The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-12-06

which / transmit herewith. gives so
lucid and comprehensive a history of
the present discretionary movement
that the story need not here be re-
peated-
IT is enough to say that the claim of
the rebel leader that he was promised
| independence by any officer of the
United States in return for his assist
ance has no foundation in fact and is
categorically denied by the very wit
nesses who were called to prove it. The
most the insurgent leader hoped for
When he came back to Manila was the
liberation of the islands from the Span
| ism control, which they had been Ia
boring for years without success to
throw off
Uprising of Natives.
The prompt accomplishment of this
,~ork by the American army and navy
gave him other ideas and ambitions
and insidious suggestions from various
quarters prevented the purposes and
intentions with which he had taken up
arms. No sooner had our army cap
tured Manila than the Filipino forces
began TO assume an attitude of suspi-
cion and hostility which the utmost eff
forts of our officers and troops We're
unable to disarm or modify Their
kindness and forbearance were taken as
proof OF cowardice.
The aggressions of the Filipinos con-
tinually increased until finally, just be-
fore the time set for the senate of the
United States to vote upon the treaty,
an attack, evidently prepared in ad-
vance, was made all along the Ameri-
can lines. which resulted in a terribly
destructive and sanguinary repulse of
the insurgents.
Ten days lated an order of the in
surgent government was issued to its
adherents who had remained in Manila,
of which General Otis Justly observes
that fer barbar5us intent it is unequal
ed in modern times" 1t directs that
at O'Clock on the night of the 4th of
February, the territorial militia shall
come together in the streets of San
Pedro. armed with their bolos. with
guns and ammunition where convent
ent; that Filipino families only shall
be respected; but that all other indi-
viduals. of whatever race they may be-
shall be eXterminated without any
compassion, after the determination of
the army of occupation and adds:
Would Slaughter Americans.
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 upon us. Have no
compassion upon them; attack with
viger."
a copy Of this fell, by good fortune.
into the hands of our officers, and they
We're able TO take measures to control
the rising, which was actually attempt
ed on the night of Feb. %, week later
than was originally contemplated. A
considerable number of armed insur-
gents entered the city by water ways
and swamps and, in concert with con-
rElG n GiH or fa6 m
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 Admira, Dewey
and Major General Otis in establishing
peace ard order in the archipelago ana
the largest measure of self-government
compatible with the true welfare of the
people,. What they actually found can
best be set forth in their own words:
The Only Alternative.
''Deplorable az war is, the one in
which we are now engaged was una
voidable by US. We were attacked by
a bold, adventurous and enthusiastic
army. No alternative was left to us ex-
cept SYNONYMOUS 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 our
selves 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 ROW except the
prosecution of the war until the insur-
gents 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 it was possible to with
draw our forces from the islands either
with honor to ourselves or with safety
TO the inhabitants
Must Put Rebellion Down.
The course thus clearly indicated has
been unfiinchingly pursued. The rebel
lion must be put down. Civil govern
ment cannot be thoroughly established
until order is restored With a devotion
and gallantry worthy of it's most bril-
liant history, the army, ably and 10y
ally assisted by the navy has carried
on this unwelcome but most righteous
campaign with richly deserved success.
The noble self-sacrifice with which SOL
diers and sailors whose terms of service
had expired, refused to avail themselves
Of their right to return home as long
as they were needed at the front forms
one of the brightest pages in our an
mails. Although their operations have
been somewhat interrupted and check
ed by a rainy season CT unusual vio-
fence and duration, they have gained
ground steadily in every direction and
now look forward confidently to a
speedy completion of their task
The unfavorable circun. stances con-
nected with an active campaign have
not been permitted to interfere with the
equally important work of reconstruc-
ton. Again / invite your attention to
the report of the commissioners for the
interesting and encouraging details OF
the work already accomplished in the
establishment of peace and orde. and
the Inauguration of elf-governing mu-
nicipal life in many portions of the
archipelago.
In Island of Negroes.
A notable beginning has been made
in the establishment of government
in the island of Negros which is deserv-
ing of special consideration. This WAS
the first island to accept American SOW
ereiglFty. It's people unreservetly pro-
claimed allegiance to the United States
and adopted a constitution looking to
the establishment OF popular govern
mens.
1t was impossible to guarantee 10 the
people of Negroes that the constitution
so 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 exclusively under the jurisdiction
of congress. The government actually
set up by the inhabitants of Negroes
eventually proved unsatisfactory TO the
NATIVES themselves. A new system was