The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-05-26
Lieut.. Henry RACES observations Of
the EIltnfDaS.

Lieut.. Henry Page, son of Judge Page, of IN,
| Court of Appeals. who is occupy ing n post n
-urgcon in the Eighth army corps ut Manila, il
| 4 recent letter 10 the fhicag0 RecOrd. gives tn,
| following interesting observations of Filipino
characteristics and glimpscs of native govern
lnent under Aguinaldo:
| After Il Stay of about eight months among
| these people, during which time no opportuni
| ~ has been lost 10 study their qualities, fine
| myself still unable to express Ii decided opinion
| about the matter, but ! can unrescryedly affirm
| that the more evidence collected the greater
my respect Tor the native and his capacities.
| 1.-The recent hattie of February was some
what of n revelation to Americans. They ex-
pected the motley horde to run at the firing of
| the first gun. 1t was my good fortune TO be
paced-about 10 hours uitcrward-near the
spot where the first gun was tired. / found the
Americans still held III check. Our artillery
then began to assail the cnemy's position, and
it was only by the stoutest kind of lighting that
the Tennessee and Nebraska regiments were
able to drive him out.
"'The Fiipinos' retreat, however, was more
creditable than heir stand. Perfect order pre-
vailed. One of their comp anies would hold our
advance until the company in their rear could
retire and reload, whcI in turn this company
would stand until the former had retired and
rcioaded. A frequent exclamation along our
lines was: Haven't these little fellows got
grit They mad more than grit they had
organization.
when we reached the headquar ters at Santa
Ana another surprise awaited ia, for here was
found some of the machinery OF Aguinaldos
government. Among the papers scattered
about i'll confusion by the retreating officials
were tclegrams, letters and commissions. show
ing something of their system. One letter was
from township governor asking relief
from his duties; surgeons certificate was in
closed. 1t had been forwardt d through official
channels to AguInaldo' S Secretary of State and
returned with abundant Endorsements APP
proved. With it was an order to the govern
or of the province to have Il new election.
Another letter was Il complaint made against
another local governor for maiadmnistration.
1t stated the charges in real legal form, and
was duly signed. The numerous papers con-
corning school teachers appointments showed
that the Filipinos had already perfected
arrangements for the education of the youth
on large scale.
II might also mention the deeds of property,
records OF births, ETC., to show that Aguinaldo's
organization is at least not II laughable farce.
might mention also meteorological and other
scientific instruments and records to show that
the Fiipinos didn neglect science during those
busy, warlike times. Letters dated February
/, from Malolos. showed that they had a good
courier system. A book on tactics, engravings
of several uniforms, besutiful Typographical
maps copies of the declaration of indeDendence
and the revolutionary constitution, military
and State seals and other articles all went to
show that labor and intelligence were united
in their production. c
Each village contains the oid-fashioned
stocks and whipping posts, which are worn
smooth by much usage. The petty criminals
are confined in the 'calaboza,' or jail at night,
AID during the day they clean the streets and
80 other public work. And this work ia well
done, for nearly all the towns are we'll ditched
and are quite clean. The village governor also
keeps written record Of everything pertaining
20 the public interests. Births, deaths, inven-
tories of real estate transfers of property
ownership of live stock. and everything else
that is taxable is registered in neatly arranged
columns.
I'm each town q church, a convent, or priests
home, u tribunal which is court house, Jail
and record office all in one, and a school, con-
stitute the public buildings. The schools were
neat, substantial buildings, which testified that
the Spanish made an honest effort to educate
the masses. The Filipino is very anxious to
learn, and the new government of Aguinaldo
used every effort to start afresh these schools.
The number of natives who speak Spanish as
we'll as their native tongue, and who also know
how to read and write, is remarkable. No
School teacher has been appointed in San Jose.
and the school buildings are held by the Amer
lean officers. In spite of this encouragement
there is private school furnishing in native
hut.
The educated and polished Filipino is not at
all Il bad fellow. He ia very quick to compre-
hand and he possesses a peculiar dexterity in
accomplishing his work. He is, among other
Things, Il natural musician. The negro race is
called musical. but the Filipino also possesses
the soul of music and can easily rise to lofty
heights. When l sec these ragged bcggars
playing selections from Faust 'Rigoletto,'
Carmen and 'Tannuhauser' on homemade in
s1ruments, with an expression and touch like u
German orchestra, l am impelled to believe
that there is somewhere an undeveloped capa-
city. Such music does not dwell il mind
barren of all else save music. Such music ap-
rcals alone to higher qualities, undevelopei
though they may be-"