The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-03
And n Brief History Of Events Preced-
Ing the Spanish Wa and Develop
mcpts since May 4, 1S9S.
DEALINGS WITH AGUINALD0
MEMORANDUM on THE SUBJECT FUR
NIsRED BY ADMIRAL DEWEY.
Filipinos Capable Of Making Good Cit
ixens, hut Not Yet Fitted for
SeIf-Government.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2-The prelimin-
ary report of the Philippine commits
sion, presented to the President to-
day, a very complete synopsis OF which is
given to the public Is regarded In Wash
ington as a powerful document. II repre-
sents a painstaking investigation by we'll
qualified men into an exceedingly compu-
Gated interesting and vitality important
subject. The Washington judgment Is that
it will produce a profound impression on
the pubic mind and will set the people
right on many points concerning the Phil
;ppine situation about which there has been
doubt and controversy. That men OF ad-
verse and independent political views should
have agreed in their conclusions in the
Philippine question Is accepted as extraor-
binary confirmation of the theory that it
has really but one side at the present writ
ing and can have only so long the
Tagals remain in a state Of rebellion.
The report, as made public. appears TO
be compact summary of conditions on the
islands when the committee left; OF the his
torical events which preceded the Spanish
war. and led to the original Filipino insur-
rectlon; Of the exchanges between Admiral
Dewey and the other American commanders
progress of the present insurrection: and.
finally, a statement of the capacity of the
Filipinos for self-government. A notable
fea ture of the report is a memorandum by
Admiral Dewey, explanatory OF his rela-
tions with Aguinaldo. t
The report begins with the following
statement: "The undersigned commission
ers, appointed by you TO investigate affairs
In the Philippine islands and TO report the
result Of their Investigations. together with
such recommendations as might in their
judgment be called for by the conditions
which should be found to exist in the
islands, have the honor 10 submit the fol-
lowing preliminary statement in compliance
with your request"
The commission next tells briefly how IL
conducted the task intrusted TO IL, hearing
statements from all classes Of people I'm
Manila as to the capabilities of the Fflipinos
for self-government, the habits and cus-
toms of the people, and also the establish
ment OF municipal governments in many
towns All this matter is to be included In
| the final report.
Turning to the history OF the islands. the
commission attaches little importance TO
the divers rebellions which had preceded
| that of 1896. AS TO this movement they de-
| clare that II was in no sense an attempt TO
win independence, but solely to obtain re-
| lief from intolerable abuses. To sustain
| this statement they quote from an insurgent
proclamation, showing that what was de-
| manded was the expulsion of the friars and
the restitution to the people of their lands.
! with a division of episcopal sees between
| Spanish and native priests. II was also de-
manded that the Filipinos have parliament
| tary representation, freedom OF the press.
| religious federation, economic autonomy and
laws similar to those OF Spain. The aboli-
ton of the power of Punishment was de-
manded, with a legal equality for all per-
sons in law and equality in pay between
| Spanish and native civil servants.
| DEMANDS HAD GOOD GROUNDS
The commission declares that the demands
| had good ground: that on paper the Span
| ish system Of government was tolerable,
but in practice every Spanish Governor did
what he saw fit and the evil deeds Of men
in the government were hidden from Spain
by strict press censorship Allusion is made
to the powerful katipunan Society. pat
termed on the Masonic order, and mainly
made up of Tagalos, as a powerful revo-
! lutiorary force.
The war begun in 1896 was terminated by
the treaty Of Biac-Na-Bate. The Filipinos
were numerous. but possessed only about
! 500 small arms. The Spanish felt that it
| would require 10000 men TO capture their
| stronghold, and concluded 10 resort TO the
| use of money. Certain concessions were
! also decided upon, including representation
! OF the Filipinos in the Cortes the deporta-
ton OF the friars, which was the principal
question; the grant of the right OF associa-
| tion and of u free press. Governor General
Rivera was willing 10 pay 100000 in Nex-
lean silver when Aguinsldo and his Cabinet
and leading officers arrived in Hong-Korg.
1t appears, however. that Paterno only Of
| fered the latter 10000, $4,000 10 be paid
when Aguinaldo arrived at Hong-xong AMI
the balance when the Filipinos had deliv-
cred up their arms. The arrangement was
not acceptable TO the people.
The promises were never carried out.
| Spanish abuses began afresh, in Mani,
alone mora than two hundred men bend
executed. Hence sporadic risings occurred.
though they possessed nothing like the
strength OF the original movement. The In
! surgents lacked arms, ammunition and lead
ers. The treaty had ended the war. which.
with the exception OF an unimportant out
! break In Cebu had been confined 20 Luzon.
| suain's sovereignty in the other islands
| never having been I'm question. and the
thought OF independence never having been
| entertained
The report then tells how General Angus
tine came TO Manila as governor general OF
| this iuncture and war broke out between
| snain and the United States. Augustine
sought 20 secure the support of the Filipinos
| IN defend Spain against America. promising
them autonosny. but the Filiplnos did not
| trust him. Then came the LIST OF May and
the destruction OF the Spanish aeet by