Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1899-02-15

carefully secured and maintained;
and there is no reason to suppose
that she would depart from this ben
eficent policy in her relations with
her new colony in the east, viz, the
Philippines. Nevertheless il has been
manifest, ever since the title TO this
archipelago passed by purchase from
Spain to the United States, that the
FilipinOs have conceived IA sore dis
like for America and everything Amer
lean. For weeks the warcloud has
been gathering, and its bursting can
only be prevented by u miracle. Many
OF the Americans deplore war rs a
terrible evil; while others, | believe,
are endeavoring to promote 1t by
every means in their power.
think that the only solution OF
the present situation can befurnished
10y Aguinaldo, a mar whose word is
as absolute as that of n Roman die
tator and whom his deluded f. low
ers worship ms a demi-gOd. Their de-
votion for their ambitious chieftain
would be ridiculous, were it not So
simple and pathetic; he is To them
what Joseph Smith was to the Nor
mons, or what Washington was to
the American patriots. Their love
for him causes the insurgents to
clothe "our most worthy president,
Aguinaldo," with supernatural at
tributes, and the natives all believe
that bullets will fall from his person,
leaving him unframed. There are
said to be factions among the in
surgents even Of Luzon, and that
many do not acknow Wedge the sway
of Aguinaldo, but | am convinced
that he exercises more influence than
all Of the non-cOnfOrmists put to-
gether.
When he stilities between the United
States and Spain ceased, an armis-
tice having been declared, Aguinaldo
did not remain inactive. He could
not, of course, foresee how the peace
conference would settle the Philip
pine question, but he did know very
well that, come what might, indie
pendence would not be granted to
these islands. Independence, how
ever, il exactly what the revolution
airy government is ~contendiDg for,
and has contended for, and nothing
short Of this impossible concession
will satisfy the Filipinos. The in
surgent officers have been recruiting
up their army rapidly and by this
time must have a large force. Al
most nightly Aguinaldo's war ba-
looms can be seen lowering over the
mountain tops, being used as signals
to his men to concentrate at a GER
tain point. The insurgents have
been smuggling arms and ammuni-
ton up the Pasig river in spite OF the
watchfulness OF the American III
thorities, until all Of them are now
well armed with either Remington or
Mauser rifles.
AT the present writing the insurg-
ents haye their lines pushed up close
to the city and are carefully watch
ing every move of the Americans.
Whether OF not IL Is their intention
~to'invest the city and attack it, il is
impossible to say, but certain ii il
that their actions would justify such
a belief. They evidently intend mis-
chief. The army authorities here are
not taking any chances with them,
at any rate. They are strengthening
our outposts whenever and wherever
1t appears necessary, and have con.
nected them with headquarters by
: telegraph. This places them in con-
slant communication with the re-
hottest sentinels. The result IN that,
: when trouble is expected, no time is
lost in hurrying troops to the scene.
A few days ago theinsurgents threat
ened to occupy "A certain important
bridge, situated in the outskirts Of
the city, but were checkmated by the
prompt appearance of three regi-
ments all ready for business. The
night before last more friction oc-
Cured. am unable to state what
caused the excitement, but it was Of
such a serious nature that the Mon
tana boys were called to arms at
ll:3O at night. Time will tell whether
or not am right in my opinion, but
the conviction grows upon me daily
that the insurgents mediate mis-
chief. OF course, "A war with them
can have but one result, and while
some of them may have intelligence
enough to know this fact, ii seems
useless to try to appease them In any
other manner. The situation is des-
perate, and a crisis may now be
looked for at almost any time.
The result Gf the November cleo
tions surprised megreatly. Without
having much knowledge upon the
subject, / believe the Republican suc-
cpssps nre accented Az an Indication