The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-11-03
FILIpIN0S INCAPABLE
OF SELF GOVERNMENT
Report of the Commissioners to President MCKin
ley Given Out to the Public.
Lack of Education and Experence-Anarchy Would Pre-
vail Under Their RueUnted States Must Hold Islands.


day the Philippine commission submit
ted 10 the president the preliminary re-
port which il had promised to prepare
The report appears to be compac'
summary of conditions on the islands
as the commission left them; of the
historical events which preceded the
Spanish war and led to the original
Filipino insurrection; of the exchanges
betN cen Admiral Dewey and the other
American commanders and the inSur-
gents: the breaking out and progress
OF the present insurrection, and finally a
statement of the capacity of the Fill
piDos for self f-government. \ notable
feature of the report is a memoran-
dunn by Admiral Dewey, explanatory of
his relations with Aguinaldo.
The commission tells briefly how it
conducted the task entrusted to it,
hearing statements from all classes of
people in Manila, as to the capability OF
the Filipinos for self-government, the
habits and customs of the people, and
also the establishment of municipal
governments in many towns. All this
matter is to be included in the final re-
port.
History of the Islands.
Turning to the history of the islands.
the commission attaches little impor-
tance to the divers rebeIlions which had
preceded that of 1896. AS to this move
ment they declare il was in no sense
an attempt to win independence, bur
solely to obtain relief from intolerable
abuses. To sustain this statement they
quote from an insurgent proclamation.
showing that what was demanded was
the expulsion of the friars and the res
sitution to the people of their lands,
with a division of the episcopal sees
between Spanish and native priests.
1t was also demanded that the Fill
pinos have parliamentary representa-
ton, freedom of the press, religious
liberation, economic autonomy and laws
similar to those of Spain. The abolition
of the power of banishment was de-
manded. with a legal equality for all
persons in law and equality in pay be-
tween Spanish and native civil ser
rants.
The commission declares that these
demands had good ground; that on pa
per the Spanish system of government
was tulerable, but in practice every
Spanish governor did what he saw fit,
and the evil deeds OF men in the gov
eminent were hidden from Spain by
strict press censorship. AllusiOn is
made to the powerful Katipunan So
ciety. patterned on the Masonic order.
and mainly made up of Tagalos, as d
powerful revolutionary force.
The War of 1896.
The war begun in 1896 was terminated
by the treaty of Bate. The
Filipinos were numerous. but possessed
about only 500 small arms. The Span
jsh felt that it would require 100 coo
men to capture their stronghold, and
concluded TO resort to the use of money.
Certain concessions were also decided
upon, including representation of the
Filipinos in the cortes, the deportation
Of the friars, which was the principal
question; the grant of the right of as
sociation and q free press.
Governor General Rivera was willing
to pay 81, O00. COO Mexican. when Aguin-
aldo and his cabinet and leading Off
GERS arrived in .Hongkong. 1t appears,
however. that Paterno only offered the
latter 100000 100000 10 be paid when
Aguinaldo arrived at Hongkong and the
balance when the Filipinos had deliV-
cred up their arms. The arrangement
was not acceptable to the people.
The promises were never carried out,
and Spanish abuses began afresh in
Manila alone more than 200 men being
executed. Hence sporadic revolutions
occurred, though they possessed moth
ing like the strength of the original
movement.
Filipinos Unprepared For War.
AN AA9NA 4ilS ioiNht-l dI Ills
ton and leaders. The treaty had ended
the war, which, with the exception of
an unimportant outbreak in Cebu. had
been confined TO Luzon. SPANS sOver-
eighty in the islands never having been
questioned and the thought of inde-
penoence never having been enter
tanned.
The report then tells how General
augustine came TO Manila as governor
general at this junctme and war broke
out between Spain and the United
States. Augustine sought TO secure the I
support Of the Filipinos to defend Spain 4
against America. promising them au- !
Ionomy. but the FilipinOs did not trust /
him. Then came the 1st of May and |
the destruction OF the Spanish fleet by |
Dewey. with the result OF the loss of /
prestige TO Spain. Then in June Aguin- /
aldo came. on this point the commits /
sion says:
The following memorandum on this |
subject has been furnished the commits /
sion by Admiral Dewey:
Relations With Aguinaldo.
Memorandum of relations with
On April "a, 1898, the fol-
lowing cipher dispatch was received at
from +. Spencer Pratt.
United States consul at Singapore:
Aguinaldo, insurgent leader. here.
" III coIlle TO bOHSkONS ana arrange
with commodore for general co-opera-
ton of insurgents at Manila if desired.
PRATT
'on the same day Commodore Dewey
Mr.. Pratt: Tell Aguinaldo
TO come as soon as possible the neces-
sity for haste being due to the fact that
The squadron had been notified by the
Hongkong government TO leave those
waters by the following day
1.-The Squadror left Hongkong on the
of the 25th and Mrs Bay on
he 27th. ASuinaldO did not leave Sing
ipore until the 26tb and so did not ar
i've in Hongkong iE time to have a
conference with the admiral
1t had been reported 20 the commo-
lore as early as March by the United
States consul at Manila and others that
he Filipinos had broken out in insur-
'ection against the Spanish authority
n the vicinity OF Manila. and on March
o Mr.. Williams had telegraphed: Five
thousand rebels. armed, in camp near
.ity. Loyal TO US in case of war
Aguinaldo Calls On Dewey.
Upon the arrival of the squadron at
danila it was found this was no insur-
ection to speak of, and il was accord
ngly decided to allow Aguinaldo TO ,
ome to Cavite on board the McCul- !
och. He arrived with thirteen of his
taft on May -. and Immediately came ,
n board the Olympia to call. on the
afl1f3 a slfier- mischief after which he