Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-04
AMERICAN RULE PREFERRED
Gen. Otis Reports on Conditions in tht
Philippines.
Why Chinese Were Excluded - Cor
respOndence With AguinaIdO-NOn-
Sectarian Schools Urged.

Gen. Otis has made a long and detailed
report to the War Department of military
operations in the Philippines. The CORE
spondence between Gen. Otis and Aguinaldo
before the outbreak of active hostilities
occupies much space and more is taken up
with the detailed accounts of the various
ENGAGEMENTS In connection with the Fill
pino uprisings in the suburbs of Manila en-
the night of February - Gen. Otis prints
the translation of one of Aguinaldo's proc
lamations, which melted this demonstra-
ton The paper fortunately was discovered
on the 18th and the plans of the insurgents
were checkmated. 1t called for the assem-
bling of the Manila militia in the rear of
the American outposts. At the sound Of
the attack from the outside the inSUr-
gents in the city were to fail on and butch
er the whole of the foreign population, re-
speeding nothing but native Filipino FAM
lilies, All the Jail prisoners were TO be re-
leased and armed to assist in the massacre.
The plan was successful in so far as about
1890 armed insurgents assembled behind
the American line. In the fight of that
night and the following day about 800 of
these were killed.
Exclusion of the Chinese.
Gen. Otis throws some light on his Chi
nese exclusion act declaring it a matter
of public policy. He goes at some length
INTO the TdCldI uIllclclltcS pSl"ccil AllS L III
pinos and the Chinese, explaining that
strong prejudice against the Chinese pre-
vailed among the natives because of the
success and INSCRIPTIONS dealings of the
Cinnamon in all trade matters.
Gen. Otis says that in view of the race
hatred between the Cinnamon and the ma
tives, as well as the fractional differences
among the Chinese themselves, which some
times broke into open riot and boodshed,
he deemed il eXpedient to apply the Amer
lean immigration laws TO the island This
was done, and arrangements have been
made for identifying such Cinnamon as
have rights of prior residence in the island.
so that no unnecessary hardship may be
worked.
Gen Otis relates infinitely the difficulties
encountered in dealing with the foreign
merchants whose business was interfered
with by the war, the outlining of plans of
revenues and customs. the negotiations
with the Sultan of Sulu, from whom, he
says, Gen. Bates secured more concessions
in q month than Spain had been able to
secure IN 300 years: the institution of town
governments the establishment of schools
and the caring for a large number of priS
oners. both Spanish and native.
People Prefer American Rule.
In concluding his report, Gen. Otis says
that it may prove fortunate that the Agui-
naldo Instruction was not stamped out in
stanter upon its inception. He says that
the natives throughout the island have
peacefully and even gladly accepted Ameri-
can occupation of their towns whenever the
American troops appeared, and that they
have learned by experience that the IN
surgents have made a specially OF murder,
outrage and robbery under the guise Of es-
tablishing a free and independent govern
ment. They have had chance, upon the
withdrawal of American troops, to see the
difference between American and native
methods of government, and his opinion Is
that they will gladly submit to the former
as soon as they can be protected from the
latter. A column of 5000 troops could, at
any time during the insurrection, have
marched from one end of the island to the
other without encountering serious dill
Guilty, but the insurgents would inevitabl,
have closed in behind them as soon as they
passed, showing the necessity of hav'n