The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-01
New York Trihune.l

An interesting contribution to the his
tory of the war in Luzon is made by the
Hon. John Barrett, our ex-minister 20
Siam, in the September number of The
Review Of Reviews 1t deals with the
conditions prevailing in December and
January last, the two months immedi-
ately preceding the outbreak by Agui-
laldo and his men, and is made with
the authority Of a man of character
who speaks from personal knowledge.
Mr.. Barrett recalls what is too often
forgotten, that q competent American
commission, composed of men who We're
by no means "expansionists" in the
common sense of that term, was then
in conference with a Tagal commission,
seeking to arrive at an agreement
which would be satisfactory TO the Ia
gals and honorable to the United States.
The American commissioners made the
most liberal offers of autonomy, and in
vited counter proposals from the Ia
gals, But the latter either would make
no definite proposals, or would do so
with the reservation that their con-
gress might not approve them. Finally
after mucn backing and filing, the Ia
gal ultimatum was delivered to this
effect; The islands were to be at once
and absolutely independent, and all
American land forces were to be with
drawn at once; but the American navy
was to remain for a time to prevent in :
vasion or interference by any othe.'
power. That is, we were to assume the
responsibility OF protecting them in
whatever anarchy they might plunge
themselves into, but were to have no
power to enforce the usages of civiliz-
alton upon them.
To this, of course, the American COM
YnfSEiOnQrE could
pointed out to the Tagals the impossi-
bility of 1t, showed them what troubles
with other nations 1t might involve us
in, and assured them of the readiness
OF this country to give them all the ad-
vantages of self-government All was
in vain. The policy of the Tagals
seemed that of rule or ruin. The war
like spirit among them rose to such a
pitch as made it evident they were
bound to bring on conflict. Why?
Mr.. Barrett gives categorically nine
causes of that deplorable spirit among
the Tagals. nine reasons why they re-
fused the reasonable and generous Of
fers OF this country and made demand
for impossible conditions, and, in de-
fault of receiving them, began the war.
The first of these causes was found In
Aguinaldo's lying proclamations; sec
ond, demagogic speeches; third lying
circulars against America issued py
Spaiards and others fourth, sensa
tional newspapers in Luzon; fifth, the
assurance of various juntas, outside
Luzon, that European powers would
give Agninaldo active support; sixth,
friction between Filipino and American
troops; seventh the notion that Ameri
can soldiers were Of little account
eighth, the effect "of the reports ema
mating and often telegraphed from Am
erica that the prevailing sentiment
there sympathized with them and look
ed to the continuance of their policy
until they achieved their end" and
ninth, which Mr.. Barrett reckons the
Iefadlng cause and, influence of all, "the
delay in the making and ratification of
the treaty, which '"'+ convinced them
beyond question, with all the kilograms.
letters, and reports from America tina t
town, field and hills, that thew would
have their own way If they persisted in
resisting us."