The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1899-12-13

W oNO lLtlN PttiIN DECoCENCu
in Iloilo, he was admonished that; "It is
most important that there should be no
conflict with the insurgents" On Janu-
AIRY l, 1899 urgent orders were reiterated
that the kindly intentions of this govern
ment should be in every possible way COM
municated to the insurgents.
Here follows an account of the dispatch
ing of the Philippine commission, inten-
tion OF which was announced January 2l.
Schurman, DENLY and Worcester, who
were TO cooperate with Dewey and Otis.
The president said in part;
Their character was a sufficient guar
anty of the benevolent purpose with
which they went, even if they had not
borne the positive instructions of this gov
erument, which made their errand pre-
emincntIy one of peace and friendship"
But before their arrival at Manila the
sinister ambition of Il few leaders OF the
FilipinOs had created a situation full of
embarrassment for us and most grieviOus
in its consequences to themselves. The
clear and impartial preliminary report Of
the mmisSioners, which transmit here
with, gives SO lucid and comprehensive a
history CT the present insurrectionary
movement that the story need not be here
repeated Ii is enough to say that the
claim of the rebel leader that he was prom
ised Independence by any officer of the
United States i'll return for his assistance
has no foundation in fact and is categori-
cally denied by the very witnesses who
were called u prove 1t. The most the in
surgCnt leader hoped for when he came
back to Manila was the liberation of the
islands from the Spanish control, which
they had been laboring for years without
success to throw off.
The prompt accomplishment Of this
work by the American army and navy
gave him other ideas and ambitions, and
insidiOus suggestions from various quar-
ters perverted the purposes and intentions
with which he had taken up arms. No
sooner had our army captured Manila
than the Filipino forces began to assume
an attitude of suspicion and hostility
which the utmost efforts of our officers
and troops were unable to disarm or mod
ify. Their kindness and fOrbearance were
taken as u proof of cowardice. The aggres-
siOns of the tilipinOs continually in
creased until finally, Just before the time
set by the senate OF the United States for
u vote upon tae treaty, an attack, evil
IDENTIFY prepared in advance, was made all
along tEe American lines, which resulted
in Il terribly destructive and sanguinary
repulse OF the insurgents.
Then follows an account of the proposed
massacre by the rebels in Manila, which
was prevented by our troops, the justi1i-
cation of Uur cause by the Philippines
commission, praise for the volunteers who
stayed beyond the time of their enlist
ment, referring to the local government
in the island OF Negros, which, the presi-
dent says, is not permanent, as II is within
the jurisdiction of congress to arrange the
form of goyt rnment. The government
actually set up By the inhabitants of Ne
grOs eventually proved unsatisfactory to
rho tunInSalXn.
was put into forccc by order of the major
general commanding the department, of
which the following arc the most import
ant elements:
Government of NegrOs.
1t was ordered that the government of
the island of Negros should consist of u
military governor, appointed by the United
States military governor of the Philip
pines, and II evil governor and an ad-
visory council, elected by the people. The
military governor was authorized to ap-
point secretaries of the treasury interior.
agriculture. public instruction, an attor-
ney general and an auditor. The seat of
government was fixed as BacolOd. The
military governor exercises the supreme
executive power. He is to see that the
laws are executed, appoint to Office and
fill all vacancies in office not otherwise
provided for, and may, with the approval
of the military governor of the Philip
pines, remove any officer from office. The
civil governor advises the military gov
ernor on all public civil questions and
prcsides over the advisory council. He,
in general, performs the duties which are
performed by secretaries of state in our
own system of government.
The advisory council consists of eight
members elected by the people within ter
ritorial limits which are defined in the
order of the commanding general.
The times and place of holding clec-
tions are to he fixed by the military gov
ernor of the island of Negros. The quail
flcations of voters are as follows:
U) A voter must be male citizen of
the island of Ncgros.
(2) OF the age of 81 years.
(3) He shall be able to speak, read and
write the English, Spanish or Vizayan
language, or he must own real property
worth 500, or pay rental on real prop
erty of the value Of Sl,00O.
a. He must have resided in the island
not less than one year preceding, and in
the district in which he offers to register
as u voter, not less than three months I'M
mediatcly preceding the time he offers to
register.
(5) He must register at time fixed by
law before voting.
(6) Prior To such registration he shall
have paid all taxes due by him to the
government. Provided, that no insane
person shall be allowed TO register or vote
The military governor has the right to
veto all bill, or resolutions adopted by the
advisory council, and his veto is nyal If
not dlsapproycd by the military governor
of the Philippines.
The advisory council discharges all the
ordinary duties of "a Legislature. The us
ual duties pertaining to said offices are to
be performed by the secretaries OF the
treasury, interior, agriculture, public in
structiOn, the attorney general and the
auditor.
The judicial power is vested in three
judges, who are to be appointed by the
military governor of the island. Inferior
courts are TO bc established.
Free public schools are to be established
throughout the pOpulous districts of the
island, in which tine English language
shall be taught, and this subject will re-
ceive the ca.eful consideration of the adj
visOry council.
The burden Of government must be
distributed equally and equitably among
the people The military authorities viii
collect and receive the customs revenue,
and will control postal matters and Phil
ippine intcrisland trade and commerce.
Inc military governor, subject 10 the
approval Of the military governor Of the
Philippines, determines ali questions not
specifically provided for and which do not
come under the jurisdiction of the adyis-
ory council.
Agreement with the sultan of sulu.
The authorities Of the Sulu islands have
accepted the succession ~ tho United
states tu tl.r rights "i -psln. and nur Rag
lott. over ,hu TERRITORY. On the iutu "i
August. 1888 Bngi,lirr Grnrpu i. g..
Bate. United states volunteers. urgu.
tiatcu an agreement with The .ullau .tuu