The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-20

Special Dispatch TO the PoSt-lnteiugencer.
WHATCOM, Nov. 19.--Maj. j. j. Weis-
enburger today. while giving a large
amount Of valuable and interesting In
formation regarding the Philippines.
facts gathered I'm the course Of his own
observation, said:
'sThere is only one thing to do with the
Philippines. not only the island of I-uzon
but all the group: Retain American con-
troll of them and firmly establish Ameri-
can authority over every part OF the
vast region. II means the salvation of
the islands: law instead OF anarchy,
civilization instead of savagery. CONNER
ciai progress and development instead of
retrogression. Every fact relative 10 the
situation is an argument for American
control and supervision. and that with
strong just hand, at least fer the imme-
diate future.
THE Filipinos are not capable OF self
government. They must have a super
vlsing hand over them in all their gem
eTal affairs. especially in their relations
with the nations Of the world. for theirs
is q territory where the interests OF all
the great nations meet and ningie more
or less. II may be possible that I'm
time they can be allowed a large meas
ure Of local government and self-control
in municipal and neighborhood affairs.
but even that cannot be definitely stated
now. for the first efforts In this line win
be experimental, and results must be
closely watched and the future progress
and the details of the policy of dealing
with this race formulated according to
the facts that will bs furnished by their
own actions when allowed some leeway
in the direction OF self-government.
Character of the People.
he
hle. vain. initiative race. with little orig
inality and little or no faith or trust in
themselves as a people. In fact. they
are not q people. The immense and
widely separated territory OF the islands
is inhabited by a great many different
tribes. under different rulers. The Ia
gal tribe Is the only one that is making
war on Se United States, and they &C.
In the vicinity OF Manila.
There Is a fierce hatred between the
Tagaios and the ether tribes. The Ia
Galos are overbearing. domineering. In
soient ard extortionate. They are hated
and feared by the other peoples. There
was only one instance where another
tribe assisted them. That was when
about 209 igorrotes with bows and ar
rows. came up against "A Utah battery
and never found out what struck them.
with the Tagaios, owing to the arbitrari-
ness OF the latter. and are not assisting
In the least I'm Aguinaldos scheme TO
conquer the Americans and then run
government Of loot and piliage.
AT the beginning OF the war several
Macabebes. a very powerful interior
tribe. offered their services to the United
States army. but the offer was declined
Now. understand. they are being used
tufG a.St
as well educated as the Tagalos and are
very bitter against them.
Il believe ina. the war will he ended dur
ing the approaching dry season. TIE Phil
ippine climate Is peculiar in some respects.
saw Il rain over four feet in ten days In
July The wet season begins 70 end about
December l. Through December there are
rains but they are showers not the heavy
aownpours that are the rule all through
the we, season. During the summer
have seen, as a general rule and not the
exception the streets of the villages SO
deep in water that the people were padding
around IN canoes and swimming from one
side of the street % the other.
THE houses are huilt on sfn:s, % ohvi-
ate sefns Of the difficulty ~ shls general
food. The animals on the 1owlands have
&c retire 70 thu highlands. except The water
bufralo, half amphlh.ous OK. that can
swim cat a rlile or two with ease. dive
down like a duck ard coraa Up with a
bunch of grass in It's mouth
OTIS, Present Plan Good
The raInv season Is beglnnlng 20 eni
there new. and she troeps are getting fully
lvepared and into position ~ 10 effective
work during the latter part Bf December
and from the agst 81 the year. Abou, Jan.
uary ! active operations can he begun In
full hast. and froTn thai time on / ex-
recs 20 see the Philippine campaign begin
- erf before the season IS ever. The Stra-
teefc TsaVe - place AgginaiGo between
northern ard 4 southern force IS 4 good
ore and will have a crushing effect The
increase tn the ETgogys Is what we needed
all Ise way Through. We had enough
troops 20 hold CIR hne AMI garrison Ma
uila bait didn't have fierce enough fer an
active and aggressive campaign IN a ceaR-
Try alIei &c overfowlng wtth i.scuities.
"As soon "a the war is ended. a hseh
anticipate Will 20 dur1rg the Coming sea-
son. the interior tsti@s viii naturally faEi
under the sway of the Americans They
shey are assured that We !utenG to treat
them Justly. anticipate thar they wsIi Pc
our Grsn friends. and would a thousand
inx ever them than Aguiaal&o's ryraaaoss
raE
.-ln 81 saat vast empire ns.ieve Ire sr-
as saan @x theY Il seoys- taai st means pre-
tecfien tnosn Es9ntleF AID reign sf law
Even the Tagaios. seen as they un-
esgsssa1 the Situation. eacoss our Srosec-