENT
An Autonomous One Established at
BacOlod, in the Island Of Negroes.
MELECIO REVERINO MADE GOVERNOR.
The Speeches Made at the inauguration
The Sixth Infantry Undergoing Great
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Opera
tiOns Suspended.

Manila, Nov. AT Bacolod, in the
island of Negros, the autonomous gov
ernmeht of the Filipinos was estab-
lished yesterday. Gen. Smith, gov
ernor of the island of Negroes,
administered the oath of Office to the
judge Of the supreme court, who in
turn swore in the governor, three
judges, 10 councilmen, the auditor and
the secretary of the interior. The ma
tives of the entire island attended the
ceremony. The officers from Iloilo
were also present. Three days feast
ing will follow in celebration Of the
new government and the first anniver-
sary of the surrender of the Spaniards
to the Negroes revolutionists. A ball
was given in the government house
last night. American flags are dis
played in the village. The celebration
consisted Of horse racing and other
sports, music, religious functions and
an illumination. The ball last night
attracted the wives of wealthy planters
and there was as great display of rich
costumes and costly jewels as would
be seen at a similar affair in America
or Europe.
Elections were held October 2, the
number of votes cast being 5,24S. There
were 40 candidates for the various
offices. Melecio Reverine was elected
governor, receiving 1906 votes. Senior
Gaime received 1871 votes. Suffrage
was determined by property qualifica-
ton and ability to read and write.
Col. Miner welcomed the officials on
behalf of the United States. In the
course of his remarks he said: "Negros
leads in the van of civil government in
the Philippines. Your honor lies in
adding new star to freedoms flag"
Gen. Smith, during speech which he
delivered, said: Your future promises
as brightly as Japan's, who to-day is
recognized as among the civilized ma
tions of the world"
Senior Reverino, in replying, said
that the best thing for the future of
Negroes was the continuance Of close
relations with the United States.
Gen. Smith then announced the
granting of freedom to the political
prisoners in commemoration of the
event.
Gen. Smith, in an interview, re-
marked that i; was of the utmost i'm.
portance that the Filipinos should be
taught to recognize the sovereignty of
the United States 1.-THE gravest dan
GER" he added, threatening a peace
full administration is intrigue among
the insular politicians" and he de-
clared that the United States govern.
ment must for years keep control Of
the Philippines in order to prevent
such conditions from existing.
The members of the Sixth infantry,
which is divided into three garrisons
throughout the island of Negros, are
undergoing great hardships. A re-
Gently organized revolutionary move
ment has been discovered in northern
Negroes and the leaders have been
forced to withdraw to Panay. A mum.
Der of bandits, under the leadership Of
Papa Isio. a religious charlatan, have
been driven into the mountains, but it
is expected that they will give more
trouble. A force of $50 native soldiers,
armed with Springfield rifles, are help
ing the Americans and are found to be
valuable as scouts.
Gen. Lawton's operations have been
temporarily suspended owing to heavy
rains. The country around Cabana-
tuan is flooded. The river, however,
has begun falling rapidly and probably
the country in that section will soon
resume its normal condition.