The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-07-31
DELUDED TAGALOGS.

1t has been repeatedly stated that the
Tagalogs, the main dependence of the
Filipino instruction, are acting under
gross deception and ignorance con-
corning the Americans and their pur-
poses. The most recent confirmation
of this comes through the columns of
the New York Evening Post a
journal not by any means expansion
ist But the Post" employs reliable,
eool-headed and impartial correspon-
dents, selecting men of ability whom it
can trust and whose statements are
the result of impartial observation.
The POSTS Manila correspondent,
Mr.. Wells, says that it is true that the
Tagalogs are almost wholly ignorant OF
the American purpose and character;
they are deceived by their leaders and
made to think things of us which well
might make any people desperate.
These natives have been told that the
Americans invaded the country for the
purpose of imposing burdensome taxes
upon the people; taxes far in excess OF
those laid on by Spain They are
taught that it is our habit to kill chill
dren and old men overtaken in war,
and to outrage women prisoners.
They have been told that we have
been beaten in every battle, that thou
sands of Americans have been killed
in these conflicts, and that shortly all
Americans will be killed. With no
knowledge of the actual facts, no COM
prehension of our power and resources,
the deluded people are easily led.
Many of them are so ignorant that they
do not even know the name of the pro-
vince adjoining theirs; they speak only
the Tagolog language or some other
vernacular
This, the Post correspondent as
sures u.s. is the truth. 1t explains why
Aguinaldo is able to hold these people
together. The correspondent adds that
there are few intelligent men at the
head of the rebellion who have knowl-
edge of the truth, but these are the
very men who are deceiving the masses.
There are. two papers, it is added, pub
lished. in the interest of these leaders,
and in the Tagolog tongue, and these
sheets, we are told, from the very out
set have pursued a course of wilful and
gross deception and mendacity.
When Lawton took Santa Cruz the
people there learned for the first time
dc of
the insurrectionists, such was the dense
ignorance. in which Aguinalde has
managed to keep them. So, too, wher-
ever his victorious column went the
thunder of Lawton's guns was the first
note of information the people had that
the Americans We're not cooped up be-
hind earthworks. surrounded by
triumphant Filipino troops.
Hence, says the correspondent
though the Lawton column could not
garrison posts, it swept in whatever
direction it wished, easily driving the
insurgent forces before it. But 1t was
an educational march. 1t opened the
eyes, of a deceived people and scat
tered information concerning Amerl-
cans and American methods ana OIL
purposes that must bring forth good re-
suits and tend to weaken the hold OF
the Filipino leaders upon the deluded
people, Notwithstanding that the rebels
reoccupied the places Lawton took and
abandoned in his splendid sweep, and
Notwithstanding the belief OF the cor
respondent that the policy Of war upon
the Filipinos with a gun in one hand
and an olive branch in the other is a
grave mistake.