The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-03-24
MORE LIGHT ON THE PHILIPPINE
SITUATION.

Light new and interesting is being
thrown by correspondence upon the re-
lations we had with the Filipinos and
negotiations with them prior to the out
break. of February 4th, when the second
battle of Manila was fought. Yester-
day we published statements showing
the admitted positions of the Filipinos
when confronted by General Hughes
with certain questions.
In that conversation the Filipino
Commissioners admitted these things
that NO foreign Power had recognized
their government; that no one had
recognized them as belligerents; that
the United States and Spain were the
only Powers recognized by the world
at large as in authority in the islands;
that should the United States Withdraw
from the islands anarchy would ensue
When asked under all these admissions
why they made trouble they replied,
'Thepeople are beyond control"
So that conference broke up without
any results looking to a peaceful set
Element. The Fflipinos had no sug-
gestions to offer; they wanted the
Americans to acknowledge them and
consent to their government, so-called,
taking control, and yet in the same
breath admitted that without the shell
tering arm of the United States they
could not prevent a reign of anarchy
over and over again the American Of
ficers pressed the Filipino Commission
ers for some suggestion of peaceful
and hopeful character, but in vain.
Their one reply was, THE people are
beyond control"
AT that very time then they contem-
plated the attack that followed soon
after Savagery must have its way
and the Commissioners concluded, prob
ably, that any attempt to prevent it
would be futile. It has had its way, and
the sentimentalists Of this country are
given opportunity, which they improve,
to- cry out that we are shooting down
people whose only demand is for lib
erty. This Is absolutely false. They
do not ask for or want liberty, they
demand license and nothing short of it
win satisfy the savage remnant in their
natures.
AS Mr.. Bass. the correspondent of the
New York Post" put it in his clear
and concise letters to that Journal. there
are but two courses possible, either
abandon the islands or fight for them,
But If we abandon them it will be
simply the case of the other fellow
lighting for them, and by the other
fellow is meant the European Power
that first reaches the fighting ground.
Mr.. Base tells the story of an inter-
view between Colonel Crowder and
the Filipino Commissioners in which
the Colonel asked the Commissioners
what would happen to the dreams Of
Filipino independence If Germany
should make a landing at Cebu to pro-
tect life and property, as she was then
threatening to do? They made no re-
ply. Colonel Crowder then asked them
- t8rSS Q40 uOl KNOW lQaL the Onlled
States in such a crisis would have to
deal directly with Germany, and they
remained astounded and silent The
idea seems never to have occurred to
them of possible foreign complications
With European Powers. Nevertheless
the inswgent Commissioners gathered
voice sufficient to say that Aguinaldo's
demand was for an arrangement with
the United States by the insurgents to
prevent disturbances. To this our Of
ficers replied that a truce could not be
declared in time of peace, and that if
Aguinaldo would give the same orders
to his men that we did to ours, there
would be no trouble
But the Filipino Commission was so
insistent upon recognition for the So
called republic. that the American of
fcers were impressed with the thought
that some sort of recognition was
needed by the insurgents to back up
their hold upon the people, and that
without It the republic would fail
among the natives. Soon after came the