Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-07
RULE BY
AMERICA.
Philippine Commission is IN
a1imous for National Re
tsntion Of the Islands.
ITS REPORT IS ON FILE.
Government by the United states In the
Archipelago is Only salvations
Aguinaldo,s Object d Con.
linnation OF Power.

Washington, Nov. 3.-"Ifi we with
draw from the Philippines anarchy and
Intervention of other powers will fol-
low. American occupation is the only
salvation of the islands. This is recog-
nized by many Filipinos, even insur-
gents, but these latter want to control
the revenues while we take the respon-
sihilities. National honor forbids any
effert to escape our responsibilities
Our control is the only thing that
stands for peace and order and prog
ress. 1t is the only guarantee against
ACKNOWLEDGMENT. In the language of a
prominent Filipino, Give us peace and
prosperity and we will become more
American than the Americans them
selves"
These are few of the expressions
used by the Philippine commissioners
in their preliminary report, which was
handed to the president by the four
members of the commission last even-
ing. The report appears to be a COM
pact summary of the conditions on the
islands as the commission left them;
of historical events which preceded the
Spanish war and which led to the orig
inal Filipino Instruction; of exchanges
between Admiral Dewey and other
American commanders and the insur-
gents; breaking out and progress of
the present Instruction, and, finally a
statement of the capacity of the Flip
mos for self-government.
A notable feature of the report is
4 the memorandum by Admiral Dewey
explanatory of his relations with
Aguinaldo.
The commission tells briefly how it
conducted the task entrusted to it, of
hearing statements from all classes OF
people in Manila as to the capabilities
of the Filipinos for self-governmept,
also the establishment of municipal
governments in many towns. Turning
to the history of the islands the com
mission attaches, little Importance to
the divers rebellions which had pre-
ceded that of 1896. As to this move
ment, they declare that it was in no
Eense an attempt to win independence,
but solely ito obtain relief from intol-
cradle abuses. The commission de
clares that the demands mt then
had good ground; that on paper the
Spanish system of government was toll
81 ooAS3 iA'osV@ Ia PtdSttSS-tSNCiJ opdulsu
governor did what he saw fit, and the
evil deeds of the men in the govern
ment We're hidden from Spain by a
4 strict press censorship. Allusion is
made to the powerful Katipunan so
ciety, patterned on the Masonic order
and mainly made up of Tagalos, as a
powerful revolutionary force.
The report then relates in detail the
terms by which the war was termin-
ated, whereby Aguinaldo was promised
money, and reforms in government
were to be made.
The promises We're never carried out
and the Spanish abuses began 'afresh
in Manila alone more than two hun
dred men being executed. Hence the
sporadic risings occurred, though they
possessed nothing like the strength OF
the original movement The treaty
ended the war which, with the excep-
ton of an unimportant outbreak in
Cebu, had been confined to- Luzon
Spain's sovereignty in the, other is.
lands never having been questioned
and the thought of independence new.
er having been entertained.
Early Filipino Troubles.
The report then tells how General