The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-03


n " mission for the philippines.
returned to Manila today
from . threS weeks trip In
the southern islands. He takes an entire
iy hopeful view of tho general conditions
there. The intelligence and substantial
citizens desire an American prosecterate.
The masses are awaiting the settlement
Of the war In the island Of Luzon before
declaring themselves. They are chiefly
anxious 10 be undisfurbed 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 sem
timents Of the people In the southern ISL
ands Of the archipelago.
Many Of the towns there are In the
hands OF small bands Of Tagalos. and the
people fear to indorse American rule un-
I'll they are certain that Asuinaido must
ba beaten. Let them once ba convinced
Of this. and the allegiance OF the southern
islands. Mr.. Schurman thinks, can be Sc
cured by diplomacy.
The sultan Of ssls.
The United States gunboat Bennington
took Mr.. Schurman to Mindanao and tho
islands OF the Sulu and visayan groups.
He Travelled through the island OF Nexros
with Col Smith and party OF natives In
several Of the principal towns he was ten
dered banquets, and had an hours con-
ference with the young sultan Of Sulu. who
received him in the royal audience cham
Der, surrounded BY body guard OF fierce
looking Oros.
Mr.. Schurman told the sultan that the
United States had acquired the sover-
eighty Of the Philippines from Spain. but
had no wish to subjugate the population,
nor to interfere with their customs or
religion. On the contrary the great de-
sire OF the American government was to
help the people Of tho islands to develop
their country.
The sultan replied that he earnestly
desired peace and was anxious to con-
tinue the existing treaties.
Visit to British norneo.
On the return voyage the president OF
the commission visited the town OF Bor-
neo. capital of British North Rorneo.
where he was cordially received by the
British officials. who offered him every
facility In his study of the local govern
ment and the customs OF the people
The population ne found mitch like that
OF the southern Philippine islands. The
government, is at present in a rather ele.
menfary state. but more complete or
ganixation is being developed as prac-
ticahie.
Local Governments EstahIiaAeA.
Yesterday Gen. Iaw,on and Prof. wor-
ccster, of the commission. visited the
principal towns In the province OF Caviie.
out OF which the natives were recently
driven. Their chief purpose was 10 d.
rect the elections OF the presidents OF
linus. Baooor. Paranaane and Las
Pinas- Under ths municipal system thus
!naugura;ed the presidents or the mayors
OF the towns are empowered 10 appoint
minor officials and TO levy taxes. which
are TO be expended solely In public i'm
proyements.
Before acting Gen I4awson and Mr..
Worcester had consulted with the leading
men III each town and selected canai-
dates whose honesty and frsendiiness TO
American rule were beyond question.
Wherever they went the Americans were
heartily cheered by the people
Public schools 10 Open.
Tomorrow the pneiic schools in Manila
VIII open and 1t IL expected that there
will ~ sap children in attendance Tas
teachers include Americans Seansards
ard Rf'fninos One of the Instructors Ia
the widow % the Filipino patriot. DR..
Rial. who prepared the statutes OF ths
Philippine League and who. waen about
30 hoard steamer az Barcelona in the
autumn 81 ,ss was arrested by the Span
ish authorities and snt TO Manila where
he wss tried by eoars-martiai on a charge
% having organized the uprising tn the
rhiisrGiaes sentenced 10 death ard shot
on December - % that year. After aer
husbands execution. Mrs RiSai. who IL
the stcraAaghtsr of Hougkeng gentle
msa went 80 linus. and was chosen cap
tain OF company Of insurgents English
will De taught IN tAs schools one hour each
tsy. T-ne pre>rrfesa holidays Include sae
twenty church days observed In Manila
wasA!nston's birthday ara the Fourth Of
Ialy
Mtssioaastea MAKE TvesAie.
AI-sexs every steamer ersrxs ruIsNoza-
r1~s TIE arrival Of ere In ceeu made 80
little sregale. as the report srre2t raS.s-
" anaoae the sgnorars e1Aeses thai tie
knse6&Ane aAsnuAoh - cA ffn -