The Portland daily press., 1899-07-03
NATIVES TRACTABLE.
Prof. Schurman Tours
Southern Islands.
Thinks All Can Be Won Over BY
Diplomacy
After Aguinaldo Has
Been Defeated.
Has Rained Continuously, Nine
Days in Manila.

Schurman OF the United states auvlsory
commission from the Philippines, re-
turned to Manila today from three
weeks tour of tie Southern islands. Ie
takes an entirely hopeful view Of the
general conditions there. The intelligent
and substantial citizens desire an Ameri-
can protectorate. The masses are await.
ing the settlement Of the war in the ISL
and Of Luzon before declaring them
selves. They are chiefly anxious to be
undisturbsd. The President Of the town
of Santo Nicolas. In the island. OF Cebu,
said to Mr.. Schurman:
1--WE want peace, food and prosperity.
We do not wish TO tight We would be
neutral"
The president Of the commission shinks
that this declaration fairly expresses the
sentiment in the Southern islands Of the
archipelago. Many of the towns there
are in the hands of small bands of Taga-
los. and the people fear to endorse Ameri-
can rule, until they are. certain that
Aguinaldo must be beaten. Let them
once be convinced o. this and the alle-'
glance of the Southern islands. Mr.. .Schur-
man thinks, can be secured by diplomacy.
The United States gunboat Bennington
took Mr.. SchurInan to Mindanao, and
the islands of the Suiu and Viscayan
groups. He travelled through the island
of Negros with Col. Smith and party
of natives.
In several of the principal towns he was
rendered banquets and he had an hours
conference. with the young sultan of
Sulu, who received him in the royal audi
ence chamber, surrounded by a body.
guard of stalwart, fierce looking Moros-
MIR. Schnrman told the sultan that the
United States had acquired the sovereign
ty of the Philippines from Spain, but
had no wish to subjugate the population
nor to interfere with their customs or re-
ligion. On the contrary, the great desire
OF the American government was to help
the people of the islands to develop their
country. The Sultan replied that he
earnestly desired peace and was anxious
to continue the existing treaties.
On the return voyage the president Of
the commission visited the town of
Born go, capital of North Bornso, where
ne was ooraiai'y fsosisea " 'he nriusn
oinoiAis, VINO anorti1u niln every iacilty
the customs of the people. The popuIa-
tion, he .found much like that Of the
Southern Philippine islands. The gov
ernment is at present In a rather .elsmen-
tary state. but q more complete organiza-
'ion Is peins asseiopeo as rapiuiy as Is
pfaceioapie' Yesterday ten. Lawton and
rrot' worcester OF sne commission visited
lhe principai towns IN sna province OF
oAsl'e ous ol "nloh 'ne natives were re-
oeh.iy ur'sen' Ineir cnlei purpose was
" u'r"'' 'ne uieo'ions Vi sns presloents
oi iinuN, nacoor' Faranaque ana Las
rinaS' onuer 'ne muhicipai system thus
.naus uia'eu 'ne p1eAiaen's or 'ns mayors
" 'ne so"ns are empowered 10 appoint
i'no1 olnoiaAs anu w ie's saAss' whicn
alo " 70 Apenu'u 'o's'y 'n puDiio I'm
Before acting, Gen. Lawton and Mr..
Worcester had consul ited with the leading
men In each town. and selected candidates
whose honesty and friendliness to Ameri-
can rule were beyond question. Wherever
they went the Americans were heartily
cheered BY the people. Tomorrow the
public schools In Manila will open and
y Is expected that there viii be 5000 chill
dfen In attendance. The teachers include
Americans, Spaniards and Filipinos.
one OF the Instructors is the widow Of
the Filipino patriot, DR.. Rizal, who pre-