Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-01-27
Grnua Condttions.

he now desires to call the attention OF
the secretary to certain conditions which,
In his opinion, require immediate allevia-
ton. There are, he says, AT the present
time, 10000 American troops at Manila con-
trolling a population of about 100000. "A
number of war vessels are stationed In the
harbor, and many other American men-of-
wal and transports are to be found with
in the archipelago. although the actual pos
session Of he American troops extends
over not to exceed 143 square miles out of
more thar zoe, 900. Despite the enormous
forces now in this extremely circumscribed
area we are informed through the public
prints that other vessels of war W. been
ordered from distant parts of the globe to
reinforce those now among the islands In
question, while a few days ago a transport
sailed from New York city, carrying about
1000 soldiers. and having Manila as Its des-
tination. and as we are further informed reg
iments oftroops are under orders to proceed
by way of San Francisco to the Philippines.
The public prints inform us, also, that an
attack is contemplated upon the Philippine
islands; the islands to be taken in detail,
the smaller ones first, the larger ones block
AIDED, so that they may not assist those first
attacked" He says that 1t is naturally the
impression of his government and people
that these warlike preparations indicate
existing or immediate military operations
in the orient, and they readily conceive
that 1t must be contemplated that such OPP
erations are to be levelled at the existing
government OF the Philippines.
No Need Of Warlike Activity.
AS to the representation Of the Philip
pine government, he continues: 81 hesitate
to give a decision to this idea, for / cannot
believe that there is any present or future
difficulty between the American and Phil
ippine governments just'fying warlike ac-
~tivities, and as a believer in the humanity
of the American people, refuse to acquiesce
in the idea that America designs war upon
the Philippine islands," He points out the
fac that butlatelyth United States and the
Philippine government Ave been associ-
ated in a conflict against a common enemy,
the United States accomplishing its pur-
pose by the expulsion Of Spain from the
West Indies, while the desire of the Phil
ippine republic has been practically at
tained by the almost complete expulsion of
the Spanish government from the Philip
pine islands; the Philippine government
now holding as prisoners of war between
5000 and 10000 Spanish soldiers, and the
Spanish possessing only a few small gar
rtsons in Isolated points of minor impor-
lance. He is therefore unable to conceive
any reason why the armies and navies of
the United States lately employed against
a common enemy should be turned against
Americas recent associate.
The United States, he says, has no active
enemy in the orient, having proclaimed an
armistice with Spain. 1t is true, he contin-
ues, that Spain has undertaken to convey
to the United States its alleged claim
against the Philippines, a claim which
Spain was not capable of enforcing, and
which never found its origin in the consent
OF the people Of those islands. IF Hs 10 ba ,est
Are my government bas Gee Of some do.
IRE on the part Of the American govern
| paent to enforce against its late associate
this exploded claim that the United States
Is massing its forces at the late capital Of
the Philippine islands?' He points out that
the Philippine Islands are in a state of or
der, possessing q government satisfactory
to their Inhabitants. and without an enemy
within their borders offering any resistance
to its operations, and are at peace with all
the world.
Should Make a Disclaimers.
He Is Bure the secretary of state will ap-
preciate, in view of the circumstances de-
tailed, the quieting. reassurGg effect upon
the minds of his c%ountrymen to result from
q disclaimer upon the part of the American
government of any Intention to attack their
liberties n independence. Continuing, he
say that, Notwithstanding the difficulty
he labors under in no having been formal
ly received, he and 1t an imperative duty
to call the attention of the secretary to the
disturbing facts enumerated, to the end
that he may receive such assurances as will
1890 A. - III ZIG u
tention of America to make war upon the
new republic of Asia, and which will ex-
plain to 1t the reason why large armies and
nav1es should be dispatched to the Phil
ippine islands, and which will relieve his
oountrymen Of the fear that now possesses
them, that their liberties are In danger at
the hands of a republic whose name they
ave always believed was associated with
freedom and to which they first came for
recognition.
He expresses his gratitude to America
for services rendered, and hopes that
friendly relations may continue, and urges
the Importance of an immediate answer.
or for Manila.
New York, Jan. 25.-President J. G.
Gchurman, of Cornell university, and
Prot. D. O. Worcester, of the University
Of Michigan, the civilian members of
the commission appointed by the pres
ident to inquire into the condition Of
the Philippine islands, left Tuesday
evening over the Canadian Pacific for
Vancouver, where they will take the
steamship Empress of Japan for Hong
Kong. From there they will go imme-
diately to Manila and will be met there
by Admiral Dewey and Gen. Otis, mem
bers of the commission. Col. Charles
DENLY, who is a member of the war in
vestigation commission, will not be
able to start for the Philippines for at
least two weeks, as the investigation
commissions work will detain him.
Think we Have Our Hands Full.
Madrid, Jan. 25.-The Impartial says:
ALI the intelligence from the Philip
pine islands shows that the Americans
recognize their inability to overcome
the insurgents in the island of Luzon
and the Visayas. The Filipinos under
stand that the Americans wish to tyran-
nize over them and exploit them as the
Spaniards never did. The Americans
intended to exercise their power mere
ly at the important ports, but they are
already convinced that such a DONNA
ton would not be efiicacious. They
would be constantly fighting the insur-
gents and the latter would soon put an
end to the Americans, as the Filipinos
have on their side not only bullets, but
the climate and the enormous expendi-
ture the situation will entail on the
Americans. This explains Washing
tons desire to first get the treaty of
Paris voted, and then open negotia-
tioEs with thu rebel Ghiefs in order to