The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-12-08


anty of the beneficient purpose with
which they went, even if they had not
borne the positive Instructions of this
government which made their errand
-eminently one of peace and friend
ship.
But before their arrival at Manila,
the sinister ambition of few leaders
of the Filipjnos had created a situa-
tion full of embarrassment for us and
most grievous in it's consequence to
themselves The clear and impartial
preliminary report of the commissioners
which l transmit herewith, gives so
lucid and comprehensive q history Of
the present insurrectionary movement
that the story need not be here report
ed. 1t is enough to say that the claim
of the rebel leader that ne was promis-
ed independence by an officer of the u
5. In return for his assistance has no
foundation in fact all is categorically
denied by the vert witnesses who were
called to prove it. The most the in
surgent leader hoped for when he came
back to Manila was the liberation of the
islands from the Spanish control, which
they had been laboring for years with
out success to throw off.
The prompt accomplishment of this
work by the American army and navy
gave him other ideas and ambitions
and insidious suggestions from various
quarters perfected the purposes and in
tentions with which he had taken up
arms. No sooner had our army cap
tured Manila than the Filipino forces
began to assume an attitude of suspi-
cion and hostility which the utmost
efforts of our officers and troops were
unable to disarm or modify. Their
Kindness and forbearance were taken as
proof of cowardice. The aggressions of
of the Filipinos continually increased
until finally, just before the time set
by the senate Of the United States for
vote upon, the treaty, an attack, evil
IDENTIFY prepared in advance, was made
all along the American lines, which re-
suited in a terribly destructive and
sanguinary repulse of the insurgents.
Ten days later an order of the in
surgent government was issued to its
adherentS who had remained in Manila,
on which General Otis Justly observes
that "barbarous intent it is unequaled
in modern times" 1t directs that at 5
O'Clock on the night of the 18th of Feb
ruary the territorial militia" shall
come together in the streets of San Pc
dro, armed with their bolos, with guns
and ammunition where convenient; that
Filipino families only shall be respect
ed; but that all other individuals, OF
whatever race they may be, shall be ex-
| terminated without any compassion
| occupation, and adds: Brothers, we
must avenge ourselves on the Ameri-
cans and exterminate them, that we
| may take our revenge for the infamies
and treacheries which they have COM
mitted upon us. Have no compassion
upon them; attack with vigor."
| A copy of this fell by good fortune
into the hands of our officers and they
| were able to take measures to contro
the rising, which was actually attempt.
ed on the night of February %, week
| later than was originally contemplated
| Considerable numbers of armed insur.
gents etered the city by waterway.
and swamps and in concert with con.
federates inside, attempted to destroy
Manila. by fire. They were kept IL
check during the night and the mex
day driven out of the city with heavy
| loss.
This was the unhappy condition O.
affairs which confronted our commits
sioners on their arrival at Manila
They had come with the hope and inten
ton of cooperating with Admira
Dewey and Major General Otis in es
tablishing peace and order in the archi
pelago, and the largest measure of sci
| government compatible with the tru
welfare of the people. What the.
actually found can best be set forth il
their own words:
WAR UNAVOIDABLE.
| 'Deplorable as war is, the one whicl
we are now engaged was unavoidable
by us. We were attacked by boil
adventurous and enthusiastic army. N
alternative was left to us except ig
nominous retreat.
1T is not to be conceived of that an,
American would have sanctioned tn
surrender of Manila to the insurgents
Our obligations to other nations an,
to the friendly Filipinos, and to our
selves and our flag demanded that fore
should be met by force. Whatever tn
future of the Filipinos may be, there i
no course open to us now except tn
prosecution of the war until the insur
gents are reduced to submission. TIL
commission is of the opinion that ther
has been no time since the destruction
of the Spanish squadron by Admira
Dewey when it was possible to with
draw our forces from the islands eithe
with honor to ourselves or with safet.
to the inhabitants"
The course thus clearly indicated ha
been unfiinchingly pursued. The re
bellion must be put down. Civil govern
met cannot be thoroughly established
until order is restored. With a devo
tion and gallantry worthy of the mos
brilliant history, the army, ably ant
Loyalty assisted by the navy, has carried
on this unWelcome but most righteou
campaign with richly deserved success
The noble and self-sacrifice with whicl
our soldiers and sailors whose term
of service have expired, refuse to avai
| themselves of their right to return
home as long as they were needed a
the front forms one of the brightes
pages in our annals. Although thei
operations have been somewhat in
terrupted and checked by rainy ses
aion of unusual violence and duration
and now look forward confidentially t,
a speedy completion of their task.
The unfaVorable circumstances con
nected with an active campaign have no
been permitted to interfere with tn
equal important work of reconstruc
tion. Again l invite your attention t,
the report of the commissioners for tn
interesting and encouraging details o
the work already accomplished in tn
establishment of peace and order ant
the Inauguration of lf-governini
municipal life in many portions of tn
archipelago.
GOVERNMENT IN THE ISLAND OF
NEGROS.
| A notable beginning has been made il
the establishment of government il
the island of negros which is deserving
| of special consideration. This was tn,