The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-04
The Report on the Philippines.

The Report on the Philippines.
The preliminary report which the Philip
pine Commission has submitted to the
President Is a document so lucid, temperate
and judicial in Its treatment OF the Philip
pine question that II must carry conviction
10 every reasonable mind who follows its
narration.
First, as to the composition OF the
body. With President SCHURMAN OF
Cornell University as It's President, and
Admiral DEWEY, the Hon. CHARLES DENNY,
formerly Minister to China, and Prof. DEAN
c. WORCESTER "a his colleagues, no ques-
tion as to the ability and high character OF
tho Commission can arise. Filter men for
the task Of Investigating the conditions in
the Philippines and suggesting measures
rendered necessary by them could be found
nowhere. They present an historical re-
view Of our relations with the FilipInos
which the world will accept as true, dis
eliminating and conclusive
When in 1896 a Filipino rebellion broke
out against Spanish rule It was in no sense
movement for independence, but merely
TO obtain relief from intolerable abuses OF
administration. 1t was terminated by
treaty OF peace In 1897 with promises OF
amendment, which were not fulfilled, but
practically II was bought OF by the accept
ance OF 81 100000 from the Governor
General. the money to be paid when AGUI-
NALDo and his Cabinet arrived at Hong
Kong. Four hundred thousand dollars OF IL
was to go to AGUINALpo, one-half OF which
was actually paid to him. tho remainder to
be paid when the Fllipinos had given up their
arms. Naturally. they were disconnected at
being thus sold out by their chief. Upris-
ings again occurred. and this was the
condition when DEWEY arrived at Manila
The Governor-Genera had promised them
complete autonomy II they assisted Spain
against America. but they dlstrusted Span
ish promises. Our Consul at Singapore
had notified Commodore DEWEY Of AauI-
SALDos desire to confer with him as the
fleet WAS about TO leave Hong Kong and
that officer had told hun to " come az soon
IA possible -; but he did not come In time
and DEWEY sailed away without him. Sub
seIurntly AGS&ALDo was allowed TO 60
Ia Manila on the McCull och, arriving
there with his stan, May IL. 1898.
II" was allowed to land at Cavlt6
and organize an army to attack the
Spanards, though no alliance with him
Of any kind was proposed, and It was not
until the arrival Of the American troops
commanded by Gen. ANDERSON that AGUI-
NALDo revealed that he had any idea Of
Filipino Independence: then he issued n
proclamation to the FIllpnos promising IL
10 them on our behalf, though he had
received no such promise from Commodore
DEWEY or any other officer or representa-
tive. He declared himself dictator and at
once began to manifest hostility to the
American troops There was no conference
and no cooperation between the forces OF
AoUISALpo and our own, but rather
strained relations from the beginning.
After the taking OF Manila our soldiers
on guard and on every limo OF duty
were subjected to persistent and evidently
studied and concerted insult at tho hands OF
the Agulnaldo band, 30 that only tho exer-
oise Of the severest discipline could prevent
resentment by the manhood OF the troops
AGUINALDo was trying TO provoke a conflict
and our purpose to avoid II and give only
the most considerate treatment was
adhered to patiently until 1t generated
IN the Fillpino5 the notion that our soldiers
were cowardy. AduTNALDo continued
persistcntly in his efforts to get a pretext
for fghting US, and when at last Filipino
officer who attempted to force back the out
post OF the Nebraska regiment was shot by
sentinel after refusing to desist, the
Filipinos began to fire all along the line In
response to pre-arranged signal.
That was on Feb. 4. and 1t was the begin
ming Of the hostilities. They were etudl-
ously provoked by AGUNALDo. who had
treated our long forbearance as simply
On evidence OF weakness, and the circum-
stantial history rotated by tho Commission
disposes finally of the accusation OF AoUI-
SALDos "anti-imporlalist allies In this
country, that tho war was melted and be-
gun by us In wanton disregard OF the rights
OF the Filipinos. This narrative also sets at
rest not less effectually their allegation that
our officers entered into an alliance with
AaUNALDo. Our self-control only stimu-
lated the more his dictatorial determine.
tlon for he attributed It to fear OF him; but
when the hostilties he provoked were be-
gun he soon found out his mistake.
The report OF the Commission then goes
on to relate the events and describe the
conditions after it reached Manila on March
4. Then that oity was suffering greatly
half Of the native population had fed; busi,
ness was at standstill, the Insurgents