Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-11-07
AUTONOMY IN NEGROS.
New Officials Sworn In After
Election.
CELEBRATION OF THE NATIVES.
Three Days Fsasting Followed, Ending
With IA Ball Lawton's Operations Tenn
porarily Suspended, Owing to Heavy
Rains-NheeIer Ready For Battle.


MANILA, Nov. THE first autonOnl-
Gus government of the F1lipinos was
established at bacolod, i'll tine island of
NegroS. General Smith, governor of
the island OF Negros, administered the
oath of office to the Judge of the su-
preme court, who in turn swore i'll the
governor. 3 judges, II councilmen, the
auditor and the secretary OF the interior,
who made the natives of the entire ISL
and attend the ceremony. The officers
from Iloilo were also present. Three
days feasting will follow in celebration
of the new government and the ami
versary of the surrender of the Span
iards to the Negros revolutionists, end
ing with ball in the government
house. American flags are displayed i'll
the village. The. celebration consisted
of horse racing and other sports, music,
religious functions and an illumination.
The ball attracted the wives of the
wealthy planters, and there was great
display OF rich costumes and costly
Jewels as would be seen at similar at
1air in America or Europe.
Elections were held Oct. 2. the num-
ber of votes cast Oeing 5,24S. There
were 40 candidates for the various Of
fees. MelecIo Reverino was elected
governor, receiving l ,3O5 votes. Senior
Gaime received l,2n votes. Suffrage
was determined by properly qualIflca-
ton and ability to read and write.
Colonel Miner welcomed the officials
on behal. OF the United States. In the
course of h S remarks he said:
''NegroS leads in the van of civil gov
ernment i'll the Philippines, Your
honor hes III adding new star to free
dom's flag"
General Smith, during speech which
he delivered, said:
Your future promises as brightly as
Japan's who today is recognized as
among the civilized nations of the
world.
Senior Seyerlno, i'll replying, said that
the best thing for the future OF Negros
was the continuance of close relations
with the United States.
General Smith then announced the
granting of freedom to the political
prisoners in conlmemOration OF the
event.
lilo, telephoned a cOngratulatory speech
over the eastern cable from that place.
General Smith, in an interview, re-
marked that it was OF the utmost i'm
portance that the tilipinos should be
taught to recognize the sovereignty OF
the United States. The gravest dan-
ger. he added, threatening peaceful
administration is intrigue among the
lar., IL nd i,o rI,,r
tine United States government must for
years keep control OF the EilipinOs III
order TO prevent such conditions from
existing.
The members of the Sixth infautry,
which is divided into 30 garrisons
throughout the island Of Negros, are
undergoing great hardships.
A recently organized revolutionary
movement was discovered in Northern
Negros and the leaders We're forced to
Withdraw TO Panay. A number of ban
dts, under the leadership of Papa Issio,
q religious charlatan. have been driven
into the mountains, but it is expected
that they Will give more trouble. A
force OF 250 native soldiers, armed with
Springfield rifles. are helping the Amer
leans. and are found to be valable as
scouts.
General Lawton's operations have
been temporarily suspended owing to
heavy rains. The country around
Cabanatuan Is flooded. The river, how
ever, HIS beeI Ealing rapidly, and
probably Tit. country ID that section
will soon resume its normal conditions.
Magalang, the town taken by two col
unns Oh General MacArthur's divi-
sion un,irr Uo.onel Smith and Major
O'Brien, Is /. strong town situated mid
way between Angeles and Arayat.
The movement Is a part OF the plan of
the Americans to possess all the country
to the southeast of Tarlac, as the troops
close i'll Oh the capital. cutting the line
of the euemy's retreat in that direction.
The I;isurgentforce is estimated at
1000. Colonel Smith first encountered
small ioroe entrenched a quarter mile
beyond Angeles, which soon retreated,
leaving two OF their number dead. The
enemy made short stand at the out
skirts OF Bacrios and San Francisco,
briskly shooting at the advancing
Americans.
Captain Brush deployed with the ad-
vance guard of the battalion and
charged the Fiipinos, who took to
flight. Seven Americans were wounded.
The Americans almost surrounded the
insurgents, who resisted stubbornly,
but Lieutenant Hamilton's S artillery cut
them up. Lieutenant Slavin's troops
captured company OF the enemy,
with their arms, during the advance
General Wheeler's brigade is formed at
Angeles in order to be prepared for
general engagement.