The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-14

the insurgents. On the 1st day {
January, 1899, urgent orders were reit
Grated that the kindly intentions y
, this government should be in ever
possible way communicated to the In
surgents. On the 21st Of January,
announced my intention Of diepatchin|
TO Manila commission composed o
three gentlemen of the highest char
acter and distinction, thoroughly &C
quainted with the Orient, who in asso
citation with Admiral De ~ey, and Ma
Jor General Otis, were instructed tC
facilitate the most humane aud ef.
lectlve extension OF authority through.
Out the islands aud to secure with the
least possible delay the benefits OF a
Wise aud generous protection OF life
and property to the inhabitants"
These gentlemen were DR.. Jarob G
Schurman, president of Cornell Uni.
verslty Hon. Charles DENLY, for many
years minister to China, and Prof.
D an Worcester, OF the University OF
Michigan, who had made most care
iul study Of life in the Philippines.
While the treaty OF peace WAS under
consideration in the Senate these com.
missloners set out on their mission OF
good will and liberation. Their char
|
beneficient purpose with which they
went, even If they had not borne the
positive Instructions Of this govern
ment, which mado their errand pre-
| emlhently ono OF peace and friend
ship.
But before their arrival at Manila
| tho sinister ambition OF few leaders
OF the Filipinos bad created a situation
full OF bnrrassment Tor the United
otales aud most grievous in It's cOnse-
| quonces to themselves. The clear and
Impartial preliminary ropors of the
commissioners, which l transmit here.
with, gives so lucid and comprehensive
history OF the present insurrecLion-
nry movement that tho story need not
be here repeated.
IL ls not enough to say that the
claim OF the rebel leader that he was
promised independence by any Off
Ger In the United States in return for
his assistance has no foundation in fact
and Is categoricaily denied by the very
witnesses who were called to prove it.
The most the insurgent leader hoped
Tor when he came to Manila was the
liberation OF the islands from the
Spanish control, which they had been
lab0ring for years without SUCCESS to
throw Off.
Ine prompt accomplishment OF this
"oTS Gy tho American army aud nayy
gave him other ideas and ambitions,
ana lhstdlous suggestions from various
quarters perverted the purposes and
Intentions with which he had taken up
arms.
No sooner had our army captured
Manila than the Filipino forces began
to assume an attitude OF suspicion and
TN hn
our officers and troops were unable to
discern or modify. Their kindness and
| forbearance were taken as proof OF
cowardice. The aggressiens of the
rlllplnos continually increased until
| finally, Just before the time set by tho
Senate of the United States for a vote
! upon the treaty, an attack, evidently
prepared in advance, was made all
along the American lines, which re.
suited In terribly destructive and
sanguinary repulse Of the insurgents.
Ten days later an order of the insur.
gent government was Issued to its ad
herents who had remained in Manila,
OF which General Otis justly observ es
that for barbarous intent it is un.
| equalled In modern times" 1t directs
that at 8 O'Clock on the light of Fsbru.
ary 18th, the territorial military shall
come together in the streets OF San
Pedro. armed with their bolos, with
guns and ammunition where convent.
| ent, that Filipino families shall be
respected. but that all other individ-
uals, OF whatever race they may be-
shall be exterminated without any
compassion, after the determination OF
the army of occupation, and adds {:
Brothers, we must avenge ourselves
on the Americans and exterminate,
tEa we may take our revenge for tho
lnfamies and treacheries committed
upon us. Have no compassion upon
them attack them with viyor." A.
copy OF this fell, by good fortune, into
the hands OF our officers and they were
aole to take measures to control the
rising which was actually attempted on
the night Of February 22, q week later
than was originally Contemplated.
a considerable number of armed tE-
surgents entered the city by waterways
and swamps and in concert with con.
federates inside, attempted to destroy
Manila by fire. They were kept In
check during the night and the next
day driven out OF the city with heavy
loss. This was the unhappy condition
Of affairs which confronted our com.
mlsS!oners on their arrival in Manila.
They had come with the hope and in
Dewey and Major General Gus Ia es-
tabishing peace and order in the ar.
chipelago, and the largest measure CT
self.government compatible with the |
true welfare OF the people. What they
actually found can De best set forth IN
their own words: Deplorablc as war
is, the one in which we are now on
gagged was unavoidable by US. We
wero attacked by bold, adventurous
and enthusiastic army. No a)tcrna- !
tive was left to us except ignominioue
retreat.
" 1t is not to be conceived that any
American would have sanctioned the
surrender Of Manila to tho insurgents.
Our obligations TO other nations and
the friendly Filipinos and to ourselves
and our flag demanded that force
should be met by force. Whatever tho
future OF the Philippines may be, there
Is no course open TO us now except the
prosecution OF the war until the iIsur-
geQts are reduced to submission. The
commission is of the opinion that there
has been no time since the destruction
OF the Spanish squadron by Admiral
Dewey when 1t was possible to with