Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-12-14

OF this government which made their eerand
re.smdnently one Of peace and friendship.
nht petore their arrival at Manila the sinister
ambition OF few leaders of the Filippinos
mad created situation full Of ennbarrassments
Tor us and most greyous in its
Ilmnary report of the commissioners, which
transmit herewith. gives lucid and
prehensive history of the present insurrec-
tionary movement that the story need not be
here repeated.
1t is enough to say that the claim
OF the rebel leader that he was
promised independence by any Of
hcer OF the United States in rela-
ton for his assistance has no fOun-
dation In fact and is categoricalIy
denied by the very witnesses who
were called to prove 1T.
The most insu1gent leader hoped for when
ne came back to Manila was the liberation
Of the islands from the Spanish control, which
they had been laborng for years without
cess to throw off. The prompt accomplishment
OF this work by the American army and navy
gave him other ideas. and ambitions and in
verted the purposes and intentions with
which he had taken up arms. No had
our army captured Manila than the Filipino
forces began to assume an attitude of sus-
picion and hostility which the utmost efforts
of our officers and troops We're unable to dis
ance were taken as a proof of cowardice
Tho aggressions of the Filipinos continually
set by the senate Of the United states for
vote upon the treaty. an attack, evidently
prepared in advance, was made 81 along the
American lines. which resulted in temporary.
destructive and sanguinary repulse of the in
surgents.
Ten days later an order Of the insurgent
government was issued to its adherents who
had remained in Manila. Of which Gen: Otis
Justly observes that for intent it is
oclocE on n the night Of the 18th Of Febru
airy the territorial militia shall come TO-
their bolos with guns and ammunition when
convenient; that Filipino families alone shall
Of whatever race they may be, shall be ext .a-
minated without any compassion, after the
determination Of the army. of occupation and
adds: brothers, must aVenge ourselves
on the Americans and exterminate them, that
we may take our revenge f4r the ini iai,t.5
upon US. Have no compassion upon them'
attack with vigor."
A copy of this fell, by good fortune, into
the hands of o,;r officers, and they We're able
to take measures to control the rising, when
was actually attempted on the night OF rep.
plated. A considerable number OF armed IN,
surgents entered the city by waterways ana
side attempted to destroy Manila by fire. They
We're kept in check during the night. ana the
next day driven out of the city with heavy
This was the unhappy condition of affairs
which confronted our commissioners on tnelr
arrival in Manila. They had come with the
hope and intention of cooperating with Ad-
mral Dewey and Maj. Gen. Otis in establish
ing peace and order in the archipelago and
the largest measure of self-government COM
patible with the true welfare of the people.
What They Actually Found
can best be set forth in their own words:
"Deplorable as war is, the one IN winch we
are engaged was unavoidable by us. We
were attacked by bold, adventurous and en-
| thusastic army. No alternative was left to
US, except ignominious retreat. 1t is not to
| be conceived that any American would have
| sanctioned the surrender OF Manila to the in
surgents. Our obligations to other nations and
| to the friendly Filipinos and our flag de-
| manded that force should be met by force.
% %In iliypr y,ooH
be. there is no course open to us now except
the prosecution of the war until the insur-
gents reduced to submission. The COM
| mission is of the opinion that there has been
no time since the destruction of the Spanish
squadron by Admiral Dewey when it was pos
| either with honor to ourselves or with safety
| to the inhabitants"
The course thus clearly indicated
| has been unfiinchlingly pursued.
The rebellion must be put down.
Civil government cannot be thor
| oushly established until order is
| restored.
| With a devotion and gallantry worthy of
| its most brilliant history, the army. ably and
| loyalty assisted by the navy, has carried on
| this unwelcome but most righteous campaign,
| which richly deserved success. The noble self
| sacrifice with which our soldiers and sailors
| avail themselves of their right to return home
| as long they needed at the front
| forms one of the brightest pages in an
| nails Although their operations have been
| somewhat Interrupted and checked by a rainy
| season of unusual violence and duration, they
have gained ground steadily in every direc-
! ton and now look forward confidently to q
| speedy completion of their task.