The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-12-08

Filipino people. From the earliest moment no
opportunity was lost Of assuring the people Of
the islands Of ardent desire for their vol
fare and of the intention of this government TO
do everything possible to advance their inter-
csts, In my order Of the 10Th Of May. 1893, the
commander OF the military expedition dis
patched to the Philippines was instructed TO
declare that we came not TO make war upon the
people Of the country nor upon any part or
faction among them, but to protect them In
their homes. in their cmpoyments and in their
personal and religious rights
That there should be no doubt rs to the para
mount authority there, on the 18th OF August
IL was directed that there must be no joint
cupation with the insurgents" that the United
states must preserve the peace and protect per-
sons and property within the territory occupied
by their military and naval forces; that the in
surgents and all others must recognize the
military occupation and authority of the
United States As early rs December 4, before
the cession and in anticipation OF that event,
the commander In Manila was urged to restore
peace and tranquility and to undertake the
establishment Of benehcent government,
which should ,Tord the fullest security for life
| and property.
| ON the 2lst Of December. after the treaty was
| signed. the commander of the forces Of occupa-
tion was instructed Ito announce and proclaim
| in the most public manner that we come, not as
| invaders and cunquerors, but as friends to pro
tect the natives in their homes, In their employ
ments and in their personal and religious
| rights"
'rhe same day. while ordering Gen. Otis TO see
| that the peace should be preserved in lloilo, he
was admonished that: 1t Is most important
that there should be no conflict with the insur-
| gents. On the first day of January, 1879, your
| general orders were reiterated that the kindly
intentions Of this government should be in
| every possible way communicated to the insur-
| gents"
slst or January / announced my in
Al
composed OF three gentlemen OF the highest
character and distinction, thoroughly acquaint-
| ed with the orient, who, in association with Ad-
| miral Dewey and Mai Gen. Otis were instruct
| ed to facilitate the most humane and effective
extension Of authority throughout the islands
and TO secure, with the least possible delay, the
benefits OF a wise and generous protection OF
| life and property TO the inhabitants. "
! These gentlemen were DIR. Jacob Gould Schur-
man, president OF Cornell University Hon
| Charles DENLY, for many years minister to
| China and Prof Dean G. Worcester OF the Uni
versity OF Michigan who had made most care
full study OF life in the Philippines. While the
treaty Of peace was under consideration in the
! senate these committees set out on their mis-
| sion of good will and liberation. Their char
| acter was q sufficient guaranty OF the benehcent
| purpose with which they went, even II they had
not borne the positive instructions of this gov
eminent, which made their errand pre-eminent-
ly one OF peace and friendship.
But before their arrival at Manila the sinis-
| ter ambition OF a few leaders OF the Filpinos
| had created a situation full of embarrassments
for us and most Rrievous in its consequences to
| themselves. The clear and impartial prelimi-
| nary report of the commissioners, which trans
nit herewith. gives so lucid and comprehensive
| n history Of the present insurrectionary move
| ment that the story need not be repeated II is
| enough to say that the claim OF the rebel leader
| that he was promised independence by any Of
| - no nj In rot fpr big m
| siStance has no foundation in fact and Is cate
| gOrically denied by the very witnesses who were
called TO prove IT, the most the inSurgent lead
er hoped for when he came back to Manila was
the Liberation OF the islands from the Spanish
control. which they had been laboriug for years
without success to throw OF.
The prompt accomplishment Of this work by
the American army and navy gave him other
ideas and ambitions, and in idiuus suggest on
from various quarters perverted the puruuScs
and intentions with which he had taken up
arms No sooner had our ar ny captured NJ l.
Mia than the Filipino forces hcg1n TO assume
an attitude OF suspicion ana hustilit; wnich tn
utmost efforts of officers ana troops were
unable to disarm or modify Their kindness
and forbearance were taken as proof OF cow
ardice. The aggresSions of the Fiiipinos con-
tinually increased until finally, just before the
time set for the senate OF the United States for
a vote upon the treaty, nm attack evidently
prepared In advau g, was made all along the
American lines, which resulted in a terribly de-
structive and sanguinary repulse Of the insur-
gents.
Ten days later an order OF the insurgent gov
eminent was issued 10 its adherents who had
remained in Manila, of which Gen Otis justly
observes that for barbarouS intent II is un-
equaled in modern times. " 1t directs that at
eight o'clock on the night Of the 4th of Febru-
AIRY the territorial militia shall come together
IN the streets Of san Pedro, armed with their
bolos, with guns and ammunition, where con-
venent; that Filipino families only shall be re-
spected; but that all other individuals, OF what
ever race they may be, shall be eXterminated
without any compassion, after the extermina-
ton Of the army Of occupation, and adds:
Brothers, we must uvenge ourselves on tho
Americans and eXterminatc them, that we may
take our revenge for the intumes and trcach-
cries which they have committed upon uS
Have no compassion upon themi attack with
yiSor,"
A copy OF this fell by good fortune, into tho
hands Of our officer, and they were able to take
measures TO control the rising which was actu-
ally attempted on the night OF February %
u week later than was originally contem'
| plated. Considerable number Of armed insur-
: gents entered the city by waterways and
swamps and in concert with confederates 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 commissioners on theil
arrival in Manila. They had come with the
hope and intention OF cooperating with Ad'
miral Dewey and Nal Gen. Otis in establishing
! peace and order in the archipelago and thu
largest measure Of self-Povernment compatible
with the true welfare OF the people. What they
actually found can best be set forth in their Owl
| words:
"Deplorable as war is, the one in which VT
are now engaged was unavoidable by us. We
were attacked by bold, adventurous and en-
thuSu, tic army, No alternative was left TO US
except iguominous retreat.
ut is not to be conceived Of that any Ameri
can would have sanctioned the surrender o.
Manila to the insurgents. our obligations e
other nations and to the friendly Filipnos anC
to ourselves and our flag demanded that force
should be met by force Whatever the futur,
of the Philippines may be, there is no cours,
open TO US now except TO prosecute the war un
til the insurgents are redu ed to submission
The commission Is Of the opinion that there has
been no time since the destruction Of the Span
ish squadron by Admiral Dewey when IL was
possible TO withdraw our forces from the Is
lands, either with honor 10 ourselves or safety