Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-11-20

the fact that it was absolutely beyond
the power of any American to so bind
their government. and quoted the early
letters and proclamations of Aguinal-
do after his return to the Philippines
as containing absolutely no reference
to any such promise when, if ever, ne
could have used it to great advantage.
He also showed that there was abso-
lutely no cooperation at any time be-
tween the insurgents and Americans in
the Philippines. They simply fought
common foe. each in their own way.
Prof. Worcester did not hesitate to
fix the responsibility for the present
said that the commission had abun-
dant evidence that a dispatch had
been sent by Aguinaldo's emissares
in Washington before the first out
break of hostilities urging an imme-
diate attack upon the American forces,
and careful plans had been made to
follow out this advice
Signals by means of colored rockets
had been agreed upon. Various Fill
pinos testified before US that these
signals were promptly shown after the
firing began on the night Of February
them from the bay"
Prof Worcester showed very clearly
by a convincing array of facts, that
the United States did infinitely more
than Aguinaldo's army toward driving
out and destroying Spanish power in
the Philippine islands. IF our claim to
sovereignty was shadowy what shall
we say as to the claim of tribe repre-
senting less than one-siXth of the
population of the islands and exercis-
ing jurisdiction over but a small part
of the total territory? When Spain
ceded to us her sovereignty in the
archipelago. she had already lost
through us, directly or Indirectly
practically all that she no longer
possessed herself
1t is. however. to that portion Of
Professor WOrcester'S address which
deals with the government set up by
Aguinaldo that we desire to call the
special attention Of our readers.
1t is shown to have been from the
start a mere dictatorship. The fact is
very clearly brought out that Malolos
congress was never. in any sense OF
the term, representative body
Its strongest members" says Pro
fessor Worcester, deserted Aguinaldo
and came over to us when we decided
on war. The central government aside.
what did the Tagalos accomplish in an
administrative way. in their own
provinces, and what in those they sue
ceeded in dominating? In this con-
nection some one has said: 1 chal-
lenge the imperialists to show me any
instance of bloody disturbances or
other saVagery among themselves suf-
ficient to create any necessity of our
armed interference to restore order or
to save them from anarchy
Now. while | do not desire to lay
claim to the title 'imperialist, l will
accept that challenge. At the time |
| left Manila the province of Batagas
, was overrun with thieves and mur-
dcrers. No attempt was being made
to enforce law and order. The public
schools We're abandoned. Forced con-
| tributions had been wrung from the
people at the bayonet point until many
| of them We're ruined. Unwilling con-
| tributOrs had been punished by having
their hands hacked off. and even by
being buried alive. The individual
| houses in such important towns as
| Taal We're intrenched in order that the
| inha bitants might defend themselves
against their very neighbors. The mill
| tary governor of the province, although
| a Tagalo and an insurgent, character
lied the condition existing as complete
| anarchy and had repeatedly sent in
| secret to Manila asking for aid to re-
store order, and promising surrender
! with his troops if we would only dis
patch a small force to the province.
1T can be claimed that conditions in
| Batangas We're due to outside inter
ference Except for a couple of pris-
oners, no American soldier had ever set
foot there. and the people had enjoyed
a full measure of independence for
more than a year. In Cavite Province
just south of Manila. the insurgent
troops had robbed the inhabitants OF
the principal towns and had commit
ted numerous assaults on women. one
of their generals had established a
regular seraglio and had fatty refused
to obey the orders of his superior officer
The natives of the province We're call
ing the inSurgent troops by the name
commonly applied to the mythical be-
ing popularly supposed to breed tho
cholera. Men We're constantly coming
in from the important towns begging
us to advance our lines, drive out the
insurgents and give them protection
| have chosen these two provinces be-
cause | personally received. almost
daily reports of conditions there and
know whereof | speak.
In southern LuZon the Bicols had
risen against the Tagalos at several
points. and We're asking us for help