The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-11-03


and weakening those Of the enemy. No
alliance of any kind was entered into
with AgGinaldo, nor was any promise
I of Independence made to him, then or
at any other time"
The commissions report then rapidly
sketches events now historical 1t tells
in substance how the Filipinos attacked
the Spanish and how General Anderson
arrived and Aguinaldo, at his request,
removed from Cavite to Bacoor. Says
the commission:
Ioea of Independence.
Now for the first time rose the idea
of national independence. Aguinalda
issued a proclamation in which he took
the responsibility of promising ii to
his people on behalf OF the American
government, although he admitted free
ly in private conversation with MEM
bers of his cabinet that neither Admiral
made him any such promise"
The report states that AguinaldO
wished to attack the Americans when
they landed at Pararaque but was de-
tered by lack of arms and ammuni-
tion. From that point on there was a
growing friction between the Fiiipinos
and the American troops.
There was no conference" says the
report, between the officers of the Fill
pinOs and our officers with a view to
operating against the Spaniards, nor
was there cooperation of any kind.
There never was any Dreconcert-
ed operations or any combined move
ment by the United States and Fill
pinoS against the Spaniards.
Wanted to Loot Manila.
Reference is made to AguinaldO's de-
mand that he be allowed to loot Manila
and take the arms of the Spania-ds.
The latter demand is said to confirm
the statement that he intended to get
possession of the arms to attack the
Americans. Further evidence of the
hostile intentions OF the Filipinos was
found in the organization of a ''popu-
lar club. which later on furnished a
local militia TO attack the Americans.
The DEGREES of the Filipino congress
are also cited, as well as the making
of bolis (knives) in every shop in Ma
Mia. 1t is shown that a considerable
element in the Filipino congress wished
TO address President Mckinley a re-
quest not to abandon the Philippines
cat this stage the Paris conference was
discussing the future of the Philip
pines). The president was also to be
asked his desire as to the form of gov
ernment he wished to establish.
But all this time Aguinaldo was pre-
pairing for war and delaying these mes
sages. and il was understood the at
tack would come when the first act by
the American forces which would af-
ford = Dretext.
A brief chapter tells of the lack OF
successes attending the effort made at
this time by General Merritt through
a commission to arrive at a mutual un-
derstanding with Aguinaldo as to the
intentions purposes and desires Of the
Filipino people.
This brings the story up to the out
/. l. II g
ruary, with the attack upon the Amer !
lean troops following the action of the |
Nebraska sentinel.
Fight the Americans.
The commission. in concluding this |
chapter. saws:
After the landing of our troops /
Aguinaldo made up his mind that it I
would be necessary TO fight the Ameri- /
carS, and after the making of the /
treaty Of peace at Paris this determi- |
nation was strengthened. He did not /
only openly declare that he intended to |
fight the Americans. but he excited /
everybody, and especially the military, /
by claiming independence, and it is
doubtful whether he had the power to |
check or control the army at the time
hostilities broke ont.
"Deplorable as war is. the one in
which we are now engaged was un-
dA OkOdDlt- No 1ilt4U1NlNG WAS ltll "
US, except ig1ominioUs retreat. 1t is
not 10 be conceived that any American
would sanction the surrender of Manila
to the insurgents. Our obligations to
other nations and to the friendly Eli
pinos and to ourselves and our flag
demand that force should be met with
force. Whatever the future of the Phil
pDircs may be, there is no course open
10 us now except the prosecution of the
war until the insurgents are reduced to
Could Not Withdraw Forces.
The commission is of the opinion
hat there has been no time since the
destruction of the Spanish squadron by
Admiral Dewey when it was possible
% Withdraw our forces from the
Stands, either with honor TO ourselves
II with safety TO the inhabitants"
The commission then takes up the
conditions of the country at the time
# their arrival, comparing ii with con-
htions at the time they left a short
ime ago. a vivid picture is given of
he anarchy existing among the inhab-
tants in and about Manila during the
.arly spring.
THE situation in the city" says the
was bad IEcendiary fires
occurred daily. The streets were al
most deserted. Half the native popu-
duon naQ neQ, aIC most or the re-
nainder were shut in their houses.
business was at a starGetill Insur-
-ent troops everywhere faced our lines.
nd tie sound of rifle fire was frequently
udible in our house. A reign of terror
Irevailed. Filipinos who had favored :
americans feared assassination. and
ew had the courage TO come out openly :
or us. Fortunately there were among
his number some of the best men of
he city"
The Commissions Proclamation.
The report then speaks of the issu-
nee of the commissions proclamation
nd the good effects it had on public
eminent. The natives, accustomed to :
panish promises. urged the commits .
ion that acts instead of promises
hould be given them. AS a result, na- :
i've law courts were established, and !.
his greatly aided in the restoration of
ublic confidence. The flow of popula-
on soon began 10 set toward the city. I
,atives who had fled from their homes
eturned- As Showing the limited scope
the rebellion, the commission states: I
I'VE learned that the strong anti
merican feeling was confined to the
agalos provinces, namely, Manila, Ca I
ite, La Guna, Batangas, Morong, Du- 4
lcan. Nueva Ecija, Principe, Infanta
nd Zambales. II was strongest in the 4
rst six named. and hardly existed in 4
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