Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-11-11

------------------------
wished to attack the Americans whes
they landed at Paranque, but was de-
tered by lack of arms and ammuni
tion. From this point on there was q
growing friction between the Filipinos
and the American troops. There never
was any preconcerted operation or any
combined movement by the United
States and Filipinos against the Span
iards.
Reference is made to Aguinaldo's
demand that he be allowed to loot
Manila and take the arms of the Span
iards. The latter demand is said to con.
firm the statement that he intended
to get possession of the arms to attack
the Americans. Further evidence OF
the hostile intentions of the Filipinos
was found in the organization OF
popular clubs" which later on fur
nished a local militia to attack the
Americans. The DEGREES of the Fill.
pino congress are also cited, as well
as the making of bolos (knives) in ey'
cry shop in Manila.
A brief chapter then tells Of the un-
successful efforts made at this time by
General Merritt, through commits
sion, to arrive at mutual under
standing with Aguinaldo as the inten-
tions, purposes and desires of the
Filipino people. This brings the story
up to the outbreak on the evening OF
the 4th of February, with the attack
upon the American troops following
the action of the Nebraskan sentinel.
Could Not Avoid War.
The commission In concluding this
chapter says:
"Deplorable as war is, the one in
which we are now engaged was un-
avoidable by us. We were attacked
by bold, adventurous and enthusi-
astic army. No alternative was left
us eXcept ignominous retreat. 1t Is
not to be conceived of that any Amer
lean would have sanctioned this SUR
render OF Manila to the insurgents.
Our obligations to other nations, ana
TO the friendly Filipinos and to our
selves, to our flag, demanded that
force should be met by force. What
ever the future Of the Filipinos may
be, there is no course open to us now
except the prosecution of the war tn-
ill the insurgents are reduced to sub
mission. The commission is of the
opinion that there has been no time
since the destruction of the Spanish
squadron of Admiral Dewey when 1T
was possible to withdraw our forces
from the islands either with honor TO
ourselves or with safety TO the inhab-
itants."
The report then takes up the conditions
OF the country at the time or tnelr re-
moval comparing II with conditlons ex.
isting at the time they left a snort tlne
before. A vivid picture Is given OF the
anarchy existing among the inhabitants,
in and about Manila during the early
spring The report then SPEAKS rocIana- OF the ls
tion and the good effects it had on public
sentiment Under the head, Rebellion
Not a National Movement, me report
treats OF the rebellion outside OF the prov
inces of Luzon, where, 1t Is stated; the
uprising was viewed at first with indlner.
ence and later with fear. Throughout
the archipelago at large there was trou-
BILE only at those points 70 which armed
Tagalos had been sent In considerable
numbers. 1t is stated that the insurgent
administration throughout the interior
was worse than In the days of Spanish
mlsrule; in many provinces there was ao-
solute anarchy, and from all sides came
petitions for protection and heip.
Situation Improving.
As TO the state of affairs when the COM
mission left the report says:
Nearly all the inhabitants nau re-
turned to the ruined villages. Many of
the houses had been rebuilt. Fields that
had lain fallow for three years were
green with crops Municipal govern
ments had been established and the peo-
pie, protected by our troops, were enjoy
Ing peace, security and degree OF par
ticipation in their own government pre-
yiously unknown in the history of the
Philippines. Attempts Of the insurgents
to raise recruits and money In the prov
ince OF Bulacan was proving abortiVe,
except when backed by bayonets and bull
let's and even in such cases the natives
were applying TO us fer help to resist
them.
"When we left Manila a large volume
Of business was being done. The native
population was quiet and orderly and
all fear of an uprising had long since
passed.
IAN efficient corps of native policemen
was on duty. A system Of public schools,
in which English was taught, had been
advocated by the commission and estab-
lished by General Otis. Some 5000 schol-
ars were In attendance.
"In the Tagalo, province of LuZon,
where the anti-Amerlcan feeling had
been strongest, public sentiment had
greatly changed, as evidenced by the fact
that the military governor of Blangas
had offered to surrender his troops and
his province If we would only send a
small force there The Bicols, in southern
Luzon, had risen against their Tagalo
masters. The Maccabbes were clamoring
for an opportunity to fight in our ranks
and native soldiers and scouts were al
ready serving under, General Lawton."