The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1899-03-08

The People of One of the Richest
Islands of the Philippine Archipel-
ago Ask to Place Themselves I'm
der the Stars and Stripes.
The Manila correspondent of the New
York Herald gives the following &C
count of the offer of the inhabitants of
Negros island, one of the Philippines
to accept the sovereignty of the United
States:
"The deputation from Negros, con-
sisting Of Aniseto Lacson, president of
the provisional government of the is
land; Eusebio Luiz Luzuriaga, minis
ter of the treasury, and Jose Ruiz Luzu-
riaga, president of the alive congress,
held long conference with General
Otis.
81 afterward interviewed the visitors
and learned that on Nov. 10, having de-
feated the Spanish garrisons, the in
habitants established provisional gov
eminent, consisting of the officials who
are now here and Juan Aremeta, minis
ter of war; Antonio Jaque, minister of
justice; Simon Lazares, minister of the
interior; Augustin Amenabar, minister
of agriculture and commerce, and Nico-
las Gules, minister of public works
''Stanislao Gusay was chosen vice
president Of the congress, which is made
up of SO deputies, Jose L. Vito, secre-
tary, and Juan Llorento, vice secretary
when Aguinaldo learned of their
success in ousting the Spanish authority,
he sent his congratulations to them and
also copies of form of government
which he proposed to establish in Ne
gros similar in nature to the principal
government of Luzon and subservient
to it.
1.-THE leaders of the Negroes revolution
did not approve of Aguinaldo's sugges-
tions, and they asked Captain Glass of
the United States cruiser Charleston
for the protection of America. Captain
Glass promised to forward their COM
munication to the American authorities.
Meanwhile the government has been
working smoothly and the island has
been peaceful
Hearing of the fall Of Iloilo, and
fearing the similar destruction Of the
principal towns of Negros should Agui-
naldo's soldiers land on the island, they
sent deputation to General Miller at
Iloilo asking for a definite answer to
their application for American protec-
ton
General Miller replied favorably
and the deputation returned to Negros.
Tho Hoc, bo;r%oJ ov-a,, 1,
town of Bacolod in the presence of the
entire population, and the native troops
saluted the stars and stripes with 81
guns
''This imposing ceremony took place
on Feb. Is. The deputation then re-
turned to Iloilo and came to this city
''The present form Of government In
Negros is similar to that of the Swiss
confederation, the island being subdi-
vided into one canton and two PROV
inces.
1.-THE members of the deputation were
asked, What DO you expect under Unit
ed States rule? ?
They replied We put ourselves
unreservedly in the hands of the Amer
leans. We trust them to establish a
form of government suitable to the is
land We cannot guarantee anything
as to the line of action the other islands
will take, but we will cooperate with
the Americans and use our influence to
induce the remainder of the Visayan
islands to come under the American
flag.
''Negros is ranked among the II lar
gest islands in the Philippine archipel-
ago. its approximate area being 300
square miles The total population, ac-
cording to the latest Spanish statistics,
is 204 $50
''Negros lies parallel to Zebu and is
separated from that island by a strait
about % miles wide The largest towns
in Negros are Jimamaylan, Dumaguete,
Bats and Bacolod The last named is
the administrative center
considering its size, Negros is re-
garded by some authorities as the rich
est in the archipelago There are many
large sugar plantations, and sugar rails
ing is the principal occupation of the
Inhabitants. In the Escalante region
splendid tobacco is grown. The low
lands along the coast are in fine state
of cultivation.
There are magnificent forests in the
mountains, which are inhabited by
wild Malays Malaspina, an active vol
cano, is the highest peak, reaching a
height of s, 1870 feet
A Costly Law.