The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-07-03
WAIT FOR AGUINALDo's FALL.
Then All Filipinos Will Submit to
the United States.

Manila, July PROF. ]. C. Scthur-
man of the United States advisory
commission for the Philippines. re-
turned to Manila today from a three
| weeks trip in the southern islands. He
| takes an entirely hopeful view of the
| general conditions there. The intel
I ligent and substantial citizens desire an
American prOtectOrate. The masses
are awaiting the settlement of the war
| in the island of Luzon before declar-
ing themselves. They are chiefly
anxious To be undiSturbed. The pres
ident of the town of SantO Nicolas, in
the island of Cebu said to Mr.. Schur-
:T:-a:
I'VE want peace, food and prosper
ity. We do not wish to fight We
would be neutral"
thinks this declaration fairly expresses
the sentiments of the people in the
southern Islands of the archipelago.
Many of the towns there are in the
hands of small bands of Tagalos, and
the people fear to endorse American
rule until they are certain that Agui-
naldO must be beaten. Let them once
be convinced of this, and the allegiance
of the southern islands, Mr.. Schurman
thinks can be secured by diplomacy.
The United States gunboat Benning-
ton took Mr.. Schurman to Mindanao
and the islands of the Sulu and Wis
ayan groups. He Travelled through
the island of Negros with Colonel
Smith and a party of natives. In sew
eral of the principal towns he was
rendered banquets and had an hours
conference with the young sultan of
Sulu, who received him ia the royal
chamber surrounded by a bOdyguard
of fierce-looking OrOs.
Mr.. Schurman told the sultan that
the United States had acquired the
sovereignty of the Philippines from
Spain, but had no wish to subiugate
the population, nor to interfere with
their customs or religion. On the con-
trary, the great desire of the American
government was to help the people Of
the islands to develop their country.
The sultan replied that he earnestly
desired peace and was anxious to con-
tinue the existing treaties.
On the return voyage, the president
of the commission visited the town OF
Borneo. capital of British North Bor-
neo, where he was cordially received
by the British officials. who afforded
him every facility in his study of the
local government, and the customs of
the people. The population he found
much like that of the southern Phil
present in a rather elementary state.
but a more complete organization is
being developed as practicable.
Yesterday General Lawton and Prof.
Worcester of the commission visited
the principal towns in the province of
Cavite, out of which the natives We're
recently driven. Their chief purpose
was to direct the elections of the presi-
dents of linus, BaccOr. Paranque and
Las Pinas. Under the municipal sys-
tenn thus inaugurated, the presidents.
or the mayors of the towns. are en-
powered to appoint minor officials. and
TO levy taxes. which are to be expended
solely in public improvements.
Before acting. General Lawton and
Mr. Worcester had consulted with the
leading men in each town and selected
candidates whose honesty and friendli-
ness to American rule were beyond
question. Wherever they went, the
Americans were heartily cheered by
the people.
Tomorrow the p4blic schools in Ma
Mia will open, and it is expected that
there Will be 5000 children in attend
ance. The teachers include Americans,
Spaniards and Filipinos. One Of the