Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-11-07
AUTONOMY IN HEGROS
First of Uncle Sans Governments
Established in the Phil.
ippines.
NATIVES INDUoFBD INTO OFFICE

Three Days' Celebration Follows, the First
Day Ending With Ball which is as
brilliant a Similar Affair Anywhere
Old Glory Flying All Over the Capital OF
the Island-some Irreconcilables Back
in the Woods.
Manila. Nov. g. 11:10 p. NAT Ba-
cOlOd, in the Island of NegroS. the first
autonomous government of the Fill
pinoS was established yesterday. Cen
eral Smith. governor of the Island of
Negros. administered the oath of office
to the judge of the supreme court,
who in turn Swore in the governor,
three judges. twelve councilmen, the
auditor and the secretary of the in
terror. The natives of the entire island
attended the ceremony. The officers
from Iloilo were also present. Three
days feaSting will follow in celebra-
tion of the new government and the
first anniversary of the surrender of
the SpaniardS to the NegroS revolu-
tionists. Today's proceedings ended
with Il ball in the government house.
American flags are displayed in the vii
lage. The celebration consists of horse
racing and other sports. music, re-
ligiOus functions and an illumination.
The ball tonight attracted the wives of
the wealthy planters. and there was as
great display of rich costumes and
costly jewels as would be seen at Il
similar affair in America or Europe.
No Scarcity of Candidates.
Elections We're held Oct. >. the num-
Der of votes cast being 5,24S. There
We're forty candidates for the various
offices. Melecio Reverino was elected
governor. receiving 1.305 votes Senor
Gaime received 1.211 votes. Suffrage
was determined by property qualifica-
tiOn and ability TO read and write. Col
Onel Miner welcome the officials on be-
half 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 freedoms flag"
General Smith. during a speech, said:
Your future promises as brightly as
Japan's. who today is recognized as
among the civilized nations of the
world"
Wants Close Relations with Us.
Senor SeverinO, in replying, said that
the best thing for the future of Negros
was the continuance of close relations
with the United States. General Smith
then announced the granting of free
dom to the political prisoners in COM
memoration of the event General
Hughes, in command at I1oilo rendered
congratulatory speech over the east
ern cable from that place. General
Smith, in an interview remarked that
it was of the utmost Importance that
the FilipinOs should be taught to recog-
niZe the sovereignty of the United
States. The gravest danger" he add
ed. threatening peaceful administra-
tion is intrigue among the insular
politicians" and he declared that the
United States government must for |
years keep control of the Filipinos in |
order to prevent such conditions from
existing.
Troops Having a Hard Time.
The members of the Sixth infantry,
which is divided into thirty garrisons
throughout the Island of Negros. are |
undergoing great hardships A re-
Gently organized revolutionary move !
ment has been discovered in northern |
Negros. and the leaders have been
forced to withdraw to Panay. \ num- |
Der of bandits under the leadership |
of Papa IsiO. religious charlatan,
have been driven into the mountains.
but it is expected that they will give |
more trouble y force of 80 native |
soldiers. armed with Springfield rifles, |
is helping the Americans and the ma
tives are found to be valuable as |
scouts.
Rain Stops Gen. Lawton.
General Lawtons operations have |
been temporarily suspended owing to |
heavy rains. The country around Ca
banatuan is flooded. The river how |
ever, has begun falling rapidly and |
probably the country in that section |
will soon resume its normal condition. |