Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-08

who, in association with Admiral Dewey
and Major-General C.i- were instructed
to facilitate the met humane and ef-
fective extension OF authority throughout
the islands and 10 - cure with the least
possible delay the benefits OF a wise and
generous protection OF life and property
TO the Inhabitants
These gentlemen were DIR. Jacob Gould
Schurman. president Of Cornell uniVer-
sity: the Hon Charles DENLY. for many
years minister TO China. and Prof. Dean
G. Worcester of the University Of Mich
isan who had made q most careful study
of lie in the Philippines. But before
their arrival al Manila the 81 .ster am
bition of a few leaders of the F'ilipinos
had created = situation full of embar-
easements for us and most grieVous in
its consequences TO themselves. The
clear and impartial preliminary report of
the commissioners gives so lucid and
comprehensive a history of the present
insurrcctionary 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 officer OF the United States in return
for his assistance has no foundation in
fact and is categorically denied by the
very witnesses who Were called TO prove
IT. The most the insurgent leader hop
ed for when he came back 10 Manila
was the liberation of the islands from the
SpdulSu control Wnlcn Iney ndu Deen
ldboring for years without success to
throw off
The prompt accomplishment of this
work by the American army and navy
gave him other ideas and ambitions and
insidious suggestions from various quar-
tiers perverted the purposes and inten-
tons with which he had taken up arms
No sooner had our army captured Manila
than the Filipino forces began TO as
sumo an affit1lIa af SttS,,ioion and bo
tility. which the utmost efforts of our
ofIlcers and troops were unable 10 disarm
or modify. Their kindness and forbear-
ance were taken a a proof of coward
ice. The asgressions of the Filipnos
continually increased until finally just
before the time set 10y tho senate of the
United States for n vote upon the treaty
an attack. evidently prepared in ad-
vance, was made all along the American
lines, which resulted in terribly de-
structive and sanguinary repulse OF the
insurgents.
Ten days later an order OF ire insur-
gent government was issued "a its adj
herents who had remained IN Manila OF
which Gen. Otis justly observes that for
barbarous intent il Is unequaled in mod
ern times. 1t directs that at o'clock
on the night of the 18th of February the
territorial militia shall come together in
the streets of San Pciro, armed with
their bolos, with guns and ammunition
whore convenient; that Filipino families
only shall be respected; but that all
other individuals. Of whatever race they
may be. shall be externinated without
amy compassion after the determination
Of the army of occupation, and adds:
Brothers. We must avengc ourselves
on the Americans and eXterminate them,
that me may take out revenge for the
infamies and treacheries which they have
committed upon us Have no compass
sion upon them; attack with yigor.'
y copy of this fell 10y good fortune into
the hands OF oar officers and they We're
able to take measures TO control the ris-
ing, which was actually attempted on the
night of Feb. ~ i week later than was
originally contemplated. Considerable
numbers of armed insurgents entered the
CITY by waterways and swampS and in
concert with confederatcs inside. attempt
ed 10 destroy Manila by lire. They were
kept in check during the night and the
next day driven out of the city with
heavy loss.
This was the unhappy condition OF af-
fairs which confronted our commission
ers on their arrival in Manila. They had
come with the hope aud intention OF CO.
operating with Admiral Dewey and
Major-Cien. Otis in establishing peace
and order i'm the archipelago and the
largest measure of self-gOvcrnment com
patible with the true welfare of the PEG
pie. What they actually found can best
be set forth in their own words
"Deplorable as is. the one in which
We are now engaged was unavoidable by
Us. We were attacked by a bold. adven-
tJrous and enthusiastic army. No alterna-
tive was left 10 us, except ignominous
retreat
H. a ne cd nf Ia
American would have sanctioned the sur
render of Manila to the insurgents. our
obligations to other nations ana To the
friendly F'ilipinos and 10 Our selves and
flag demanded that force should be
met by force Whatever be future of
the Philippines may be there is no
course open to US now except the PROSE
Cution of the war until the insurgents
are reduced 10 submission The commits
sion is of the opinion that there has been
no time since the destruction of the Span
iSh squadron by Admiral Dewey when
il was possible 10 withdraw forces
from the islands. either with honor TO
ourselves or win safety II the mia bit
ants"
The course thus clearly indicated has
been untiinchingly pursued The rebel
hon must be put down. Civil govern
ment cannot be thoroughly established
Until order il restored. With a devotion
and gallantry worthy of its most bril-
liant history. the army, ably and loyalty
assisted by the navy. has carried on this
unwelcOme, but most righteous cam
paign with richly deserved success. The
noble self-sacrifice with which our SOL
diers and sailors whose terms of service
had expired refused to avail themselves
OF their right to return home long as
they were needed at the front forms one
of the brightest pages in our annals. AL
though their operations have been some
that interrupted and checked by rainy
season of unusuah violence and duration,
they have gained ground steadily in
every direction and now look forward
confidently TO speedy completion of
their task
AS 20 Porto Rico the message states
the time is ripe for the adoption of a
temporary form of government for the
island. Many of the suggestions made
with reference to Alaska, it is stated,
are applicable also to Porto Rico.
Changes in the latter, however, should
not be made abruptly and racial pc
culiarities must be given due weight.
The message closes with some peril
nent suggestions as to lynchings in the
south. the proposed memorial bridge
over the Potomac and a statement of
the purposes of the executive order re-
lating to civil service of May 6. 1896,
and reference to the coming 14th of
December, the Tooth anniversary of the
death Of Washington, and the patriotic
reflections naturally arising the,efrOm
and concludes with these words:
Never has this nation had ,,oro