Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-12-08

tranquility. and to undertake the estab-
lishment of a beneficient government
which should afford the fullest security
for life and property.
On the 2lst of December, after the treaty
was signed. the commander of the forces
of occupation was instructed ito announce
and proclaim in the most public manner,
that We come. not as invaders and con-
querors, but as friends to protect the ma
tives in their homes. in their employments
and in their personal and religious
rights" The same day, While ordering
General Otis to see that peace should be
preserved in Ilo Ilo, he was admonished
that: 1T is most important that there
should be no conflict with the insurgents"
On the first day Of January, 1899. gcneI al
orders reiterated that the kindly inten-
tions of this government should in every
possible way, be communicated to the
insurgents.
The Philippine Commission.
On the 2lst of January, announced my
int, ntion of disua:ching TO Manila a COM
mission composed of three gentlemen Of
the highest character and distinction
thoroughly acquainted with the Orient,
who. In association with Admiral Dewey
and MaiOr-General OTIS, were instructed
to facilitate the most humane and eff
fective ENDS and to secure, with the least
possible delay. the benefits of wise and
generous protection of life and proeprty to
the Inhabitants" These gentlemen were
DR.. Jacob Gould Schurman. president of
Cornell university; the Hon. Charles Dsn-
by, for many years minis er to Oh na
and Professor Dean c. Worcester. of the
university of Michigan. who had made
most careful study of life In the Phil
ippines.
While the treaty OF peace was under
consideration in the senate these comm s.
soners set out on their mission of good
will and liberation. Their character was a
sufficient guaranty OF the benefcient pur-
pose with which they went. even II they
had not borne the positive instructions Of
this government which made their errand
pre-eminently one of peace and friendship.
But before their arrival in Manila, the
sinister ambition of a few leaders of the
Filipinos had created a situation full OF
embarrassments for us and most grlevous
in its consequences to themselves.
The clear and impartial preliminary re-
port of the commissioners. which trans
NIT herewith. gives so lucid and compre-
hensve n history of the present insure c.
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
officer of the United States in return Cor
dSSisthiitt Ills no III ldNt.
and Is categorically denied by the very
witnesses who were called to prove 1t.
The most the insurgent leader hoped for
when he came back to Manila was the
liberation of the islands from the Spanish
control. which they had been laboring for
years. without success. to throw OFF.
Outbreak of the JnsurrectiOn.
The prompt accomplishment of this
work by the American army and navy
gave him other Ideas and ambitions, and
insidious suggestions from various quar-
ters perverted the purposes and intentions
with which he had taken up arms. No
sooner had our army captured Manila than
the Filipino forces began to assume an
attitude of suspicion and hostility. which
the utmost efforts OF our officers and
troops were unable to disarm or modify.
Their kindness and forbearance was taken
"a n proof OF cowardice. The aggression
OF the Filipinos continually increased. I'M
til. finally. Just before the time set for the
senate OF the United States to vote upon
the treaty. an attack. evidently prepared
in advance. was made all along the
American lines. which resulted in terri
bly, destructive and sanguinary repulse of
the insurgents.
Ten days later an order OF the insurgent
government was issued to Its adherents
who had remained in Manila, of which
barbarous intent II Is unequaled In mod
ern times" 1t directs that at s o'clock
on the night OF the 14th of February. the
territorial militia shall come together In
the streets of San Pedro. armed with
their bolos. with guns and ammunition
where convenient: that Filipino families
only shall be respected: that all other
individuals. of whatever race they may
be, shall be exterminated without any
compassion. after the determination OF
the army of occupation. and adds:
brothers. we must avenge ourselves on
the Americans and exterminate them.
that we may take our revenge for the
infamies and treacheries which they have
committed upon us. Have no compassion
upon them; attack with vigor."
copy Of this fell by good fortune
into the hands of our officers. and they
were able to take measures to control the
rising. which was actually attempted on
the night of February %. a week later
than was originally contemplated. con-
siderable number OF armed insurgents en-
tered the city by waterways and swarUps.
and. In concert with confederates inside.
ATTEMPTED to destroy Manila by fire. Thew
were kept In check during the night. and
the next day driven out of the city. with
heavy loss.
What the Commission Found.
This was the unhappy condition of af-
fairs which confronted our commissioners
on their arrival In Manila. They had
come with the hone and intention of CO.
operation with Admiral Dewey and Ma.
jor-General Otis in establishing peace and
order in the archipelago. and the largest
measure of self-government compatible
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 which
we are now engaged was unavoidable by
us. We were attacked by bold. adven-
turous and enthusiastic army. No alter
native was left us. except ignominious
retreat 1t Is not to be conceived OF that
any American would have sanctioned the
surrender of Manila to the insurgents
Our obligations to other nations and to
the friendly Filipinos and to ourselves and
our flag demanded that force should be
met with force. Whatever the future of
the Philippines may be. there is no course
open to us now except the prosecution OF
the war until the insurgents are reduced
to submission. The commission is of the
opinion that there has been no time since
the destruction of the Spanish squadron
by Admiral Dewey when It was possible
to withdraw our forces from the islands
either with honor to ourselves or with
safety to the inhabitants"
The course thus clearly indicated has
been unflinchingly pursued. The rebel
lion must be put down. Civil government
cannot be thoroughly established until
order IL restored. With a devotion and
gallantry worthy of its most brilliant
history. the army. ably and loyalty as
sisted by the navy, has carried on this I'M
welcome but most righteous campaign
with richly deserved success. The noble
self-sacri1ce with which our soldiers and
sailors. whose terms OF service had ex-
pired. refused to avail themselves of their
right to return home as long as they were
needed at the front forms one of the
brightest pages In our annals. Although
their operations have been somewhat in
terrupted and checked by l-ainy season
OF unusual violence and duration. they
have gained ground steadily in every d.
rection. and now look forward confidently
to n speedy completion of their task.
The unfavorable circumstances con-
nected with an active campaign have not
been permitted to interfere with the
equally important work of reconstruct
ton. Again I invite your attention to the
report OF the commissioners for the inter-
esting and encouraging details of the
work already accomplished in the es-
Establishment of peace and order and the
Inauguration OF sef-governing municipal
life in many portions OF the archipelago.