The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-04

everywhere faced our lines and reign OF
terror prevailed. When IL left. o complete
transformation had taken place; "a large
volume Of business was being done" "the
streets were 80 crowded rs to be ha rdly
safe; school system, with some 5000
scholars, teaching English, was established;
"all fear OF an uprising had long
since passed" In April tho Commits
sion had issued proclamation assuring
tho people not only OF their rights, but
also of the largest participation In govern
ment which might be found compatible
with the general welfare and reconcilable
with the sovereign rights and obligations
OF the United States" In Justification OF
this assurance the Supreme Court was re-
opened In June. with five Filipino and
three American Justices, and courts OF hrst
instance and Justice courts were estab-
llshed later as suitable Filipino officials
could DO found. The rebellion was Tsgalog
and was confined almost wholly to certain
provinces Of LuzoD. Along It's track all
Justice was paralyzed. crime was RAM ant
In many ruined villages, and never In he
worst days Of spanish misrule had the people
been 90 overtaxed or 30 badly governed"
The Commission, assisted by two able
Filipino lawyers, went to work to establish
just and orderly municipal government.
with the result that when II left Manila order
prevailed and prosperity appeared and 'the
people, protected by our troops. were enjoy
ing peace. security and degree Of particle
patton In their own government previously
unknown in the history Of the Philippines"
though Large amount Of supervision
over the affairs OF our new municipalities
proved necessary, as tho oflcials were
tlmid about assuming responsibility and
slow to comprehend their new duties."
This experience and the testimony received
from great number OF witnesses repreeen-
tatlve OF all shades Of political and social
conditions proved to the Com mission that
"the masses OF the people lack the senti-
ment OF q common nationality. their loyalty
being still Of the tribal type. The INTEL
ligent public opinion on which popular gov
eminent rests does not exist In the Philip
pines" 1.-THE m ost that can DO exp cted
Of them is to cooperate with the Americans
in the administration OF general affairs from
Manila az q centre and to undertake. sub
ject TO American control or guidance, tho
administration Of provincial and municipal
affairs" with results which will prove
great political boon to tho people" "In
this way" further says the report "the
performance OF our national duty will prove
the greatest blessing to the peoples OF the
Philippine Islands."
What is this duty1 It ia to hold and to
govern the Philippines. IF our power was
withdrawn" continues the report, 1.-THE
government OF the Philippines would
speedily lapse into anarchy. which would
excuse, II 1t did not neoessitate. the inter-
ventlon Of other powers and the eventual
division OF the islands among them.
"Only through American occupation.
therefore, is the idea OF free. self-govern-
ing and united Philippine commonwealth
at all conceivable" and all the proceedings,
the mannuvrings and tho subtle machina-
tions OF AGUINALDo are directed solely to
the end OF defeating that result and VIM
ming for himself the dictatorship OF the
islands.
Moreover, the Americanization OF the
Philippines Ia not only our duty, but II Is
feasible and will prove Of enormous profit
to both them and ourselves. We have
only to begin by crushing out this upstart
dictator, and then, to quote the concluding
words OF this report. when peace and
prosperity shall have been established
throughout the archipelago when edu-
cation shall have become general,
in the language OF a leading Fill
Pine. this people will, under our guidance,
become more American than the Ameri-
cans themselves That work Of pacifca-
ton. with the consequent transformation.
is now proceeding rapidly. and In all It's
steps it has reflected the greatest credit
and the highest honor on the humanity,
the civilization and the aptitude for gov
eminent OF the American people.