The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-11-07
GRANTS AUTONOMY.
s'
Government Gives
Island Of Negroes
Home Rule.
OFFICERS INSTALLED.
OFFICERS INSTALLED.
Citizens Advocate Contin-
ued Close Relations
With United States.

Manila, Nov. 6.--The first autonomous
government of the Filipinos was estab-
hshed today at Bacolor, in the island
OF Negros. General Smith, governor of
the island of Negroes, administered the
oath of office to the Judge of the SUI
perior court, who in. turn swore in the
other 3 judges, - councilmen, the
auditor and the secretary of the in
terror The natives of the entire island
attended the ceremony. The officers
from lloilo were also present
There have been three days feasting,
In celebration of the new government
and the first anniversary of the surren-
der of the Spaniards to the Negroes rev.
olutionists ended with a ball in the
government house tonight. American
flags are displayed in the village. The
celebration consisted of horse racing
ana other sports, music religious func-
llons and an illumination. The ball to-
nIght attracted the wives of the veal
thy planters, and there was as great
a display of rich costumes and costly
jewels as would be seen at a similar
AFFAIR In America or Europe
elections were held October 2, the
number ct votes cast being 524S There
We're 80 candidates for the various Off
ces. Senior Melecio SeVerino was elected
governor, receiving 1405 votes Senior
Jaime received 1917 votes Suf-
rage was determined by property
Qualification and ability to read and
write.
Col. Miner welcomed the officials on
behalf Of the United States. In the
course of his remarks he said: "Negros
is in the van OF civil government in the
philippines. Your honor lies in adding
new star to the flag"
Gen Smith, during a speech which
he delivered, said: Your future is rec
oSnizsd today among the civilized ma
ttons of the world" Senior Severino, in
replying, said that the best thing for
the future of Negroes was the contin-
u2nce OF close relations with the United
States.
Gen. Smith then announced the grant
ing Of freedom to the political prisoners
IN commemoration of the event Con-
CALCULATIONS were received from Iloilo.
Gen. Smith, in an interview, remarked
that.lit was Of the utmost impo Nance
that the Filipinos should be taught to
recognize. the sovereignty of the United
States. The graVest danger, he said
la NC4AtltS lHEHl WAS intrigue among
the insular politicians. The members of
the Sixth infantry, which is divided
into 30 garrisons throughout the is
land of Negros, are undergoing great
hardships.
A recently organized revolutionary
movement has been discovered in
northern Negroes, and the leaders have
been forced to withdraw to Panay A
number of bandits, under the leader
ship of Papa Issio, a religious charla-
tan, have been driven into the noun
tains, but it is expected that they will
give more trouble A force of 250 ma
tive soldiers armed with Springfield
rifles, are helping the Americans and
are found to be valuable as scouts.
Gen. Lawton's operations have been
temporarily suspended owing to heavy
rains. The country around Cabanatuan
is flooded. The river however, has be-
gun falling rapidly, and probably the
country in that section will soon resume
Its normal condition.