The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1899-12-05

good will and liberation. Their char.
acter was sufficient guaranty of the
beneicient purpose with which they
went, even il they had not borne the
positive instructions Of this government
which made their errand Prominently
one of peace and friendship. But before
their arrival at Manila the sinister am
bition of few leaders Of the Filipnos
had created situation full of embar-
easements for us and most erievous in
its consequences to themselves.
Their Report.
The clear and impartial preliminary
report of the commissioners which /
transmit herewith, gives so lucid AMI
comprehensive a history Of 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 vas promised independence by
any officer OF the L. s. in return for his
assistance has no foundation and is cata-
gorically denied by the very witnesses
who were called to prove il. The most
the insurgent 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 quarters per.
verted the purposes and intentions with
which he had taken up arms. No
sooner had our army captured Manila
than the Filipinos forces began to as
sumo an attitude OF suspicion and,hostil-
ity which the utmost efforts Of our oilic.
ers and troops were unable 10 dsarm or
modify. Their kindness and forbear.
ance was taken as a proof OF cowardice.
The aggression of the Flipinos contn-
ually increased until finally Just before
the time set for the senate of the L. S.
to vote upon the treaty an attack, evil
IDENTIFY prepared in advance, was made
all along the American lines which re-
suited in a terribly destructive and san
culinary repulse OF the insurgents.
A Barbarous Order.
Ten days laser an order of the insur.
u.nt oovarnpnaut ,,.aa isa,al - "a. u
herents who had remained in Manila Of
which General Otis Justly observes that
"for barbarous intent Il is unequalled
In modern times" IL directs that at 8
o'clock on the night Of the 9Th Of Feb
ruary, the territorial militia shall come
together on the streets of San Pedro,
armed with their Bolos, with guns and
ammunition where convenient that Fill
pino families only shall bo respected;
but that all other individuals OF what.
ever race they may be shall be extermi-
mated without any compassion, after the
determination OF the army Of occupation,
aud adds: brothers we must avenge
ourselves on the Americans and EXTERN.
mate them that we may take our TO
ycnge for the infamies and treacheries
which they have committed upon us.
Have no compassion upon them attack
with yigor"
The Uprising Quellsd.
A copy OF this fell, by good fortune,
into the hands OF our officers and they
were able 10 take measures 10 control
the rising, which was actually attempted
ON the night Of February 22, a week
later than was originally contemplated.
A considerable number Of armed insur-
gents entered the city 10y waterways and
swamps and, in concert with confeder-
ates inside. attempted 10 destroy Manila
by fire. They were kept in check during
the night and the next day driven ont
Of the city with heavy loss.
Could Not Surrender Msnila.
This Was the unhappy condition Of
affairs which confronted our commits.
sioners on their arrival in Manila. They
had come with the hope and intention
Of cooperation with Admiral Dewey and
Major-General Otis in establishing
peace and order Ia the archipelago, and
the largest measure OF seli-goyernmenl
with the true welfare of the
people. What they actually found can
best be- set forth in their own words
" "Deplorable as war il, the one in which
We are now engaged Was unavoidable by
us. We were attacked by bold, adven-
tuTus and enthusiastic army. No alter
native was left 10 us except ignominous
retreat. II IL not 10 be conceived Of that
any American would have sanctioned
the surrender Of Manila 10 the insnr-
gents. Our obligations 70 other nations
and 10 the friendly Filipinos aud 10
and our flag demanded that
force should BE- met by force. Whatever
the iutare Of the Philippines may h.,
there is no course open 10 us n0N except
the prosecution oi the war until the in
surgents are reduced 10 submission. The
l. ii the opinion that there |