The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1899-12-07

not De mere repeated. III Is enough 10 say
that the claim of the rebel leader. that
he was promised independence by any
officer of the United States in return for
his assistance has no foundation in fact
and Is categorically denied by the very
witnesses who were called to prove Il.
The most the insurgent leader hoped for
when he came back to Manila was the
liberation of the islands from the Spanish
control, which they had been laboring for
years. without success. to throw off.
Outbreak of the InsurrectiOn.
The prompt accomplishment OF this
work by the American army and navy
gave him other ideas and ambitions. and
insidious suggestions from various quar-
tiers perverted the purposes and intentions
with which he had taken up arms. No
sooner had our army captured Manila than
the Filipino forces began to assume nm
attitude OF suspicion and hostility. which
the utmost efforts of our officers and
troops were unable to disarm or modify.
Their kindness and forbearance was taken
as a proof of cowardice. The aggression
of the F'ilipnos continually increased. nm
til. finally. Just before the time set for the
senate of the United States to vote upon
the treaty. an attack, evidently prepared
in advance, was made all along the
American lines. which resulted IN "A terri
bly, destructive and sanguinary repuse of
the insurgents.
Ten days later an order Of the insurrent
government was issued to its adherents
who had remained In Manila. OF which
General Otis Justly observes that "for
barbarous intent 1t IS uncqualed in mod
ern times" 1t directs that at o'clock
on the night Of the l4th Of February, the
territorial militia shall come together in
the streets of San Pedro. armed with
their bolos. with guns and ammunition
where convenient: that Filpino families
only shall be respected; that all other
individuals. Of whatever race they may
be. shall be exterminated without any
compassion. after the determination of
the army of occupat ton and adds:
brothers. we must avenge ourselves on
the Americans and exterminate Them
that we NAV take our revenge for the
infamies and treacherios which they have
committed upon us. Have no compassion
upon them; attack with vIgor.'
A copy Of this fell. by good fortune
into the bands Of our officers. and they
were able to take measures TO control the
rising, which was actually attempted on
the night of February 90. n week later
than was originally contemplated. a con-
siderable number of armed insurgents en-
tered the city by waterways and swamrs.
and in concert 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.
Whnt the Commission Found.
This was the unhappy condition of af-
fairs which confronted our commissioners
on their arrival in Manila. They had
come with the hope and intention of CO.
operation with Admiral Dewey and Ma
jor-General Otis In establishing peace ard
order in the archipelago, and the largest
measure of selfgovernment compatible
with the true welfare of the people What
hnU IN hos b., sntf y,
in their own words:
"Deplorabe as war is. the one in which
we are now engaged was unavoidable by
us. We were attacked by bold. advcn-
turous and enthusiastic army. No alter
native was left 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 with force. Whatever the future of
the Philippines may be. there is no course
open to us now except the prosecution OF
the war until the insurgents are reduced
to submission. The commission Is of the
opinion that there has been no time since
the destruction of the Spanish squadron
by Admiral Dewey when 1t was possible
to withdraw our forces from the islands
either with honor to ourselves or with
S''i'Tts W INC
The course thus clearly indicated has
been unfiinchingly pursued. The rebel
lion must be put down. Civil government
cannot be thoroughly established until
order Is restored. with devotion and
gallantry worthy of its most brilliant
history, the army ably and loyalty as
sisted by the navy. has carried on this IN
welcome but most righteous campaign
with richly deserved success The noble
elf-sacrfice with which our soldiers and
sailors, whose terms of service had ex-
PRED. refused to avail themselves of their
right to return home as long as they We're
needed at the front forms one of the
brightest pages In our annals Although
their operations have been somewhat in
terrupted and checked by n .niny season
OF unusual violence and duration thew
have gained ground steadily in every d.
rection and now look forward confidently
TO speedy completion of their task
The unfavorable circumstances con-
nected with an active campaign have not
been permitted to interfere with the
equally important work of reconstruct
ton. Again invite your attention to the
report of the commissioners for the inter-
esting and encouraging details of the
work already accomplished in the es-
adjustment of peace and order and the
inauguration of self-governing municipal
life in many portions Of the archipelago.
Civil Government In Negroes.
A notable beginning has been made in
the establishment of a government in
the island of Negros, which Is deserving
OF special consideration. This was the
first island to accept American sovereign
ty. Its people unreservedy proclaimed
allegiance to the United States and
adopted a constitution looking to the es-
Enlistment of popular government. 1t
was impossible to guarantee to the peo-
pie or Negroes that the
adopted should be the ultimate form of
government. Such a question, under the
treaty with Spain and in accordance with
our own constitution and laws came ex-
clusively under the jurisdiction of con-
gress. The government actually set up