Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1899-11-09
The Philippine Commission Unani-
nous for National Retention
of the Islands. Nd.
Preliminary REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT
Government by United states Held
to De the Archipelago's Only SAWS.
tion-Filipinos Unit for Self.Gov-
ernment-Aguinaldo Seeks Only
SelAsh Ends. F1,

PROMISED tO pTcpaIe. 1uS 1cpO1t dPe
pears to be compact summary of con-
ditions on the islands as the commits
sion left them; of the historical events
which preceded the Spanish war and led
to the original Filipino Instruction;
of the exchanges between Admiral
Dewey and the other American COM
manders and the insurgents; the break
ing out and progress of the present in
surrection, and, finally, a statement of
the capacity of the Filipinos for self
government. A notable feature of the
report is memorandum by Admiral
Dewey explanatory of his relations
with Aguinaldo.
No Promise OF Independence.
In this it is stated that in all of
Dewey's negotiations with Aguinaldo
no alliance Of any kind was entered in
to, nor was any promise of independ-
ence made to him. NH.
Efforts At Cancellation.
The efforts at Cancellation with
Aguinaldo and his various commissions
are set forth in detail, and the report
sums up the result of these fruitless
exchanges as follows:
mo better proof could be furnished that
the primary object of his struggle is not,
as is pretended. the liberty Of the Filipino
arbitrary and despotic power In any
event, the American people may feel con-
f1dent that no effort was omitted by the
commission to secure a peaceful end Of the
struggle. but the opportunities they offered
and urged were all neglected. II not In
deed spurned."
Idea of Independence.
The commissions report then rapidly
sketches events now historical. It tells
in substance how the Filipinos attacked
the Spanish and how Gen. Anderson ar
rived, and Aguina1do at his request re-
moved from Cavite to Baccoor. Says
the commission:
"Now for the first time rose. the idea
Of national independence. Aguinaldo is
sued proclamation, in which he took the
responsibility Of promising 1t to his people
on behalf Of the American government,
although he admitted freely in private con-
versation with members of his cabinet that
neither Admiral Dewey nor any other
American had made him any such prom
ise."
Mus, Continue the War.
The commission says:
"Deplorable as war is. the one in which
we are now engaged was unavoidable by
us. We were attacked by bold. adventur-
Gus and enthusiastic army. No alternative
was left to US. except ignominious retreat.
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 prosecution Of the
war until the insurgents are reduced to
submission. The commission is Of the opin-
ion that there has been no time since the
destruction Of the Spanish squadron by Ad-
mtral Dewey when 1t was possible to with
draw our forces from the islands either
with honor to ourselves or. with safety to
the inhabitants"
self-Government.
The chapter devoted to capacity for
self-government" is the result, the re-
port states, of diligent inquiry for sew
eral months, ins the course of which a
great number Of witnesses were exam
ined, of all shades Of political thought
and varieties of occupation, tribe and
locality. The most striking and per-
haps the most significant fact in the
entire situation is the multiplicity Of
tribes inhabiting the archipelago, the
diversity of their languages (Which are
mutually unintelligible) and the null
tifarious phases of civilization-rang-
ing all the way from the highest to the
lowest. AS to this the report says:
''The Filipinos are not nation, but
variegated assemblage of different
tribes and peoples, and their loyalty is
still of the tribal type" Concerning
their intellectual capacities, the COM
mission says:
GAS to the general intellectual capaci-
ties Of the Filipinos. the commission is dis
posed to rate them high. But excepting in
ties have not been developed by education
or experience. The masses Of the people
are uneducated. That intelligent public
opinion on which popular government rests
does not exist in the Philippines And It
the masses. broadened their intellectual
horizon. and disciplined their faculty of
judgment. And even then the power of
self-government cannot be assumed with
out considerable previous training and ex-
Of an enlightened and liberal foreign power.
For the bald fact is that the Filipinos
have never had any experience in governing
themselves.
''Their lack Of education and political
experience. combined with their racial and
linguistic diversities. disqualify them, in
spite Of their mental gifts and domestic
virtues. to undertake the task Of govern
ing the archipelago at the present time.
The most that can be expected Of them
is to cooperate with the Americans in the
administration Of general affairs, from
Manila as center. and to undertake. SUBJ
ject to American control or guidance Gas
may be found necessary the administra-
ton Of provincial and municipal affairs.
Fortunately. there are educated Filipinos.
though they do not constitute large pro-
portion OF the entire population, and their
support and services will be Of incalculable
value in inaugurating and maintaining the
new government. AS education advances
and experience ripens. the natives may be
intrusted with larger and more inde-
pendent share Of government: self govern
ment. as the American ideal. being con-
stantly kept In view as the goal. In this
way American sovereignty over the ar
chipelago will prove great political boon
TO the people. ~
Would Lapse Into Anarchy.
'should our power by any fatality be
hAsosn H~Vt>