The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-07
FIRST AUTONOMOUS GOVERNMENT
IN PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
FINALLY FORMED
FOLLOWED By 4 GRAND FETE
WIVES OF THE WEALTHIER Ma
TIVES RIVAL AMERICANS IN
SPLENDoR OF COSTUMES
ELECTION ON AMERICAN PLAN

dat succeeding by Scant Ma
jOrities-American Forces Encir-
cling the Stronghold of AguinaI-
do, Intent Upon Capturing the Fill
ipinO Chief.
MANILA, Nov. 6-At Bacolor. IN the
island Of Negros, the first autonomous
government of the FfIipinos was estab
Hshed today. Gen. Smith, governor of
the island Of Negros, administered the
oath Of office to the judge of the su-
preme court, who, in turn. swore in the
governor, three judges, twelve council
men, the auditor and the secretary of
the interior. The natives of the entire
island attended the ceremony. The Of
ficers from Hoilo were also present.
Three days feasting will follow, in ce!e-
bration of the new government, and the
anniversary Of the surrender Of the
Spaniards to the Negros revolutionists.
beginning with a ball in the government
house tonight. American flags are dis
played in the village. The celebration
will consist of horse racing and other
sports, music, religious functions ana an
illumination. The ball tonight attracted
the wives of the wealthy planters, and
there was as great display of rich cos
tunes and costly jewels as would be
seen at a similar affair in America or
Europe
Elections We're held Oct. 2, the number
of votes cast being 5,G2S. There were
forty candidates for the various offices.
MeIecio Revirino was elected governor.
OpC
ceived 1.278. Suffrage was determined by
property qualification and ability to
read and write.
Col. Minor welcomed the officers on be-
half of the United States. In the
course of his remarks he said:
"Negros leads the van in civilization
in the Philippine islands. Your honor
lies in adding a new star to civilizations
flag"
Gen. Smith, in a speech, said: Your
future promises as brightly as Japan's,
today recognized as one Of the most civ
ilized nations of the world"
Senor Revirino in replying. said: The
best thing for the future of Negros is
the closest relations with the United
States
A number of political prisoners were
liberated in conmemoratiOn of the event.
Gen. Hughes, in command at loilo,
rendered a congrat atulatory speech over
the Eastern cable from that place.
Gen. Smith, in an interview, remarked
that it was of the utmost Importance
that the Filipinos should be taught to
recognize the sovereignty Of the United
States.
The gravest danger" he added,
Threatening a peaceful administration is
intrigue among the insular politicians"
He predicted the United States govern
ment must maintain control over the
Philippines in order to prevent such oc-
currences.
A recently organized revolutionary
movement has been discovered in North
ern Negros and the leaders have been.
forced to withdraw to Panay. A num-
ber of bandits, under the leadership Of
Papaisco, a religious charlatan, have
been driven into the mountains, but it
is expected that they will give more
trouble. A force of $50 native soldiers,
armed with Springfield rifles, are help
ing the Americans, and are found to be
valuable as scouts.
Gen. Lawton's operations have been
temporarily suspended owing to heavy
rains The country around Cabantuan
is flooded The river, however. has be-
gun failing rapidly and probably the
country in that section will soon resume
its normal condition
ATTACK ON TARLAC.
The Insurgents are hurriedIy digging in
trenchments along the twenty miles Of
road from AIiaga to Tarlac, and also
along other roads leading to Tarlac.
1t is apparent that they expect Gen.
Lawton to advance upon Tarlac, which
has been the seat of the so-called gov
eminent of the insurgents.
Heavy intrenchments have also been
thrown up in front of Bamban, some sew
enteen miles south of Tarlac, on the line
Of the Dagupan railway. The rebels
NAV attempt to make a stand at Bam-
ban. Gen. Otis is hopeful that they
will. but is afraid that they will not.
Gen. Lawtons scouts have been far to
the north of Canabatuan toward the
road leading from Tayug to Bayambang.
This and one other are the only roads
crossing the mountains. The Americans
will occupy these roads in force. The
rebels will thus be compelled to use the
rough narrow trails which necessita'e
much splitting of their forces in order
to effect their escape.
Reports received by Gen Otis show
that the insurgent headquarters have
been partly removed to Bayambang,
oboI1+ twentv-four miles northwest Of
Tarlac.
The railroad has been practically de-
stroved bv the rebels. They are now
boring holes in the boilers OF the engines
and destroying the other rolling stock.
The most recent information shows that
Ae11inaldo is still at Tarlac, despite the
re1orts that the rebels had abandoned
that place and were fleeing northward-
some of his personal property has, how
e1-er heen removed to Aritao, on the
po1-amhang road. There is a large in
e,1resn+ hospital at TayEE-
Gen. Pho del Pillar, the insurgent COM
monder. is operating around Norza-
gorav about twenty-five miles north
east of Manila.
TAKING OF MAGALANG.
Nagalang. the town taken yesterday by
two columns of Gen. MacArthur's divis-
ion under Col Smith and Maj. O'Brien,
Is strong town situated midway between
Angeles and Arayat. The movement is
a part of the plan for the Americans to
possess all the country to the southeast
of Tarlac, as the troops close in on the
capital cutting the line Of the enemy's
retreat in that direction.
The insurgent force is estimated at 600.
Col Smith first encountered a small force
entrenched. Leaving two of their num-
at the outskirts of Barrios and San
Francisco, briskly shooting at the ad
vancing Americans. Capt. Brush de-
ployed with the advance guard Of the bat
talon and charged the Filipinos. who
took to fight. Seven Americans were