The evening times., 1899-01-17
The News From Manila.

The News From Manila.
The positive statement that the delay in
the ratification of the Treaty is helping
Aguinaldo comes from Manila. OF It's
truth nobody has doubt. But the Senate
is less TO blame for this than most peo
pie assert-or. rather, the Senate should
not have monopoly of the blame. IL has
no authoritative information that there is
any cause of haste. In submitting the
document to Congress, the President gave
no intimation of the Importance of early or
favorable consideration. 1t has been the
invariable custom for a President TO write
a message in transmitting a treaty. ex-
planning the circumstances of its creation
and the effect of delay or adverse action.
In departing from all precedent, President
Mckinley virtually disclaimed any par
ticular concern about the fate of the Trea-
ty of Paris and in effect asserted that an
early ratification, amendment or rejection
was of no consequence. Ii is fair for the
Senate TO infer that nothing of moment
depends on its prompt action; that oppo-
sition and delay can work no harm to the
ton. AS matter of fact. the Senators.
as citizens and newspaper readers, know
better but as Senators they have the eX-
cuse of the Presidents Indifference.
1t is distinctly stated by trustworthy
newspaper correspondents at Manila that
The delay is an injury to American pres
tige there; that ''two-thirds of the popula-
tion would gladly support American rule,
but dare not oppose Aguinaldo, who is
backed by the army" that 1.-The better
class of Filipinos and the working classes
fully understand that any form of purely
native government would constitute a
reign of terror Another important piece
OF news is that "a committee Of influential
natives from Iloilo are imploring Aguin-
aldos consent to the Americans occupying
that town. in fear that otherwise the hill
tribes. who form a part of the insurgent
army will loot and burn the city
Here. then. is the situation. The Presi-
dent instructed his Commissioners to Paris
10 insist on the surrender of Spanish SOW
ereignty in the Philippines in favor of this
country and he has distinctly affirmed
American responsibility for the good order
of the islands and the protection of the
lives and property of all classes. He has
issued proclamation formally taking con-
troll of the Philippines and warning all un-
authorized bodies of men under arms to
disband and disarm under penalty of sup
preston by force. Aguinaldo, a self-ap-
pointed dictator, deriving authority from
no one against the wishes of two-thirds Of
the people, has instituted reign of ter
ror. taken possession of Iloilo and threat
ems the American force at Manila. He
openly defies the authority of this Govern
ment and demands recognition as the king
of the Philippines by right of might. In
stead of using force to relieve the people
of his expressions, the President instructs
General Otis TO recognize him so far as to
hold council with him. This encourages
him to believe he has intimidated this Gov
ernment and it emboldens the agents of
Germany TO further advise and aid him.
He receives information that the Presi-
dent will not employ force and that he has
advocates in the Senate struggling for his
recognition as the authorized leader of the
Filipinos which he is not.
There is one hope for the American peo-
pie who are humiliated by the inaction OF
the President. This is that Aguinaldo may
be rash enough to attack the American
army. Fortunately, our soldiers are not
likely TO stop with merely repelling an
assault. 1t is even possible that hostili-
ties may be precipitated by the insolence
| of Aguinaldos rebels The news is trust
e. vol
force in check with difficulty, and natives
have been arrested for smuggling arms
into the walled city" that "the position
I of the Americans is very unpleasant, as
their Spanish prisoners are unfriendly
and hostile natives are numerous and well
! armed, both inside and outside of Ma
nila;" that the latter ''are most insolent,
! and il is hard work TO restrain the Ameri-
cans, as the Filipino soldiery come out OF
their lines, close up to the American out
! posts, load their rifles, deliberately point
them at the American soldiers and then
derisively walk back to their own lines
| 1t is said that in these circumstances
there may be fight at any moment.
For the situation has another aspect.
] Weary of waiting for the President to
issue the instructions to General Otis to
attack Aguinaldo and release the Spanish
prisoners, Spain has begun to treat direct
ly with the rebel leader. Being revenge
full TO the last degree, it is entirely prob
able that Spain will, as predicted by a
| Madrid correspondent, recognize -Aguinal-
| dos government and use its influence to
induce other nations especiaiiy Germany
to do likewise. The inaction of the Presi-
| dent, who has made no practical effort to
carry out the promise to do his best to OBJ
tain the release of the prisoners, is ample
warrant for such action on the part of
Spain. We can have no cause to protest