The times., 1899-11-03


had quietly awaited the arrival of the
American troops. These who had remain
ed soon learned that their confidence had
not been misplaced, aud those who had fed
speedily returned. We found their condi-
ton to be most pitjabie. They had been
plundered by the insurgent troops. who had
robbed them of jewels, money. clothing,
and even food, so that they were literally
starving. Peaceable citizens had been fred
on. Women had been. maltreated and there
was general satisfaction that the Ameri-
cans had come at last. Large quantities of
food were promptly distributed among the
hungry, measure which resulted in great
good.
Conditions seemed favorable for an
American propaganda The towns of Ba-
coor and linus were selected for purposes
OF experiment, as they were notoriously the
two most rebellious towns of the most re-
bellious province in the islands. In each
place the "headmen" were called together
and frank talk was had with them. Our
purposes were fully explained, and they
we're urged to state their own wishes. We
found them thankful for the considerate
treatment they had received from our
troops, and willing to aid US against the
insurgents, at whose hands they had suf-
fered so severely. They seemed, however,
powerlesS TO act on account of lack of or
ganization, and there was a universal de-
sire for the establishment OF some form Of
municipal government.
Encouraged by what we saw in BacOOr
and linus, we continued our work in Par
anaque and Las Piuas with similar results
On reporting these facts 10 General Otis
he ordered General Lawton to organize
these towns. At the request of the latter,
and with the assistance OF two able Fill
ptno lawyers, the Commission prepared
simple scheme of municipal government
similar enough to the old system to be
readily comprehensive to the natives, but
giving them liberties which they had never
before enjoyed. This scheme was adopted
in its entirety by General Lawton, and at
his request member of the Commission
accompanied him to aid in putting it into
effect
In each town the people were called to-
gether and an election was held. The Off
cials chosen were fully instructed as TO
their duties, and were advised that they
must expend every cent raised by taxation
in defraying local expenses. In every in
stance enthusiasm ran high before we took
our departure, and when we left cheers
were raised for General Lawton and for the
country which he represented.
With single exception the officials
elected proved worthy Of the trust imposed
! in them, ana conditions very rapidly i'm
proved in the newly organized towns, each
Of which soon became a centre OF attrac-
tion for the insurgent soldiers whose fam
lilies resided within its limits. Deserters
. began to come in, some OF them bringing
their arms. Opposition to the inSurgent
forces grew rapidly among the peaceable
natives of the province. Deputations came
secretly from many important towns, beg
ging us to advance our lines and do for
them what we had done for BacOOr and
linus. This was impossible but govern
ments were organized with most satisfac-
tory results in Las Pihas, Paranaque,
PandaCan, Santa Ana San Felipe Neri, and
San Pedro Macati, while a slightly different
system was put into effect in Ma abon,
Polo, Obando, Meyeauynyang, and Malolos.
The results obtained in these latter towns
have already been mentioned.
large amount OF supervision over the
affairs Of our new municipalities proved
necessary. as the officials were timid about
assuming responsibility and slow to com
prehend their new duties At many of the
elections voters went in succession TO the
Commissioner present, the military repre-
sentative, and the native priest asking
whom they were expected to vote for, and
it was only with great difficulty, and by
dint of much argument. that they were
persuaded to exercise the right of free
suffrage.
When we left Manila, large volume OF
business was being done, and the streets
were so crowded as to be hardly safe. The
native population was quiet and orderly
and all fear of an uprising had long since
passed. An efficient corps of native police
men was on duty. A system of public
schools. in which English was taught, had
been advocated by the Commission and es-
tablished by General Otis. Some 5000
scholars We're in attendance.
In the Tagalog province of LuZou, where
the anti-American feeling had been strong
est, public sentiment had greatly changed.
as evidenced by the fact that the Military
Governor of Batangas had offered to sur
render his troops and his province if we
would only send a small force there. The
Bicols in southern LuZon, had risen
against their TagalOg masters. The Maca-
bebes were clamoring for an opportunity TO
fight in our ranks, and native soldiers and
scouts were already serving under General
Lawton Stories of the corruption of in
surgent officers were becoming daily more
common, and the disintesration OF the
/ enemy's forces was steadily progressing.
/ The hope of assistance from outside sources
! seemed to be all that held them together.
/ Conditions in the Outer Islands.
| Should it be thought that too much at
| tention has been paid, in this preliminary
report. to the Island of Luzon, it may be
/ replied that the rebellion is essentially
! Tagalog. and that when it ends in Luzon
/ it must end throughout the archipelago.
/ 1t should however, be mentioned that
| member of the Commission visited the
southern islands of the archipelago and
! held conferences with their principal Off
/ cials The only island apart from LuzOn
! where serious trouble threatens is Panay
/ TO which a considerable force of Tagalog
/ soldiers was sent before the outbreak of
/ hostiIities Many of the Visayans of this
island are opposed to the Tagalogs, how
/ ever. and it is not believed that the latter
/ can make . formidable resistance In Sa-
mar Leyte, and Masbate. the Tagalog in
vaders are numerically few, and are dis
liked by the natives of these Islands, whom
they have oppressed We were assured
that 200 men would suffice to restore order
in Miudoro. Bohol was asking for troops
/ The Calamianes islanders had sent word
( that they would welcome us There can
be no resistance in Palawan. Satisfactory
relations had already been tablished with
the warIike Moros. whose Sultan had pre-
/ viously been cOnciliated by a member Of
the Commission. and in Mindanao this
tribe had even taken up our cause and at
| tackled the insurgents. of whom there are
| very few in the island. In Cebu we have
| only to reckon with the lawless element
which has never been very formidable
there.
The Lesson Taught by Negros.
The Island of Negros is deserving of
sepcial mention It's civilized inhabitants
are exceptionally prosperous and enIight-
ened They had the good sense to keep