Omaha daily bee., 1899-06-28
ECHOES OF THE WAR.

bNhOEN WI iHb " NV
Brsader General King, better known as
Captain King. who was obliged to leave
the Philippines on account OF his shattered
health, gives mperalists a hard blow BY
asserting that the Filipinos are capable OF
self government The principal argument
Of those who uphold the argument OF Asiatic
c)nquos; is that the Filipinos are utterly
unable to govern themselves, consequently
American control is necessary to cave tn m
from self destruction General King has
beeen among the natives for months prior
to the outbreak and fought them for ever
three months. Thus he had the b,st facili-
ties for observing their characteristics in
peace and war. In letter to the Milwau-
kee Jorual he states that the capability of
the Filipinos for self-goyernment cannot be
doubted, and II given fair start they could
look out for themselves infinitely better
than our people imagine" Furthermore he
declares they rank far higher than the
Cubans or the uneducated negroes whom
the United states have given the right OF
suffrage.
Admiral Dewey expressed similar opin-
ion nearly a year ago in a dispatch TO the
Navy department. On August 20, 1898, he
teegraphed as follows The population OF
Luzon is reported to be something over
1900, 900 mostly natives. These are gem
tle docile, and, under just laws and with
benefits Of popular education would soon
make good citizens. In telegram sent to
the department on June 23 | expressed the
opinion that these people are far superior
in their intelligence and more capable of
self government than the natives of Cuba,
and | am familiar with both races Further
-. ~. l. n
this opinion"
Lieutenant Henry Page OF the regular
army at Manila, writing to the Chicago
Record concerning the evidence of native
statecraft found in abandoned cities near
Manila, says:
when we reached the headquarters at
Santa Ana another surprise awaited u.s.
for here was found some of the machinery
of Aguinaldos government. Among the
papers scattered about in confusion by the
retreating officials were kilograms letters
and commissions showing something Of
their system. One letter was from a town
ship governor asking relief from his duties;
surgeons certificate was inclosed 1t
had been forwarded through official chan
nels to Aguinados secretary of state and
returned with abundant Endorsements ap
proved. With it was an order to the gov
ernor of the province to have a new cleo
tion. Another letter was complaint made
against another local governor for malad
ministraton. 1t stated the charges in real
legal form and was duly signed. The nu
merous papers concerning school teachers
appointments showed that the Filipinos had
already perfected arrangements for the
education of the youth on large scale.
...-ls A.
erty, records of births, deaths, ETC.. to show
that Aguinalldo's organization is at least
not laughable farce. l might mention also
meteorological and other scientific instru-
ments and records to show that the Fill
pinos didn't neglect science during those
busy, warlke times. Letters dated Feb
ruary 4, from Malolos showed that they
had a good courier system. A book on tao
tics, engravngs OF the several uniforms,
beautiful typographical maps copies of the
Declaration OF Independence and the revolu-
tionary constitution military and state seals
and other articles all went to show that la
Dor and intelligence were united in their
production.
"In each town a church, convent. or
priests home. a tribunal which is court
house, jail and record Office all in one, and
a school, constitute the public buildings
The schools were neat, substantial build
ings, which testified that the Spanish made
an honest effort to educate the masses The
Filipino is very anxious to learn and the
new government Of Aguinaldo used every ef
fort to start afresh these schools. The num-
Der OF natives who speak Spanish as well
as their native tongue and who also know
how to read and write, is remarkable No
school teacher has been appointed in San
Jose and the school buildings are held by
the American officers. In spite of this dis
there is a private school -four
ishing in a native hut
Lieutenant Page speaks of the natives as
lazy, but with all due respect to his own
he believes we would be the
same under like conditions. In conclusion
he says: "The educated and polished Fill
pino is not at all a bad fellow He is very
quick to comprehend and he possesses a
peculiar dexterity in accomplishing his
work. He is among other things natural
musician. The negro race is called musical,
but the Filipino also possesses the soul Of
music ana can easily rise to lofty heights.
When see these ragged beggars playing Sc
ections from Faust 'Rigoletto, Car
men and 'Tannhauser,' on home made in
struments, with an expression and touch
like a German orchestra, I am impelled to
believe that there is somewhere an unde-
yeloped capacity. Such music does not dwell
in a mind barren of all else save music.
Such music appeals alone to higher quail
tiles, undeyeloped though they may be"
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