Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-12-07

tmhen ny came back to Manila was the
Liberation OF the islands from the
spanish control, which they had been
iahorine for years without success 10
throw off. s'@'o'' w
mo prompt accomplishment of this
WORK ny the American army and navy
gave him other ideas and ambitions.
ana lnsidious suggestions from various
quarters perverted tho purposes and
Intentions with which he had taken I'm
arms. No sooner had our army car
tufed Manila than the Filipino forces
tagan to assume an attitude of sus.
ploion and hostility which the utmost
efforts of our officers and troops were
unable to disarn or modify. Their
Kindness and forbearance were taken ma
a proof of cowardice. The aggression
OF The Filipinos continually increased
until finally, just before the time set
ay the Senate of the United States for
q vote upon the treaty an attack eyi-
IDENTIFY prepared in advance was made
all along the American lines, which
resulted in a terribly destructive and
sanguinary iepulse of the insurgents.
len days later an order of the insur-
gent government was issued to its ad-
horents who had remained in Manila,
OF which Gen. Otis justly observes that
Tor barbaio Gus intent it is unequalled
in modern times. y 1t directs that at
. O'Clock on the night of the 18th of
February the territorial militia" shall
come together in the streets Of San
Pedro armed with their bolos, with
guns and ammunition where con
yenient; that Filipino families only
shall be respected; but that all other
individuals, of whatever race they may
be, shall be eStcrminated without any
compassion, after the determination of
the army of occupation, and adds,
Brothers, we must avenge ourselves
on the Americans and exterminate
them, that we may take our revenge
for the infamies and treacheries which
they have committed uton us. Have
no compassion upon them; attack with
vigor. A copy of this fell ny good
fortune into the hands of our officers
and they were able to take measures to
control the rising, which was actually
attempted on the night of February
22d, week later than was originally
contemplated. Considerable numbers
of armed insurgents entered the city
by waterways and swamps and in con-
cert with confederates inside attempted
to destroy Manila by fire. They were
kept in check during the night and the
next day driven out OF the city with
heavy loss.
This was the unhappy condition of
affairs which confronted our commits
sioners on their arrival in Manila. They
had come with the hope and intention
Of cooperating with Admiral Dewey
| nj al in otnb tcb
| peace and order in the archipelago and
| the largest measure of seif-government
compatible with the true welfare of the
people. What they actually found can
best be set forth in their own words:
"Deplorable as war is, the one in which
weare now engaged was unavoidable by
US. We were attacked by a bold ,'a1ven.
turous and enthusiastic army. No alterna.
tive was left to US except ignominious re-
treat.
ut is not to be conceived of that any
| American would have sanctioned the sur
render 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 nov except the prosecution OF
the war until the insurgents are reduced
TO submission. The commission is Of
| the opinion that there have been no time
since the destruction of the Spanish
squadron by Admiral Dewey when il
was possible to withdraw our forces from
the islands either with honor to ourselves
or with safety to the inhabitants"
The course thus clearly indicated has
been unflinchingly pursued. The rebel
lion must be put down. Civil govern
ment cannot be thoroughly established
until order is restored. With devotion
and gallantry worthy of its most bril-
liant history the army, ably and Loyalty
assisted by the navy, has carried on thi'
unwelcome but most righteous campaign
with richly deserved success. The noblt
sef.sacrifice with which our soldiers
and sailors whose terms of service hat
expired refused to avail themselves o
their right to return home as long a
they were needed at the front, forms on
of the brightest pages in our annals
Although their operations have beei
somewhat interrupted aud checked by
rainy season of unusual violence ant
duration, they have gained ground stead
lily in every direction, and now look for
ward confidently TO speedy completion
of their task.
THE sI.AvERy-PoLyGoMy TREATY.
The unfavorable circumstances con
nected with an active campaign
have not been permitted to inter
fere with the equally importan
work of reconstruction. Again
invite your attention to the report of TIL
, commissioners for the interesting and en-
couraging details of the work alread
Accommodated in the establishment G
} peace and order and the Inauguration c
, self governing municipal life in man
portions Of the archipelago. A notabl
beginning has been made in the establish
, meut of q government in the Island G
, Negros which is deserving of specia
J consideration. This was the first islam
to accept American sovereignty. Its pee
, pie unreseivedly proclaimed allegianc
> to the United States and adopted cor
stitutiou looking to the establishment OF
: popular government. 1t was impossibl
D to guarantee to the people of Negros this
D the constitution so adopted should BIZ th
+ ultimate form of government. Such
I question, under the treaty with Spain an
0 in accordance with our own constitutio
: and laws, came exclusively within tl
Q Jurisdiction of the Congress. The go
= ernment actually set up by the lnhab
Q tants Of Negros eventually proved unsa
t isfactory to the natives themselves. A ne
9 system was put into force by order Of tt
i major.general commanding the deparI
o ment, Of which the following are IL
: most important elements:
, 1t was ordered that the government
y the Island of Negros should consist OF
!. military governor appointed by u
4 United States military governor OF IL
= Philippines, and civil governor and
|. advisory council elected by the peopl
II The military governor was authorize