Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-11-06
The Triumphant French.

tue triumphant fTehCh.
The preliminary report of the Philip
pine commission which was made
public, last week, is as full of facts as
an egg is of meat. 1t is signed by the
four members of the commission, Ad-
miral Dewey, President Schurman.
Professor Worcester and Mr.. DENLY
and it fully justices the Presidents
course in suppressing the instruction
before putting in operation any sys-
TEN of civil government for the archi-
pelagO. 1t is a knockdown blow to
those little Americans who have been
wilfully blind to the truth, and whose
hostility to the government has given
aid and comfort to those fighting it.
1t shows how unjustifiable and how
vicious has been the fire from the rear
maintained by the 'anti-imperialists.
The report shows Aguinaldo in his
true light not as a George Washing
ton, a patriot sacrificing himself for
the liberties of his people. but as
mercenary and utterly unprincipled
aspirant for absolute power. 1t states
over Admiral Dewey's own signature.
that no alliance or agreement of any
kind was ever entered into by Dewey
on behalf of their government and the
- little Tagalog leader. Nor was inde-
pendence ever promised him. We do
not believe that even Atkinson Gar
rison or Schurz will question the word
of Admiral Dewey. and if he tells the
truth in this report, then the assertion
that our government has not kept
faith with the Filipinos is absolutely
false.
The report shows that the fighting
was begun by the insurgents and not
by our troops. Aguinaldo was dis
gusted and disappointed that he and
his men were not allowed to loot Ma
Mia after the Spaniards had surren-
dered it to the American forces. The
report goes over the ground thorough
ly to show that the insurrection
against American authority has never
been a general one. 1t has been con-
fined to one large tribe on the main
island led by an ambitious scoundrel.
BY living off the country and always
running away, AguinalGo has man.
aged to prolong the campaign. But
Admiral Dewey is of the opinion that
the large American army soon to be
on the island will make short work OF
Aguinaldo and wipe out all traces of
the insurrection by February or
March.
The commission declares that the
people are not fit for self-government.
They are intelligent but lack educa-
ton and experience and have no ca
pacity for affairs of government. The
report says that only American SOW
ereignty will prevent anarchy and the
among the other powers. 1t concludes
with this significant sentence: Our
control means to the inhabitants of
the Philippines internal peace and or
der. a guarantee against foreign ag-
gression and against the dismember-
ment of their. country. commercial and
industrial prosperity, and as large 4
share of the affairs of government as
they shall prove fit to take
President Schurman of the commits
sion says that as soon as Agunaldo' s
insurrection is suppressed the United
States should Immediately establish a
government to be administered at first
under the direction of the war depart
ment. but to finally be placed in the
hands of the Filipinos, under direct
and permanent American sovereign
ty." This is not imperialism" There
is no such policy or thought among
those at the head of our government
1t is only commons and patriot
ism; a high grade of common-sense
and a lofty plan of patriotism which
the chronic kickers of the "grasshop-
per chorus" are unable to appreciate
1t is to be hoped that the report of the
Philippine commission will diffuse a
few rays of light in the darkness where
they grope and wall.
n,,s Aha