The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-07-03
WILL BE NEUTRAL.
Filipinos of South
Say They Do Not
Wish War.
RESULT OF SCHURMAN'S TOUR.
Peace Commission Thinks
the Outlook Most
Favorable.
RESULT OF SCHURMAN'S TOUR.

Manila, July 2, p. m.-Prof. j. G.
Schurman, of the United States adj
visory commission for the Philippines,
returned from Manila today from a
three weeks tour of the southern ISL
ands. He takes an entirely hopeful
view of the general conditions there.
The intelligent and substantial citi-
zens desire an American protectorate.
The masses are awaiting the settlement
of the war in the island of Luzon be-
fore declaring themselves. They are
chiefly anxious to be undisturbed.
The president Of the town of Santo
Nicolas, in the island of Cebu, said to
Mr.. Schurman: I'VE want peace, food
and prosperity. We do not wish to
fight. We would be neutral"
The president of the commission
thinks this declaration fairly expresses
the sentiments of the people in the
southern islands of the archipelago.
Many of the towns there are in the
hands of Tagulas.
The United States gunboat Benning-
ton took Mr., Schurman to Mindanao
and the islands Of the Sulu and Visayan
groups He travelled through the island
of Negroes with Capt. Smith and a party
of natives. In several of the principal
towns he was rendered banquets, and
ne had an hours conference with the
young sultan of Sulu, who received him
in the royal audience chamber, sur
rounded by body guard of stalwart,
fierce-looking Moros
Mr.. Schurman told the sultan that
the United States had acquired the
sovereignty of the Philippines from
Spain, but had no wish to subiugate
the population nor to interfere with
their customs of religion. On the con-
trary, the great desire of the American
government was to help the people of
the Islands to develop their country.
The sultan replied that he earnestly
desired peace and was anxious to con-
tinue the existing treaties.
On the return voyage the president of
the commission visited the town of
Borneo. capital of British North Bor-
neo, where he was cordially received
by the British officials who afforded
him every facility in his study of the
local government and customs of the
people. The population he found much
ike that of the southern Philippine ISL
ands. The government is at present
IN rather elementary state, but a
more complete organization is being de-
Yesterday Gen. Lawton and Prof
worcester of the commission visited
the principal towns in the province of
Cavite out of which the natives were
recently driven. Their chief purpose
was to direct the election of the presi-
dents of linus, Bacoor, Paranauue and
Las Pinas. Under the municipal sys-
tenn thus inaugurated the presidents.
or mayors, of the towns are empowered
int j1afN lot, l..
taxes, which are to be expended solely
in public improvements.
Before acting, Gen. Lawton ard Mr..
worcester had consulted with leading
men in each town, and selected cam
didates whose honesty and frienoli
ness to American rule were beyond
question. Wherever they went, the
Americans were heartily cheered by
the people.
Tomorrow the public schools in Ma
Mia will open, and it is expected that
there will be 5000 children in attend
ance. The teachers include America rs.
Spaniards and Filipinos. One Of the
instructors is the widow of the Fill
Pine patriot, DIR. Risal, who prepared
the statutes of, the Philippine league,
and who, when about to hoard steam
er at Barcelona in the autumn of 1896,
was arrested by the Spanish authori-
ties and sent to Manila, where he was
tried by court martial, on charge of
having organized the uprising in the
Philippines, sentenced to death ard
shot December 29 of that year.
After her husbands execution, Mrs.
Rial, who is the step-daughter of a
retired Hong Kong gentleman, went
to linus and was chosen captain of a
company of insurgents. English will be
taught in the schools one hour each
day. The prescribed holidays include
the twenty church days observed in
Manila, Washingtons birthday and the
Fourth of July.
Almost every steamer brings mis-
sionaries. The arrival of one in Cebu
made no little trouble, as the report
spread rapidly among the ignorant
classes that the Americans intended to
coElpel them to give up their churches.
The American authorities, in the inter-
est of harmony requested him to with
draw and he complied.
Senior Llorente, who is considered the
most influential native in Cebu, said to
Mr.. Schurman: Il like the American
idea of the separation of church and
state, but 1 think 1t would be unwise
to introduce Professionalism while con-
ditions are so unsettled" He has since
arrived in Manila and taken his seat
The rain has fallen almost rtinu-
ously for nine days. 1t has been a ire
mendous downpour, and the whole
country Is flooded. The trenches at San
Ferdinando are full of water and the
mud is knee deep in the temporary
camps at several of the outlaying
towns. Some of the permanent camps
have been made fairly comfortable by
the erection of bamboo shelters, rooted
and fioored.
The transport Hancock, which left
yesterday with the First Nebraska and
batteries A and B of the Utah light ar
tillery, and the transport Senator
which carries the Pennsylvania troops.
will remain several days at Nagasiki
and Yokohama, Japan.
According to the latest reports from
the province of Cavite, the insurgent
leaders there are quarelling. Aguin-
aldo's cousin, Boldmero Aguinaldo, has
been killed or imprisoned by Gen Mar
lano Trias commander OF the insur-
gents in the southern district Of Luzon
and many of his men have deserted to