The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1899-12-13

i out the islands and to secure with /
n least possible delay the benefits OF
5 wise and generous protection OF Ii
and property to the inhabitants"
, These gentlemen were DR.. Jacob
Schurman, president of Cornell VI
versity Hon. Charles Denby, for ma
) years minister to Chiua. and Pr,
DAan Worcester, OF the University
Michigan, who had made most car
full study Of life in the Philippine
While the treaty OF peace was und
consideration In the Senate these cor
missioners set out on their mission
: good will and liberation, Their cha
acter was sufficient guaranty of th
beneticient purpose iwilh which the
went, even II they had not borne th
positive Instructions of this govern
ment, which made their errand pre-
emlnently one OF peace and fricnC
ship.
But before their arrival ut Manil
the sinister sm bition OF few leader
OF the Filipinos had created situatlo
lull OF mbnrrassmeht for the Unite
States and most grievous in its conso
quences to themselves. The clear an,
Impartial preliminary report OF tn,
| missioners, which transmit here
with, gives 80 lucid and comprehei v,
history OF the present insurrec. .Jn
ary movement that the story need no,
be here repeated.
1T is not enough to say that the
claim OF the rebel leader that he was
promised independence by any off.
Ger In the United States in return for
his assistance has no foundation in fac,
and is categorically denied by the very
witnesses who were called to prove It,.
Inc most the insurgent leader hoped
Tor when he came to Manila was the
liberation OF the islands from the
Spanish control, which they had been
iaborlng for years without success to
throw Off.
Inc prompt accomplishment of this
work oy the American army and navy
gave him other ideas and ambitions,
and insidious suggestions from various
quarters perverted the purposes and
Intentions with which he had taken up
arms.
No sooner had our army captured
Manila than the Filipino forces began
TO assume an attitude OF suspicion and
hostility which the utmost efforts OF
our officers and troops were unable to
discern or modify. Their kindness and
1oroearance were taken rs proof OF
cowardlce. The aggressions of the
filipinos continually increased until
mail y, Just before the time set by the
Senate OF the United States for vote
upon the treaty, an attack, evidently
prepared In advance, was made all
along the American lines, which re.
sulted in q terribly destructive and
sanguinary repulse OF the insurgents
len days later an order OF the insur.
gent government was issued to its ad-
herents who had remained in Mantle
OF which General Otis Justly observes
that " for barbarOus intent 1t is un-
equalled In modern times" 1t directs
that at o'clock on the utght of Febru.
ary 18th, the territorial military shall
come together In the streets OF San
Pedro, armed with their bolos, with
guns and ammunition where convent.
ent, that Filipino families shall be
respected, but that all other individ-
uals, OF whatever race they may oe,
shall be exterminated without any
compassion, after the determination OF
The army OF occupation, and adds
BrOthcrs, we must avenge ourselves
On the Americans and exterminate,
lat we may take our revenge for the
lnfamles and treacherios committed
upon US. Have no compassion upon
Them attack them with vigor." a
copy OF this fell, by good fortune, into
The hands OF our officers and they were
abie to take measures to control the
Using which was actually Attempted on
,he night OF February %, week later
han was originally Contemplated.
A considerable number OF armed In
'urgents entered the city by waterways
md sMamps and In concert with con.
'ederates inside, attempted to destroy
Manila by fire. They were kept in
check during the night and tho next
lay driven out of tho city with heavy
oss. This was the unhappy condition
>f affairs which confronted our com.
nissioners on their arrival in Manila.
They had come with the hope and in
Iention OF cooperation with Admiral
Dewey and Major General Otis Ia es-
,ablishing peace and order In the ar
,hipelago, and the largest measure of
compatible with tho
rue welfare of the people. What they
found can be best set forth In
heir own words: "Deplorable as W:
Is, the ono In which we are now i
gagged was unavoidable by US. Wei
we're attacked by q bold, adventurous
End enthusiastic army. No alterna-
i've was left to us except ignominious
retreat:
:" 1t Is not to be conceived that any
American would have sanctioned the
surrender OF Manila to the insurgents.
Our obligations to otheI nations ard
the friendly Filipinos and to ourselves
and our flag demanded that force
should be mot by force. Whatever the
future OF the Philippines may be, there
ls no course open to us now except the
prosecution Of the war until the irsur-
gents are reduced to submission. The
commission Is OF the opinio that there
has been no time s,nce the destruction
Of the Spanish squadron by Admiral
Dewey when 1t was possible to With
draw our forces from the islanos, either
with honor to ourselves or with safety
to the inhabitants.
The course thus clearly indicated
las been unflinchingly pursued. The
rebellion must be put down. Civil gov.
ernment caanOt be thoroughly estab-
lished until ordered Is restored. With
q devotion and gallantry worthy OF its
most brilliant history, tho army ably
and loyalty assisted by tho navy, has
carried on this unwelcome but most
righteous campaign With richly de-
served success. The noble self-sacrifice
with which our soldiers ana sailors
whose terms OF service had expired, :,
refused to avail themselves OF their
right to return home as long as they
were needed at the front, forms one Of
the brightest pages In our annals
Although their operations have been
somewhat interrupted and checked by