The Washington weekly post., 1899-07-04

Manila, July 2-Pr0f. ]. q. SchuTman,
of the United States Advisory Commission
for the Philippines. returned 70 Manila to-
day from a three weeks tour Of the
southern islands He takes an entirely
hopeful vieR of the general conditions
there. The intelligent and substantial ciu-
zenS desire ar American protectoraJe.
The masses are awaiting the settlement
of the war in the Island Of Luzon before
declaring themselves. They are chiefly
anxious 10 be Undisturbed. The President
Of the town Of Santo Nicolas in the Isl
and OF Ccbu, said TO Mr.. Schurman. we
want peace, food, and prosperity. We
60 not wish TO night. We would be aeu-
tral"
The President Of the commission thinks
this fairly expresses the sentiment OF the
people in the southern islands Of the arch
irelago, Many Of the towns there are
in the hands Of small bands OF Tagalos
and the people fear 10 indorse American
IuIe until they are certain that Aguinaldo
must be beaten. Let them once be con-
WINGED OF this and the allegiance Of the
southern islands Mr Schurman thinks.
can be secured by diplomacy.
The United States gunboat Bennington
took Mr.. Schurman to Mndanao and the
Islands Of SuIu and Vissyan groups, He
Travelled through the Island OF Negros
with Col Smith and a party Of natives
j. several OF the principal towns he was
rendered banquets. and he had an hours
conference with the young Sultan Of Sulu,
who received him in the royal audience
chamber. surrounded by a bodyguard of
nsrce-looking Moros.
Would Continue Existing Treaties
Mr Schurman told the sultan that the
United States had acquired the sovereign
" OF the Philippines from Spain. but had
no wish 10 Subiugate the population nor
TO interfere with their customs of Telig-
ion. On the contrary. the great desire Of
the American government was 10 help
The people OF the islands TO develop their
country The sultan replied that ne ear
nvstly desired peace. and was anxious
10 continue the existing treaties.
On the return voyage, the President of
the commission visited the town Of Bor-
neO. capital of British North Borneo.
where he WAS cordially received by the
British officials, who afforded him every
facility in his study OF the local govern
nent and the customs OF the people. The
population he found much like that of the
Southern Philippine Islands. The govern
ment Is al present In a rather elementary
state, but more complete organization is
being developed as rapidly as is practi-
cable
ceste-, OF the commission, visited the
principal towns in the Province OF Ca
vite. out of which the natives were re-
Gently driven. Their chief purpose was to
direct the elections OF the Presidents OF
linus, Bacoor, Paranaque, and Las Pinas.
Under the municipal system thus lnaugu-
rated the Presidents or the Mayors of the
towns are empowered 10 appoint minor
officials and 10 levy taxes, which are 10
he expended solely in public improve
menIs.
Americans Heartily Cheered.
Before acting, Gen. Lawton and Mr..
Worcester had consulted with the leading
men in each town and selected candidates
whose honesty and friendliness TO Ameri-
can rule were beyond question. Wherever
they went the Americans were heartily
cheered by the people
Tomorrow the puciic schools in Manila
will open. and il is expected that there
will be 500 children in attendance The
teachers include Americans, Spaniards.
and Filipinos. one of the instructors is
the widow of the Filipino patriot. DR..
Rial, who prepared the statutes of the
Philippine League, and who, when about
10 board a steamer at Barcelona in the
autumn of 1886 was arrested by the Span
ish authorities and sent TO Manila, where
he was tried by court-maFtial on charge
Of having organized the uprising in the
Philippines. sentenced TO death. and shot
on December q of that year. After her
husbands execution Mrs RIAL who is
the step-daughter OF retired HOngkong
gentleman, went to linus and was chosen
English Will be taught in the schools one
hour each day. The prescribed holidays
include the twenty church days observed
in Manila Washington's birthday, and
the Fourth Of July.
Trouble over a Missionary.
Almost every steamer brings mission
aries The arrival of one in Cebu made nC
little trouble, as the report spread rapidly
among the ignorant classes that tht
Americans intended to compel them Il
give I'D their churches. The American au'
thorities, in the interests OF harmony
requested him 10 withdraw, and he com
piled.
Senior Ilorente who Is considered the
most influential native in Cebu, said Il
Mr.. Schurman: Il like the American idel
of the separation OF church and state bu
] think Il would be unwise to Introduce
Professionalism while conditions are SO un
settled" He has since arrived ir Manila
and taken his seat on the Dencn OF Inc Su
pTeme Court.
The rain has fallen almost continuously
for nine days II has been tremendous
deWnpour and the whole country is flood
ed The trenches At San Fernando ar
bitches of water. and the mud Is kne,
deep in the temporary camps al severa
OF the outlying towns Some OF the per
manent camps have been made fairl.
comfortable by the erection OF bamb
shelters rooted and ftOoTed.
-. ayaL- tah 1aFf
terday with the First Nebraska lnfantr!
and Batteries a and h of the Utah Ligh
Artillery. and the trasnport Senator
which carries the Pennsylvania troops
will remain several days AT NagasaA an
Yokohama. Japan.
According 20 the latest reports from tn
Province OF Cavite the insuTgent leader
there are quarTelinE. Aguinaldo's cousin
BaldOmerO AguinaldO. has been killed O
imprisoned by Gen. Marianao Trias. com
maudeT or the insurgents In the southern
district Of LuZon, and most OF his me
have deserted TO Trias. who is NOW ii
E'VLYfiSap H. M4Itbop