The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1899-12-08


witnesses who were called 10 prove II. |
The most the insurgent leader hoped for |
when he came back to Manila was the
liberation of the Islands from the Spanish
control, which they had been laborlng lot
years, without success, to throw on.
Outbreak of the Insurrection,
The prompt accomplishment OF this
work by the American army and navy
gave him other ideas and ambitions, and
suggestions from various quar-
ters 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 whicn
the utmost efforts OF our otfcers ana
troops were unable to disarm or modity
Their kindness and forbearance was taken
az proof OF cowardlce. The aggression
of tho Fillpinos continually increased, un-
I'll, finally. Just before the time set for the
senate of the United States to vote upon
the treaty, an attack, evidently prepared
in advance, was made all along the
American lines, which resulted In terri
bly, destructive and sangulnary repulsc OF
the insurgents.
Ten days later an order Of the insurgent
government was issued to its adherents
who had remained In Manila, OF whlen
General Otis Justly observes that Tor
barbarous intent Il Is unequaled In mod
ern times" It directs that at o'clock
on the night OF the 14th of February the
territorial militia shall come together In
the streets OF San Pedro, armed with
their bolos, with guns and ammunition
where convenient; that Filipino families
only shall be respected that all other
individuals. of whatever race they may
be, shall be exterminated without any
compassion, after the determination OF
the army of occupation, and ADDS
brothers, we must avenge ourselves on
the Americans and exterminate them
that we may take our revenge Tor the
infamles and treacheries which they have
committed upon us. Have no compassion
upon them; attack with vigor.'
A copy OF this fell by good fortune,
into the hands OF our officers. and they
were able to take measures to control the
rising. which was actually attempted on
the night OF February %, a week later
than was originally contemplated. A con-
siderable number Of armed insurgents en-
tered the city by waterways and swamps,
and in concert with confederates inside,
attempted to destroy Manila by fire. They
were kept In check during the night, and
the next day driven out OF the city, with
heavy loss.
what the Commission Found.
This was the unhappy condition of af-
fairs which confronted our commissioners
on their arrival in Manila. They had
come with the hope and intention of CO.
operation with Admiral Dewey and Ma,
jor-General Otis In establishing peace and
order in the archipelago and the largest
measure of self-government compatible
with the true welfare of the people. What
they actually found can best be set forth
in their own words.
"Deplorable as war is, the one In which
we are now engaged was unavoidable by
u.s. We were attacked by bold adven-
turous and enthusiastic army. No alter
native was left u.s. except ignomlnlous
retreat. II 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 Fiipinos and to ourselves and
| our flag demanded that force should be
met with force. Whatever the future of
the Philippines may be. there is no course
open to us now except the prosecution OF
the war until the insurgents are reduced
| to submission. The commission is of the
| opinion that there has been no time since
| the destruction OF the Spanish squadron
| by Admiral Dewey when II was possible
to withdraw our forces from the Islands
either with honor to ourselves or with
safety to the inhabitants"
The course thus clearly indicated has
been unfinchingly pursued. The rebel
| lion must be put down. Civil government
cannot be thoroughly established until
| order is restored. With a devotion and
gallantry worthy of its most brilliant
| history, the army ably and Loyalty as
| fcf hut ha hoe oar cd an I'm
welcome but most righteous campaign
with richly deserved success. The noble
self-sacrifice with which our soldiers and
| sailors, whose terms of service had ex.
| pired refused to avail themselves OF theiI
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 in
terrupted and checked by a rainy seasor
of unusual violence and duration, they
have gained ground steadily in every di
rection. and now look forward confidently
to a speedy completion of their task
The unfavorabe circumstances con
nected with an active campaign have no
been permitted to interfere with tn
equally important work of reconstruc
ton. Again I invite your attention to tn
| report of the commissioners for the inter
esting and encouraging details of tn
work already accomplished in the es
tablishment of peace and order and tn
Inauguration Of self-governing municipa
life In many portions of the archipelago
Civil Government in NegrOa.
A notable beginning has been made Fl
the establishment of government +
the island Of Negros, which is deserving
of special consideration. This was tn
first island to accept American sovereign
fxy Tfa nm 1x laf fn1a
allegiance to the United States, an
adopted a constitution looking to the es
tablishment Of a popular government.
was impossible to guarantee to the pee
pie of Negros that the constitution S
adopted should be the ultimate form c
government. Such a question, under tn
treaty with Spain and In accordance Wit
our own constitution and laws, came eX
cluslvely under the jurisdiction Of cor
gress. The government actually set u
! by the inhabitants of Negros eventual
proved unsatisfactory to the natives then
selves. A new system was put into fore
by order of the major-general command
ing the department, of which the 70
lowing are the most important elements
1t was ordered that the government {
the island of Negros should consist of
military governor, appointed by III
United States military governor of tn
Philippines, and a civil governor and a
advisory council elected by the people. Tt
military governor was authorized to al
point secretaries of the treasury, interio
agriculture, public instruction, an alto
ney-general and an auditor. The seat {
government was fixed at Bacolor. TT
military governor exercises the supren
executive power He is to see that Il
laws are executed appoint to offices an
fill all vacancies in Office not otherwi'
provided for. and may with the approv
of the military governor of the Philil
pines, remove any officer from office. I'll
civil governor advises the military GO
ernor on all public and civil question
and presldes over the advisory counc
He. IN general, performs the duties whit
are performed by secretaries of state
our own system of government. The az
, visory council consists of eight membe
elected by the people within territori
> limits, which are defined in the order
; the commanding general.
Agreement with sultan of sulus.
The authorities of the Sulu islands ha7
accepted the succession of the Unite
States to the rights of Spain, and our fla
/