The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-11-11
IT SAYS THE WAR WAS FORCED UPON US.
We Had Either to Retreat or Fight-We
Couldn't Do the Former, HonorabIy, and
Were Compelled to Accept the Alterna-
tIve-Filipinos Declared Incapable of


uo thS A>AN $1,000 sN~
historical events which preceded the
Spanish war and led to the original
Filipino insurrection; of the exchange
between Admiral Dewey and other
American commanders and the insur-
gents; the breaking out and progress
Of the present instruction, and final
q statement of the capacity of the
pinos for self-government. \
able feature of the report is a men,
'ndum by Admiral Dewey explana-
v of his relations with Aguinaldo.
80 The Con,mission's Findings.
Among the points emphasized in the
report are the following:
That Admiral Dewey made no prom
$ to A~guinaldo.
hat Aguinaldo forced the war upon
United States. leaving the admins
alton no alternative except ignomini-
Gus retreat.
That there was no time after Dew
ey's victory over the Spaniards when it
was possible "to withdraw our forces
,ither with honor to ourselves or with
.afety to the inhabitants"
That the insurrection is confined to
six provinces of Luzon, with a popula-
Sltion of only 10000 OO.
3 That the Filipinos are not capable
of self-government.
That if American authority should
-itndrawn the islands would lapse
I state of anarchy.
t ~Aguinaldo's purpose is not to
MS people independence, but the
uance of his own arbitrary and
C power.
,eport begins with the following
nent:
The undersigned commissioners ap-
inted by you to investigate affairs
the Philippine islands, and to report
result of their Investigations, to-
er with such recommendations as
ut in their judgment be called for
he conditions which should be
d to exist in these islands, have
honor to submit the following pre-
,ary statement in compliance with
request"
committe next tells briefly Ecw
conducted the task entrusted to K,
ring statements from all classes of
"a III oii as W tiS NoDoNltS VI
Vilipinos for self-government, the
S and customs of the people, and
the establishment of municipal
uments in many towns. All this
is to be included in the final re-
The Rebellion of 1906.
eng to the history of the islands,
omission attaches little Importance
divers rebellions which had proceed
At of 1896. AS to this movement,
.eclare that it was in no sense an at
to win Independence, but solely to
relief from intolerable abuses. To
n this statement they quote from
urgent proclamation, showing that
at was demanded was the expulsion
tie friars and the restitution to the
pie of their lands, with a division of
episcopal sees between Spanish and
i've priests. 1t was also demanded that
e Hilipinos have parliamentary repre-
Mt ion, freedom. of the press, religious
= ton, economic autonomy and laws
to those Of Spain. The abolition
power of Punishment was demand
h a legal equality for all persons
and equality in pay between Span
! native servants.
Jmmission declares that these de-
had good ground; that on paper
Danish ssa hut system is m. c OF goses enmne mt. Was
nor did what he saw fit, and the
eeds of men in the government were
efrom Spain by strict censorship.
is made to the powerful Kati-
ciety, patterned on the Masonic
nd mainly made up OF Tagolos.
.werful revolutionary force.
bought of Independence.
y begun in 1896, was terminated
atty of Biac-Na-Bate The Fill
numerous, but possessed only
re ar%s' 100 m neant to c lg5t
ronghold. and concluded to
use of money. Certain con-
81 slso decided upon, includ-
N,,clon OF the Filipinos in the
SPortation of the friars.
81 principal question; the
,Fkht of association, and a
IA was willing to pay
aShen Aguinaldo and his
f9hg officers arrived in
5tapbears. however, that Pa
.ered the latter s4O0, 900, $780,
when Aguinaldo arrived DIT
~ and the balance when the
delivered up their arms. The
was not acceptable to the
ses were never carried out.
abuses began afresh, in Manila
ore thar 200 being executed.
'oradic risings occurred, though
sessed nothing like the strength
igfnal movement. The insurgents
arms, ammunition and leaders
saty had ended the war, which,
ae exception Of an unimportant out
Cebu, had been confined to Lu-
inns sovereignty In the other is
s wht h IA been Questioned, am
1rt tells how Gen. Augusta
anfla as governor general X
e, and war broke out betwee>
the United States. Augusta
secure the support Of the FIJI
sfend Spain against America
them autonomy, but the FIIs
trust him.
Dewey and AEuinaldo.
n came the first of May, and the d.
lion OF the Spanish feet by DeweS,
the resulting loss of perstige 20
l. Then. in June, Aguinaldo capes.
us point the commission says:
following memorandum on tAls
has been furnished The comrils-
Admira Dewey:
rorandum of Relations with Agui-
On April "a, 1898, the following ci-
ispatch was received at Hong Kong
Mr.. Z. Spencer Pratt, linked Sta les
general at Singapore: .lguinaIdo.
ut leader, here. VIII come Hong
t<ranAs with ssnmissioners foE