The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-03


sentiment. The natives. accustomed to
Spanish promises, urged the commits
sion that acts instead of promises
should be given them. AS result ma
tive law courts were established and
this greatly aided in the restoration of
public confidence. The flow of popula-
ton soon began to set toward the city.
Natives who had fed from their homes
returned.
Confined to Ta.alos.
As showing the limited scope of the
rebellion, the commission states:
We learned that the strong anti
American feeling was confined to the
Tagalos provinces, namely, Manila, Ca
vite, Laguna, Batangas, Bulucan, Nu-
eva Ecija, Principe, Infanta and Fam
bales. 1T was strongest in the first six
named and hardly existed in the last
three. The population of these pro-
vinces is estimated to be about l 500, 900,
but it should not be supposed that even
in the six provinces Immediately ada
cent to Manila the people We're united
In their opposition to us. Even here
there was a strong conservative ele-
ment. consisting of people of wealth
and Intelligence, opposed to the war"
AS to the state of affairs when the
commission left, the report says:
Before the commission left the Phil
ippines nearly all the inhabitants had
of the houses had been rebuilt. Fields
that had laid fallow for three years
We're green with growing crops. Nun.
icipal governments mad been estab-
lishe6 and the people were enjoying
peace, security and degree of partic-
ipation in their own government pre-
viousiy unknown in the history of The
Philippines. Attempts of the insurgents
to raise recruits and money in the pro-
vince of Bulucan wers proving abor-
tive, except when backed by bayonets
and bullets. and evens in such cases
the natives were applying to us for
help to resist them"
Municipa1 Government.
The chapter devoted to "EStablish-
ment of Municipal Government" gives
in detail the efforts in that direction
There were many difficulties encoun-
tered. The condition of the people
was found to be most pitiable They
had been plundered by the insursent
troops. who had robbed them of jew
els, money, clothing and even food,
SO that they We're literally starving.
Peaceful citizens had been fred ,:pon:
women had beer maltreated. There
was general satisfaction that the
Americans had come at last The
towns of Bacoor and linus were Sc
lected for the purpose of experiment.
and after talks with the local head
men" a local form of government was
established.
high before the commissioners took
their departure and cheers were raised
for General Lawton and for the coun-
try which he represented.
The commission states that large
amount of supervision over the af-
fairs of our new municipalities proved
necessary. as the officials were tlnlid
pl p1N IN hIot,l l,,i,, Il,
ties. %
Conditions Inprsoving.
The commission sums up the situa-
ton at the time Of their departure as
follows:
When we left Manila a large vol
ume Of business was being done and
the streets were crowded. The na-
tive population was quiet and order
ly and all fear Of an uprising rad
long since passed. An efficient corps
of native policemen was on duty. A
system of public schools in which En-
glieh was taught had been advacat-
ed by the commission and esta hlshed
by General Otis. Some 5000 scholars
were in attendance.
In the Tagalo province of Lu<on.
where the anti-American feeling Fad
greatly changed The Biools, in south
ern Luzon had risen against their Ia
gallo masters. The Macabbees were
clamoring for an opportunity to fight
in our ranks and native soldiers and
scouts were already serving under
General LaWton. Stories of the cor
ruption Of insurgent officers were grow
ing daily more common and the disin-
tegration OF the enemy's forces was
steadily progressing. The hope of as
sistance from outside sources seemed
to be all that held them together"
The Other Islands.
the island of Luzon. the commission
then takes in detail the conditions in
the other islands.
In this point it is stated that the re-
bellion is essentially TaEalo, and
when it ends in Luzon it must end
throughout the archipelago The sit
uation elsewhere than in Luzon is
summed us as follows:
1.-THE only island apart from Luzon
where serious trouble threatens is Pa
nay. to which a considerable force Of
Tagalc soldiers was sent before an
outbreak of hostilities. Many OF the
Visayans of this island are opposed
to the Tagalcs, however, and it is not
believed that the latter can make
formidable resistance. In Samara,
Leyte and Mardete, the Tagalo invad-
ers are numerically few. We were as
sured that 200 men would suffice to
restore order in Mindoro. Bobol was
asking for troops, the Calamianes ISL
anders had sent word that they would
welcome US. There can be no resist
ance in Plawan. Satisfactory rela-
tions had already been established
with the warllSe Moros, whose sui
tan had previously been conciliated
by a member of the commission. In
Cebu we have only to reckon with the
Tagalos element which has never been
very formidable there"
Ths Island of Negr,S.
Special attention is given to the isl
and Of Nsssos, as this seemed a field
we'll adapted to the extension of an
American system. Here the natives
had adopted local form OF govern
napt, Including a congress, and had
raised tho American flag. They be-
isved themselves capable of mana GIN,
their own affairs and asked for bat
talon of troops to hold in check d
band of fanatics The
was furnished but the people
proved unable to carry out their pro-
sramme, owing to i'll feeling among