Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-11-07
NEGROS LEADS.
Has Honor of the First Au-
t0nomous Government.
The New Officers Installed at BacoIo
With Much Ceremony.
Three Days Teasing Natives Very FRIEND
y TO The Americans.

\ MAMMA, NOV. 6.-ll.l5 +. MAI BacOlO
In the island of Negroes the first auton-
omous government Of the Filipinos was
established, today. General Smith.
governor Of the island OF Negroes, adj
ministered the oath of Office to the
judge Of the supreme court, who in
| turn swore in the governor, three
judges, IL councilmen, the auditor and
the secretary Of the interior. The ma
| tives of the entire island attended the
ceremony. The officers from Iioilo were
also present.
There have been three days feasting
| in celebration of the new government
and the first anniversary Of the sur
render of the Spaniards to the Negros
revolutionists, ended with a ball in the
government house. tonight. American
| flags are displayed in the village. The
| celebration consisted Of horse racing
and other sports, music, religious
functions and an illumination. The
ball attracted the wives Of the wealthy
planters and there was a great dis
ploy Of rich costumes and and costly
jewels as would be seen at similar
affair in America or Europe.
Elections were held, Oct. 2, the num-
Der of votes cast being 5248. There
were 40 candidates for the various Of
fees. Senior Melecio Severina was
elected governor, receiving 1905 votes.
Senior Jaime received 1877 votes. Suf-
frage was determined by property
qualification and ability to read and
write.
Col Minor welcomed the officials on
behalf of the United States. In the
course of his remarks he said: "Negros
leads in the van of civil government
in the Philippines. Your honor lies in
adding a new star to freedom for the
flag" Gen. Smith, during a speech
which he delivered. said: your fu-
ture promises as brightly as Japan.
who, today. is recognized as among
the civilized nations Of the world"
Senior Severino. in replying. said that
the best thing for the future Of Negroes
was the continuance Of close relations
with the United States.
Gen. Smith then announced the grant,
ing of freedom to the political prison.
ers in commemoration OF the event.
Gen. Hughes. in command at IIoIlo.
telephoned a congratulatory speech
over the eastern cable from that place.
Gen. Smith. in an interview. remark
ed that 1t was Of the utmost impor-
lance that the Filipinos should be
taught to recognize the sovereignty OF
the United States. The gravest dan
ger. he said, threatening a peaceful
administration was intrigue among the
insular politicians and he declared
that the United States government
would for years keep control Of the
Filipinos in order to prevent such con-
ditions from existing.
The members of the 9Th Infantry.
which is divided into 30 garrisons
throughout the island Of Negroes. are
undergoing great hardships.
A recently organized revolutionary
movement has been discovered In
northern Negroes and the leaders have
been forced to withdraw to Panay. A
number of bandits. under the leader
ship of Papa Issio. religious charla-
tan, have been driven into the noun
tains, but it is expected that they will
give more trouble. A force Of $50 ma
tive soldiers armed with Springfield
rifles are helping the Americans and
are found to be valuable as scouts.
Gen. Lawton's operations have been
suspended owing to heavy
rains. The country around Cabana,
tonight, is flooded The river, how
ever. has begun falling rapidly and
probably the country in that section
will soon resume it's normal condition.
Magalanga, the town taken, yester-
day. by two columns Of General Mac
Arthur's division. under Col. Smith and
Major O'Brien, is a strong position.
midway between Angeles and
Arayat. The movement Is part OF q
plan for the Americans to possess all
the country to the southeast Of Tarlac.
as the troops close in on the capital.
cutting the line of the enemy's retreat
in that direction. The insurgent forces
are estimated at 1000.
Col. Smith first encountered small
force entrenched quarter Of a mile
beyond Angeles, which soon retreated,
eaving two of their number dead. The
enemy made a short stand at the out
skirts of Darios and San Francisco,
,riskly shooting at the advance guard
II the Americans.
Captain Brush deployed with the adj
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