The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-19

90 not pIOpusGt IL uuey CdIl III ally way
avoid it, to faifA gain under the do
minionl of wilma tStfiey consider a faith
less and cruel race of oppressors.
Once gain their confidence, prove to
them that American control means
that the natives are to be protected in
their religious. social and business life,
and it will DE discovered that a more
submissive and loyal people to honest
government methods are not to be
found.
This, however, is somewhat aside
from my main object, and I must re-
turn to the description of Spanish
methods, of which much remains to be
said.
During the whole history of the Phil
ippines cruelty to captives taken in bat
tie and faithlessness to their leaders
have been the rule. After the insur-
rection in Leyte in 1922 the leaders We're
all executed many Of them, in the
ruthless Spanish method at that date,
being burned at the stake. In the out
break of 1649 treachery was added TO
cruelty. The chiefs of the revolt, who
surrendered on promise of a full par
don. were hanged as soon as the Span
iards got them in hand. The same was
the case in 1860 and in various later
revolts. The natives were first driven
into rebellion by oppression and then
shot down in cold blood like so many
mad dogs.
A Revealing Sight.
Although we are now at the end or
the 18th century, and many lessons OF
human kindness have been learned by
the world, they seem to have failed 10
enter Spain. During the recent insur-
rection that country showed itself to be
medieval in her methods. Prisoners
We're shot down by hundreds and SOL
emn obligations broken with impunity
But I cannot better show the position
occupied by Spain and the Spaniards
in this era Of enlightenment than TO
describe an execution of rebel prison
manity than which nothing could be
more revolving to any person of feel
ing.
The day of an execution was made a
| day of jubilee, as well to the elite of
the city of Manila as to the masses In
honor of the coming event the promi-
| nent houses were decked with flags,
| and the whole city put on holiday
| aspect. The Luneta, the beautiful
| promenade on the bay shore south Of
| the city walls, was the scene Of this
grewsome spectacle, and thousands OF
people flocked there to enjoy it. women
as we'll as men. rich as well as poor.
The executions usually took place in
the morning. The condemned. with
spot, and made to stand on the old sea
wall, facing the waters of the bay. Be
hind them stood a long line of armed
soldiers. Still further in the. rear
| thronged the multitude, waiting with
| mute expectancy the event. Then came
| series of sharp commands, answered
| by the rattle of musketry; and the UNI
fortunates, standing on the wall Of
death, fell PROSTATE, many lifeless,
others writing in agony.
Horrible as this was, it was not the
greatest horror Of the affair. This came
| in the action OF the spectators, who
seemed to look on this scene of murder
| as spectacle got up for their special
enjoyment. The groans of the dying
| We're drowned in the cheers of the null
| titude. Men excitedly flung their hats
| into the air; ladies, fashionably dress
ed, waved their handkerchiefs and
clapped their hands in delight. the
| band broke out into triumphal music,
and the dire event seemed the culmina-
| ton of a delightful entertainment. And
| this was at the end of the 18th CEN
fury. not in the, days of old Rome.
| These Were the promenaders OF the
| Luneta. not the audience of the Coli
scum A fight of gladiators, who were