The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1899-07-07
SCHURMAN'S TRIP.
Peace Commissioner Gets the Senti-
ment in Southern Philippines.
Municipal Elections Held in Several Towns
in Cavite PrOvinee-The Public Schools
Open at 8LanIIa-Heavy RaIns-In-
surgents OuarreIing.

Manila, July 4.-PrOf. J. G. Schur-
man, of the United States advisory
commission for the Philippines, re-
turned to Manila yesterday from a
three weeks tour Of the southern
islands He takes an entirely hopeful
view Of the general conditions there.
The intelligent and substan tial citizens
desire an American PrOtectOrate. The
masses are awaiting the settlement of
the war In the island of Luzon before
declaring themselves
declaring themselves They are chiefly
anxious to be undisturbed- The presi-
dent Of the town Of SantO Nicolas, IN
the island Of Cebu, said to Mr. Schur-
man, I'VE want peace, food and pros
Perity- We do not wish TO fight We
would be neutral
The president of the commission
thinks this declaration fairly expresses
the sentiments Of the people IN the
southern islands Of the archipelago.
Many Of the tOwT there are in the
hands Of small bands Of Tagalos, and
the people fear to indOrse American
rule until they are certain that Aguin-
aldo must be beaten Let them once
be convinced Of this and the allegiance
thinks. can be secured by diplomacy.
The United States gun boat Benning-
ton took Mr.. Schurman to MindanaO
and the islands Of the SuIu and Visayan
groups He travelled through the is
land Of NegrOs with Col Smith and a
party Of natives In several Of the
principal towns he was rendered ban
quets and he had an hours conference
received him IN the royal audience
chamber, surrounded by a body guard
Of ierce-lOOking MOrOs.
Mr. Schurman told the sultan that
the United States had acquired the SOW
ereignty of the Philippines from Spain,
but had no wish 70 subjugate the pOpu-
latiOn nor to interfere with their Gus
toms or religion. On the contrary, the
great desire OF the American govern
ment was TO help the people Of the
islands to develop their country. The
sultan replied that he earnestly desired
peace and was anxious to continue the
existing treaties.
Saturday Gen LawtOn and Prof.
Worcester, Of the commission, visited
the principal towns in the province of
Cavite, out Of which the natives were
was to direct the elections of the presi-
dents Of linus, BacOOr, Paranque and
Las Pinas. Under the municipal sys-
TEN thus inaUgurated, the presidents
or the mayors Of the towns are empOw-
cred to appoint minor officials and to
levy taxes, which are to be expended
solely In public improvements Before
acting, Gen LawtOn and Mr.. Worces-
ter had consulted with the leading men
In each town and selected candidates
whose honesty and friendIiness to
American rule were beyond question
To-day the public schools IN Manila
viii open, and It is expected that there
viii be 1000 children in attendance
The prescribed holidays include the
20 church days observed in Manila,
WashingtOn's birthday and the Fourth
Of July. Almost every steamer brings
missionaries The. arrival Of one IN
Cebu made no little trouble, as the re-
port spread rapidly among the ignorant
classes that the Americans intended
to compel them to give up their
churches The American authorities,
in the interest Of harmony, requested
him TO withdraw and he complied
Rain has fallen almost continuously
for nine days 1t has been tremen-
dOus downpOur and the whole country
IN flooded The trenches at San Fer
nandO are bitches Of water and the
mud is knee deep IN the temporary
camps at several Of the outlying towns.
According to the latest reports from
the province OF Cavite, the insurgent
leaders there are quarreling. Aguin-
aldO's cousin, BaldOmerO AguinaldO,
has been killed or imprisoned BY Gen.
Mariana Trias, commander Of the in
surgents In the southern district Of
LuzOn, and most of his men have de-
serted to Trias, who is now at san
Francisco de Ia Malibon.