The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-11-11
general cooperation insurgents Manila

consul at Manila and others, that the
Filipinos had broken out in insurrect;on
against the Spanish authority in the VI
cinity OF Manila, and on March 81 Mr..
Williams a telegraphed: Five thou
sane rebels armed in camp near city.
Loyal to US in case of war
Upon the arrival of the squadron at
Manila it was found that there was no
insUrrection to speak OF, and IL was ac-
ccrdingly decided to allow Agulnai1o L
He arrived with thirteen OF his stan on
May 10, and Immediately came on board
the Olympia to call on the commander-
in-chief, after which he was allowed 10
land at Cavite and rganiZe an army:
This was done with the purpose OF
STRENGTHENING the United States forces
and weakening those of the enemy. No
alliance of any kind was entered into
with Aguinaldo, nor was any promise OK
independence made to him, then or at any
other time
First Idea of Independents.
The commissioners report then rapidly
sketches events now historical. 1t tells
the Spanish, and how Gen. Anderson ar
rived, and ASuinaldo, at his u
moved from Cavite to Bacoor. says the
commission:
national independence. Aguinaldo lssuc1
a proclamation in which he took the re
sponsibility of promising it to his people
on behalf of the American government,
although he admitted freely in private
conversation with members OF his capilet
thai neither Admiral Dewey nor any otn-
er American had made him any SUCH
promise"
The report tates that Aguinaldo wished
to attack the Americans when they iand-
ed at Paranaque, but was deferred py
lack of arms and ammunition From tnat
point on there was a growing friction be-
tween the Fflipinos and the American
troops, o,o - conferences" saws the
rornrt .shotuaap the officers OF the Fiji
ninos and our officers with a view to OPP
Grating against the Spaniards, nor was
there cooperation of any kind.
There never was any p~reconcerted opera
tons or any combined movement by the
United States and Filipinos against the
SpaniardS."
mand that he be allowed to loot Manila
and take the arms of the Spaniards. Inc
latter demand is said to confirm the state
ment that he intended to get possession
of the arms to attack the Americans.
Further evidence of the hostile intentions
of the Filipinos was found in the orSanl-
zation of popular clubs which late:
on furnished a local militia to attack the
Americans. The DEGREES of the t1ilpino
congress are also cited, as well as the
making of bolos (~knivesl in every shop
in Manila. II is shown that a considera-
bic element in the Filipino congress wished
to address to President Mckinley a re-
quest not to abandon the Filipinos cat this
stage the Paris conference was ~discusslnS
the future of the Philippines. The presi-
lent was also to be asked his desire as TO
the form of government he wished TO es-
tablish. But all this time Aguinaldo was
preparing for war and delaying these
messages, and it was understood that the
attack would come upon the first act ny
the American forces which would afford
a preteNt-
The War Was Unavoidable.
A brief chapter then tells of the lack
of success attending the effort made at
This TINA hv Cen Merritt through a com
mission, to arrive at a mutual understand
ing with Aguinaldo as to the Intentions
purposes and desires of the Filipino pee
pie. This brings the story up to the OuS-
break on the evening of the 18th of Feb
ruary, with the attack upon the American
troops following the action of the Ne
braskan sentinel.
The commission, in concluding this chap
ter avs; ,ord;na Of orr troons Ami
naldo made up his mind that it would be
necessary to fight the Americans, and af-
ter the making of the treaty of peace at
Paris this determination was ~StrenAtn-
ened. He did not openly declare that he
intended to fight the Americans. but ne
excited everybody, and especially the mil
itary men, by claiming independence, ard
il is doubtful whether he had the power
to check or control the army at the time
hostilitieS broke out.
.Depiorable as war is, the one in which
We are now engaged was unavoidable d.!
US. We were attacked by a bold, advcn-
lulcoo lAo a. 49, NhNNA
native was left to us except ignominiouS
retreat. 1t 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 Filipinos. and to 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 US now except the prose-
cutlon of the war until the insurgents are
reduced to submission.
" 80 Of Tho tia-
there has been no time since the destruc-
ton of the Spanish squadron by Admiral
Dewey when it was possible to ithdra
our forces from the islands, either with
honor to ourselves or with safety to the
inhabitants
Reign of Terror Mt Manila.
The commission then takes up the con-
ditiGnS of the country at the time of their
arrival. comparing it with condition eX-
isting at the time they left a short time
archy existing among the inhabitants in
and about Manila during TIE early sprinS.
The situation in the city says the
commission, was bad. Incendiary fires
occurred daily. The streets were almost
deserted. Half of the native population
had fled, and most of the remainder were
shut in their houses. Business was at a
standstill. Insurgent troops everywhere
faced our lines. and the sound of rifle fire
was frequently audible in our house. A
reign of terror prevailed. Fflipinos h
Hdu ldNDISu ililt Idho 1 dSSdSSltlI-
ton, and few had the courage to come out
openly for us. Fortunately, there We're
among this number some of the best men
Df the city
The report then speaks of the Issuance
Of the committees proclamation and the
good effect it had on public sentiment.
The natives, accustomed to Spanish prom
ises. urged upon the commission that acts
instead of promises should be given them.
Az a result native law courts We're eStab-
ished, and this greatly aided in the re-
Storation of public confidence. The flow
9f population soon began TO set toward
Che city. Natives who had fled from their
ZONES returned.
Rebellion of Limited Scope.
AS showing the limited scope of the re-
Sellion the commission states:
I'VE learned that the strong
.an feeling was confined to the TagaloS
ErCvinces. namely: Mania, Cavite, La
GUIANA, Batangas, Morong, Balucan,
:Sueva Ecija, Principe. Infanta and Fam
,ales. 1t was strongest in the first sly
Named, and hardly existed in the last
,our. The population of these provinces
IS estimated to be about 1,5O0,pN. but i.
should not be supposed that eysn in the
six provinces Immediately adjacent to
Manila the people were united In their
opposition to us. Even here there was F.
strong conservative element, consisting
of people of wealth and intelligence, OPP
posed to the war"
Under the head: THE Rebellion Not II
National Movement" the report sreats
of the rebellion outside of the provinces o.
Luzon. where. ii is stated, the uprising