Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-11-08
REPORT SUBMITTED.
Philippine Commissioners Give a
Detailed Account of Affairs.

Detailed Account of Affairs.
Dewey, Schurman, Denby and Worcester
Say Our Only Course Ii to Hold the PHIL
ippines-Anarchy, the Mon Say,
Would Follow Abandonment.
Washi ngton, Nov. SIN accordance
with the understanding reached at the
conference at the white house Wednes-
day the Philippine commission yester-
day submitted to the president the pre-
liminary report which it had promised
to prepare. The report appears to be
campact summary of conditions on
the islands as the commission left them;
Of the historical events which preceded
the Spanish war and led to the original
Filipino inSurrection; of the exchanges
between Admiral Dewey and the other
American commanders and the insur-
gents; the breaking out and progress
of the present insurrection and, finally,
statement Of the capacity of the Fill
pinos for self government. A notable
feature of the report is memorandum
by Admiral Dewey explanatory of his
| relations with Aguinaldo.
The commission tells briefly how it
| conducted the task entrusted to it,
hearing statements from all classes Of
people in Manila as to the capabilities
of the Filipinos for self-government,
the habits and customs of the people
and also the establishment of munich
pal governments in many towns. All
this matter is to be included in the
final report. Turning to the history
| of the islands the commission attaches
little Importance to the divers rebel
lions which had preceded that of 1896.
AS to this movement they declare that
| it was in no sense an attempt to win
independence, but solely to obtain re-
lief from intolerable abuses. The re-
port then rapidly sketches events now
historical. 1t tells in substance how
| the Filipinos attacked the Spanish and
how Gen. Anderson arrived and Agui-
naldo, at his request, removed from
Cavite to Baccoor.
A brief chapter then tells of the lack
of success attending the effort made
at this time by Gen, Merritt through a
commission to arrive at a mutual under
standing with Aguinaldo as to the in
tentions, purposes and desires of the
Filipino people. This brings the story
up to the evening of February 4, with
the attack upon the American troops
following the action of the Nebraskan
sentinel. The commission, in con-
Guiding this chapter, says:
After the landing OF our troops Aguinaldo
made up his mind that it would be necessary to
| fight the Americans and utter the making OF
| f11
was strengthened He did not openly declare
that he intended to fight the Americans, but he
excited everybody and especially the military
| by claiming independence, and it is doubtful
| whether he had the power to check control
the army at the time hostilities broke out. De-
plorable as war Is, the one in which are
now engaged was unavoidable by US. We were
attacked by a bold adventurous and enthusias-
| tic army. No alternative was left to u.s. except
ignominiouS retreat 1t Is not to be conceived
| Of that any American would have sanctioned
| the surrender of Manila to the insurgents. Our
obligations to other nations and to the friendly
| Filipnos. and to ourselves and to our flag, de-
| nand that force should be met by force What
| ,ver the future Of the Philippines may be there
| IS no course open to us now except the prosecu-
| lion OF the war until the insurgents are re-
| duced to submission. The commission is of the
J opinion that there has been no time since the
destruction Of the Spanish squadron by Admiral
Dewey when it was possible to withdraw our
forces from the islands, either with honor to
/ ourselves or with safety to the inhabitants.
| The commission then takes up the
conditions of the country at the time
! of their arrival, comparing it with
the conditions existing at the time
they left short time ago. A vivid
picture is given of the anarchy existing
among the inhabitants in and about
Manila during the early spring. The
report then speaks of the issuance OF
the commissions proclamation and the
good effects it had on public sentiment.
The natives, accustomed to Spanish
promises, urged upon the commission
that acts instead of promises should be
given them. AS a result native law
courts were established and this great
| ly aided in the restoration of public
confidence. The flow of population
soon began to set toward the city,
Natives who had fled from their homes
| returned.
| The report concludes:
Our control means to the Inhabitants of thu
Philippines internal peace and order, guaran'
Tee against foreign aggression and against the
| iismemberment Of their country. Commercial
and industrial prosperity and as large q shar'
sf the affairs Of government as they shatkprov'
At to take. When peace and prosperity shall
lave been established throughout the archipel
| ago. when education shall have become general
hen. in the language OF q leading Filipino. hi
| ,eople will, under our guidance, "become NOR,
American than the Americans themselves
The report is signed by j. G. Schur
nan, George Dewey, Charles Denb,
and Dean C. Worcester.
Chrfstened by Mrs. Chamberlain.
Chatham, Eng, Nov. o.-The launch
ing Of the British first-class battleshiI
Venerable here to-day was accompa
nied by scenes of unusual enthusiasm
The christening was performed BY
Mrs. Joseph Chamberlain formerly
Miss Endicott, of Washingtonl wht
was accompanied by her husband, th'
British secretary Of state for the colo
nies. They received grand ovation.
Ex-Coneressman Burnes Dead.
st. Joseph, Mo-, Nov. 3.-Forme
Congressman Daniel ID. Burnes died a
his home in this city yesterday morning
He was son of the late Congressman
James n. Burnes, succeeding to hi
i fathers seat in the house of represent
atives in 1891.
4 A Flow of OIL Struck.