Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-13
Are the Fillpin0S Fit For In
dependence
ALL OF THOSE HEARD. AGAINST 1T.
They Say II Would Result in
Chnos, Endless Tribal Wars, and
European Intervcntion-Tagn OPP
preston Worse Than Spnin's.

|
States Philippine Commission Is hearing
the leading residents of various nation
alities, priests. and spaniards, numbers
of them appearing voluntarily. on the
subject Of the future Of the islands. The
questions put TO them all are:
'Do you believe the Filipinos are capa-
bic Of self-government in the townships?'
DO YOU believe the Fillpinos are capa-
BILE Of sef-government in the provinces ?'
DO YOU believe the Filipinos are capa-
bic Of self-government in the archipe-
lago?"
ALL AGAINST INDEPENDENCE.
All of those that have been interro-
gated, including Filipinos who sympa-
thize theoretically with independence.
have replied to the third question with
remarkable unanimity in the negative.
Independence, they say, would result IN
chaos. endless tribal wars, and European
Intervention.
few of them think that provincial
self-government is practicable, but most
of them favor self-government in the
! townships only, with form Of American
supervision protecting the inhabitants
/ against the populations and extottions
which their experience with the Spanish
regime has led them to consider the natu-
raj perquisites Of oficialdom.
TAGAL OPPRESSION.
The commercial classes urge the send
ing OF detachments Of American troops,
each numbering about one hundred men,
to take possession of the towns in the
southern provinces and in the Visayas
Islands, now held by small bands of
Tagalos. They declare the natives find
the Tagalo oppression worse than Span
ish oppression, and that they will well
come the Americans. The case OF the in
habitants OF Gubat. i'm the province OF
SOrSogOn. Is cited as q typical instance.
The Spanish taxes there amounted TO
$4,000. but the rebel TagalOs extOrt $l12,-
600 from the people. Aguinaldo's brother
in-law. the provincial governor is said
TO be despoiing the people numerically.
LUNA RETURNS TO COMMAND.
General Luna, who retired from the
command OF the Filipino forces and VINO
was editing newspapers at San Francisco
del Monte his retirement being due 10
the fact that the Filipinos rebeled
against his rigid discipline. has been re-
called to the command. This is taken as
showing that the rebel army is only kept
together by harsh measures.
FILIPINO PROCLAMATION.
HONGKONG, April 12-The Filipino
Junta here regards the proclamation of
the United States Philippine Commission
as being Objectionable, and has issued Il
grandiloquent statement TO the effect that |
il is tissue of generalities, bristles |
with Pharisaism and cant, vaguely pro-
misses much and grants nothing to the !
Filipinos who are tired of promises and |
surfeited with Spanish promises similar |
to those of the Americans"
Continuing, the statement reads
OUR PROMISES "ONLY a MASK"
"The proclamation proves that the fair !
promises Of independence under protec- |
torate. and President McKinleys declara-
ton of the objects of the Spanish war
were only a mask of humanitarianism TO |
cover the real intention. The invitation |
of the United States Philippine commits |
siOners TO the Filipinos TO meet them for |
an exchange of views is meaningless, as, |
during the hostilities. the representative |
Filipinos are necessarily absent from Ma
Mia. assisting the struggle for independ- !
ence.
i
1.-The Filipinos continue 10 resist vio-
lent and aggressive usurpatiOn, not be-
cause they expect a complete victory but
to emphasize their rights and to protest
against a ruthless invasion.
eve emphatcally deny that the aims |
of the American Government have been |
The proclamation Of Gen
eral Otis's showed those aims clearly.
SALE OF THE ISLANDS.
1--WE also deny the legality of the sale
of sovereignty over the Philippines by |
spain. and we reiterate. positively, that
the Americans began the hostilities On
February 4th.'
JAWTON PUSHING EASTWARD.
WASHINGTON. April l2.-The follow
ing cablegram has been received at the
War Department:
"Alanila. April 2-Adjutant-General.
d. c.: Yesterday, in the
Lake region. Lawton pursued insurgents
eastward from Santa Cruz dispensing
Them. Captured all the larger vessels used
M the lake trade, and Spanish gunboats.
He is now endeavoring To pass them
from q river. where they were concealed,
into the lake
"sVheaton drove enemy ten miles 10
OF railway line of communic1-
ton with Malolos. Lawton's and Whea-
on's casualties few and slight, as enemy
made no stand.
FURTHER SPANISH EVACUATIONS.
Notified by Spain that she will evacu-
lte Mindoro and Polo soon.
(Sgned) oIlS'
II is more than likely that the word
polo" in the above dispatch should
cad "Jolo." which is the designation
sometimes given the Sulu group Of is
ands. Spain has had garrison at Min
Ioro and Jolo and 1t Is probable that she
5 now ready to remove her soldiers.
THE RELIEF REACHES MANILA.
WASHINGTON. April 12.-The follow
ne dispatch has been received at the War {
Manila, April .-Adjutant-General.
The relief arrived. All
YELL Otis.
WOULDN'T WATT TO BE KILLED"