New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-18
rHE FIGHTING IN LUZON.
OBSERVATIONS OF A FRENCH NEWS
PAPER MAN.
-.,-rpvIEws WITH GENERAL OTIS. AD-
MIRAI, DEWEY. MR.. sCHURMAN
AND FILIPINO LEADERS.

-. rrrot a prominent French newspaper man
:. .,sc,al correspondent OF "L'Eclair' and OF lie
sn.as Illustre" and chief editor Of La Petite
S'".,,,oue" and La Lanterne." recently returned
- me Philippine Islands by way of Vancouver.
IT, and sailed for France yesterday in order to
- the result OF his mission to his papers. Be-
W calling he was asked 10 furnish The Asso-
80 Press with the impressions he had formed
-. philippine Islands. and he did so in the fol-
,vtng terms:
ayou have been kind enough 10 ask for my opin-
49, ~ the Philippine situation. / have just passed
vsral weeks in the islands, and will speak frank
: =, the subject. During your with Spain l
s.,lv and frequently proclaimed my sympathy for
~ American cause. Let this be borne in mind II
crs,icse matters. as my criticism will be solely
,sn,red by my desire to respect the truth every
where ana always
,.rs with General Otis Admiral Dewey and
,-ss,dent Schurman OF the Philippine Commission
:. we'll as with some Filipino leaders / will then
i've YOU my personal opinion. formed the result
:, what have seen. observed and heard during
NV stay in the Philippine Islands.
we first visit. quite naturally TO General
o.s from whom had to request authorization to
- through the American lines. was cordially
race,yed by the General. and l asked him II he
xss satisfied with his campaign and If he hoped
,,on,ntly 10 terminate II.
yes he answered. I am satisfied with the re-
spts achieved. and from this time on hope TO ac-
complish in the quickest manner possible the pa
,riotic task cOnfjed TO by my Government.
rnhappiy I cannot deny that II will take long
time This is the season of rains. and the be-
comes every day more dangerous and more fatal
than the rifles Of the Filipinos. Besides 1t is my
Intention 10 push my troops a little further for
ward. and sfterward 10 make them wait for a
more favorable period. During this time Of en-
forced repose feet will be able to continue the
ppsrations along the coast.
q thanked General Otis for his gracious recep-
t., and FASTENED TO ask President Schurman for
more ample Information. Mr.. Schurman, I am
bsppy TO have the occasion of saying T. a very re-
uarkabe man. of high Intelligence and of profound
enuiidon. Nobody could be more worthy OF the
Mission which has been intrusted to him. Unhap-
ply believe he is powerless TO obtain satisfactory
results Later on will tell you why
Why l said 10 him. has not America estab-
lshed in the Philippines the protectorate system.
Ike that which France has installed in Tunis and
AMMAN? 1t is In substance q disguised annexation
and would give you absolute satisfaction. At the
same time this solution would safeguard the pride
et the Filipinos who favor autonomy.
PROTECToRATE IMPOSSIBLE.
1T is impossible replied Mr.. Schurman. and
will tell you the why. At Tunis there is a
Bey and IN AMMAN an Emperor, and your pro-
tectorate is exercised stable government.
Here there is nothing Of the kind. We in the
presence Of regular anarchy. and you cannot estab
lsh protectorate over government which does
not exist
But asked. IN default OF a protectorate
will you accord 10 the Filipinos the regime
as exists between Canada and Great Britain-that
!. 10 say a sort Of autonomy with the recognition
o, American sovereignty?
Yes answered Mr.. Schurman. after a mo-
nent's reflection. 4 do not see so far as am
concerned. any objection 10 the establishment OF
such a system Besides. 1t is outlined in the last
yrclamation which addressed 10 the Fflpinos.
II the first place insist that the sovereignty OF
tbs United States be accepted and recognized On
that point the American people will never give
vav But after that we are quite disposed toward
an understanding with the Inhabitants OF these
Islands over which our flag floats
Then Mr. Schurman put some questions to me.
He notably asked me why public opinion in France
appeared 10 be somewhat hostile toward the United
States. This hostility. exclaimed. is in no way
general. 1t is evident that the reactionaries and
,bs Clericals OF France would feel more syrnpa-
thetc toward Spain. monarchical and Catholic But
we republicans have not ceased to hope for your
triumph. Only at the present time. we rear 10 see
American democracy dragged into the wanderings
OF tngoism and OF extreme militarism and we see
there new danger for universal peace
"Mr Schurman then said with great deal OF
Armness: You are wrong TO be alarmed The
United States is too much attached 10 liberty 10
become a military Nation In the special sense which
YOU attach 10 the term in France. The people
would never tolerate II. OF this you can be as
sured'
After this comforting assurance left Mr. schur-
man I, remained for me TO Admiral Dewey. /
had a very great desire to know the man VINO en-
Joys such popularity in America and whose auoa-
clous action at Cavite has been very much ADMIRED
IN France The Admiral received me on board the
Olympia and lost no time in complmenting him
on the victory which he had won. Very modestly
the Admiral replied that the greater part OF the
cred; was due TO his sailors. who had behaved so
calamity and TO his officers, who had seconded him
20 well
THE ADMIRAL'S VIEWS.
"And now Admiral said. what do you think
Of the situatonT
In the first place he answered. I have great
hope in the success OF the conferences whlch MT
schurman has nearly every day with the Filipino
delegates And. in any case. Aguinaldo VIII De
obliged 10 submit sooner or later He has around
him too many generals and too few soldiers TO re-
sist US
But replied should 1t not be recognized that
the insurgents fight admirably?
Certainly. yes answered the Admiral ana
render them full justice on that point. They hght
well but they are children, incapable OF miltary
tactics
AT the same time suggested. I think you
ought TO recognize that on land they conducted the
campaign against the Spaniards very well.
That Is true said the Admiral. But since you
have touched on the subject. snail oe oohgeo 70
you II you repeat the following statement IN
France
"'Aguinaldo during the war with Spain. was not
Our any as has been claimed. We never mace
treaty Of alliance with him and we never promised
aim anything. We had a common enemy lie acted
o. his SIDE ana we on ours. There has been no
oher understanding a
AS was not wiling 70 take too much OF the 40
ufafs time retired, having duly noted ms cate-
soIlea declaration Then. having mus nar.on
Agntenec upon the sentiments OF the hish peiso,n
ages On the American side II remained 10 me ~
ascertain the views of the Filipino leaders. .,
One evening i visited Florentino Iories -pIest
cent OF the Philippine Committee or Mania %
was MAGISTRATE under Spanish rule, ana Is IL
very Intelligent man He said: - 49,. 4, n
The position OF the Philippine committee 10 "a
very difficult one We are doing what We can 10
Ming about pacihcaton. But when we snat a ha,e
found a solution Of the question with MT ochuI-
man Il will pe necessary to cause Aguinado 10 ac-