New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-06


in return for his assistance has no foundatIon a.
fact, and Ia categorcally denied by the var,
witnesses who we're called to prove IT, The mos,
the insurgent leader hoped for when he cans
back to Manila was the liberation OF tho ,s,'
ands from the Spanish control, which they bsd
been laborng for years without success to throw,
AGUINALDo's REBELLION.
The prompt accomplishment OF this work ~,
the American Army and Navy gave him othes
ideas and ambitions and insdous Suggestion.
from various quarters perverted the purposes
and intentions with which he had taken nm
arms. No sooner had our Army captured Ma
Mia than the Filipino forces began 10 assume
an attitude Of suspicion and hostility, which tina
utmost efforts OF our officers and troops were
unable to disarm or modify Their kindness and
forbearance were taken as a proof Of cowardce
The aggressions Of the FilipnOs continually In.
creased until finally. just before the time set
by the Senate OF the United States for a vote
upon the treaty, an attack, evidently prepared
in advance, was made all along the American
lines, which resulted In terribly destructive
and sanguinary repulse Of the insurgents.
Ten days later an order OF the insurgent gov.
eminent was issued to it's adherents who had
remained in Manila, OF which General Otis Justly
observes that for barbarous intent II Is un.
eQuaed In modern times" 1t directs that az
8 o'clock the night OF the 10Th of February
the territorial militia shall come together In ths
streets Of San Pedro armed with their bolos
with guns and ammunition. where convenient,
that Filipino families only shall be respected;
they may be, shall be extermnated without any
compassion, after the determination Of the army
Of occupation, and adds: Brothers, we must
ayenge ourselves the Americans and ex.
terminate them. that we may take our revenge
for the infamies 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 able 10 take measures 70
control the rising, which was actually at
tempted on the night Of February % week
- 49,. rs.rf.. a1I, afata
siderable numbers of armed insurgents entered
the city by waterways and swamps and in con-
cert with confederates inside attempted to de-
stroy Manila by fire. They were kept In check
during the night and the next day driven out
OF the city with heavy loss. This was the un-
happy condition Of affairs which confronted our
commissioners on their arrival in Manila. They
had come with the hope and intention OF co..
operating with Admiral Dewey and Major Gem
eral 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 ara
now engaged was unavoidable by US. We were
attacked by bold adventuroq s, ana a enthusiast:
ignominious retreat Il Is not to De conceived that
render Of Manila to the insurgents our obllga.
lions to other nations and 10 the friendly Fipnos
and 20 ourselves and our flag demanded that force
should be met by force Whatever the future Of
the Philippines may be. there is no course open
to now except the prosecution or the war until
the insurgents reduced TO submission Tbs
commission is OF the opinion that there has been
no time since the destruction Of the Spanish
squadron by Admiral Dewey when II was pos
sible 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
unfnchngly pursued The rebellion must ba
put down. Civil government cannot be thorough
~ established until order is restored. With
a devotion and gallantry worthy OF It's most
brilliant history, the Army, ably and 10y ally as
sisted by the Navy has carried on this unwel-
come but most righteous campaign with richly
deserved success. The noble self-sacrifce with
which soldiers and 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 tnelr
operations have been somewhat interrupted and
checked by rainy season OF unusual violence
and duration, they have gained ground steadily
in every direction, and now look forward cons
fidently to a speedy completion Of their task
RECONSTRUCTION IN THE PHILIPPINES
The unfavorable circumstances connected with
an active campaign have not been permitted 10
interfere with the equally important work OF re-
construction. Again invite your attention 70
the report of the commissioners for the interes.
ing and encouraging details Of the work ALREADY
accomplished in the e. Adjustment OF peace and
order and the Inauguration OF self governing
municipal life In many portions or the archie
pelago. A notable beginning has been made In
the establishment OF government In the ISL
and of Negroes which is deserving g special con-
sideration. This was the first Island to accept
American sovereignty. Its people unreservedly
proclaimed allegiance to the United states ana
adopted a constitution looking to the establish
ment Of a popular government. 1t was impos'
sble to guarantee TO the people OF Negros tnas
the constitution so adopted should be the ultls
mate form Of government. Such question, uhaes
the treaty with Spain and in accordance with
our own Constitution and laws came exclusive
ly within the Jurisdiction OF the Congress the
government actually set up by the inhapltants
Of Negros eventually proved unsatisfactory 10
the natives themselves A new system was put
into force by order Of the Major General com.
handing the department, Of which the following
are the most important elements:
THE GOVERNMENT OF NEGRos.
1t was ordered that the government OF the
island OF Negros should consist or military
Governor appointed by the United states MIL,
tary Governor Of the Philippines. and civll
Governor and an Advisory Council electsc oy
the people. The Military Governor was eu-
thorized TO appoint Secretary OF treasury
Interior Agriculture, Public instruction, an Az
torney General and an Auditor The seat OF tns
government was fixed at Bacolor. The Military
Governor exercises the supreme executive power
He is to see that the laws executed, APP
point to office and Ill all vacancies in office NOT
otherwise provided for. and may with tne aP-
prevail OF the Military Governor OF the Phlip,
pines, remove any officer from Office. The Cl'ii
Governor advises the Military Governor on al
public civil questions and presides over the Ad-
visory Council. He in general performs ing
duties which are performed by Secretaries u
State in own system OF government
The Advisory Council consists of eight mem mem
bers elected by the people within territotid.
limits which are defined in the order OF ths
commanding general
The times and places OF holding elections are
to be fixed by the Military Governor OF the lss
| and Of Negros. The qualifications OF voters a's
as follows: .
% A voter must be male citizen OF the ISL
| and OF Negros. (O OF the age of twenty-oh
! 90 He shall be able to speak, read ana writo
| the English, Spanish or Visayan language or
| he must own real property worth $500 or p aXy
| q rental on real property OF the value OF slUy.
| a. He must have resided I'm the island NO.
less than one year preceding, and in the dis'ric.
| in which he offers to register as voter n9'
| less than three months Immediately preceu..
ing the time he offers to register. 90 He mus
register at a time fixed by law before Vos,ns
| (6) Prior to such registration he shall havs