The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1899-12-14

gave him other ideas and ambitions and
insidious suggestions from various quar-
ters perverted the purposes and Intentions
with which he had taken up arms. No
sooner had our army captured Manila than
the Filipino forces began to assume an
attitude of suspicion and hostility, which
the utmost efforts of our officers and
troops were unable to disarm or modify.
Their kindness and forbearance was taken
as a proof Of cowardice. The aggression
of the Filipinos continually increased. un-
til, finally, just before the time set for the
senate Of the United States to vote upon
the treaty, an attack. evidently prepared
in advance. was made all along the
American lines, which resulted In a terri
bly, destructive and sanguinary repulse of
the insurgents.
Ten days later an order Of the insurgent
government was issued to its adherents
who had remained in Manila, of which
General Otis justly observes that ''for
barbarous intent 1t is unequaled in mod
ern times" 1t directs that at o'clock
on the night of the 14th Of February. the
territorial militia shall come together In
the streets Of San Pedro. armed with
their bolos. with guns and ammunition
where convenient; that Filipino families
only shall be respected; that all other
individuals. of whatever race they may
be- shall be exterminated without any
the army of occupation. and adds:
Brothers. we must avenge ourselves on
the Americans and extermnate them.
that we may take our revenge for the
infamies and treacheries which they have
committed 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
were able to take measures to control the
- Nfn6
the night of February %. a week later
than was originally contemplated. A con-
siderable number Of armed insurgents en-
tered the city by waterways and swamps.
and, in concert with confederates inside,
attempted to destroy Manila by fire. They
were kept in check during the night and
the next day driven out of the city, with
heavy loss.
What the Commission Found.
This was the unhappy condition of af-
fairs which confronted our commissioners
on their arrival in Manila. They had
come with the hope and intention Of CO.
operation with Admiral Dewey and Ma
jor-General Otis In establishing peace and
order in the archipelago, and the largest
measure of self-government compatible
with the true welfare of the people. What
they actually found can best be set forth
in their own words:
"Deplorable as war Is, the one In which
we are now engaged was unavoidable by
us. We were attacked by a bold, adven-
turous and enthusiastic army. No alter
native was left us, except ignOmfnious
retreat. 1t is not to be conceived of that
any American would have sanctioned the
surrender Of Manila to the insurgents.
Our obligations to other nations and to
the friendly Filipinos and to ourselves and
our flag demanded that force should be
met with force. Whatever the future of
the Philippines may be- there Is no course
open to US now except the prosecution OF
the war until the insurgents are reduced
to submission. The commission is of the
opinion that there has been no time since
the destruction of the Spanish squadron
by Admiral Dewey when 1t was possible
to withdraw our forces from the islands
either with honor to ourselves or with
safety to the Inhabitants
The course thus clearly indicated has
been unflinchingly pursued The rebel
lion must be put down. Civil government
cannot be thoroughly established until
order is restored. With a devotion and
gallantry worthy of it's most brilliant
history. the army, ably and loyalty as
sisted by the navy, has carried on this un-
welcome but most righteous campaign
with richly deserved success The noble
self-sacrifice with which our soldiers and
sailors, whose terms of service had ex-
pired. refused to avail themselves of their
right to return home as long as they were
needed at the front, forms one Of the
brightest pages in our annals. Although
their operations have been somewhat in
terrupted and checked by a fainy season
of unusual violence and duration, they
have gained ground steadily in every di-
rection. and now look forward confidently
to speedy completion Of their task.
YIY1f tn1a III
nected with an active campaign have not
been permitted to interfere with the
equally important work of reconstruc-
ton. Again invite your attention to the
reDort of the commissioners for the inter-
esting and encouraging details of the
work already accomplished in the es-
tablishment Of peace and order and the
life In many portions Of the archipelago.
Civil Government in Negros.
A notable beginning has been made In
the establishment of government in
the island of Negros, which is deserving
of special consideration. This was the
first island to accept American sovereign
ty. Its people unreservedly proclaimed
allegiance to the United States, and
adopted a constitution looking to the es-
tablishment of popular government. 1t
was impossible to guarantee to the peo-
adopted should be the ultimate form of
government. Such question, under the
treaty with Spain and in accordance with
our own constitution and laws, came ex-
clusively under the Jurisdiction Of con-
gress. The government actually set up
by the inhabitants Of Negros eventually
proved unsatisfactory to the natives them
selves. A new system was put into force
by order Of the major-general command
0eDArtment foJ-
lowing are the most important elements:
1t was ordered that the government of
the island of Negros should consist of a
military governor, appointed by the
United States military governor of the
Philippines. and a civil governor and an
advisory council elected by the people The
military governor was authorized to ap-
point secretaries of the treasury, interior,
agriculture, public instruction. an attor-
ney-general and an auditor The seat of
government was fixed at Bacolor. The
military governor exercises the supreme
executive power. He is to see that the
laws are executed, appoint to offices and
fill all vacancies in Office not otherwise
provided for, and may, with the approval
of the military governor Of the Philip
pines. remove any officer from office. The
civil governor advises the military gov
ernor on all public and civil questions
and presides over the advisory council.
He, in general. performs the duties which
are performed by secretaries Of state In
our own system Of government The ad-
visory council consists Of eight members
elected by the people within territorial
limits. which are defined in the order of
the commanding general.
Agreement with Sultan of Sulus.
The authorities Of the Su,u islands have
accepted the succession of the United
States to the rights Of Spain, and our flag
floats over that territory. On the 10th
of August, 1899, Brigadier- General Bates,
United States volunteers. negotiated an
agreement with the sultan and his prin-
cipal chiefs, which transmit herewith.
Rebellion Nearly Ended.
communicate these facts to the con-
gress for its information and action