The record-union., 1899-12-06

inhabitants
These gentlemen were DR.. Jacob
Gould Schurman, President of Cornell
University; the Hon. Charles DENLY,
for many years Minister to China, and
Professor Dean Worcester Of the Unt-
versity of Michigan, who had made
most careful study of life in the Phil
ippines. While the treaty Of peace was
under consideration in the Senate these
commissioners set out on their mission
of good will and liberation. Their
character was a sufficient guaranty Of
the beneficent purpose with which they
went, even if they had not the positive
instructions of this Government which
made their errand pre- eminently one
of peace and friendship.
AGUINALDO STARTED THE
TROUBLE.
But before their arrival at Manila the
sinister ambition of few leaders of
the Fflipinos had created a. situation
full of embarrassments for US, and
most grievous in it's consequences to
themselves The clear and impartial
preliminary report of the Commission
ers, which transmit herewith, gives so
lucid and comprehensive a history of
that the story need not be here repeat
ed. 1t Is enough. to say that the
claim of the rebel leader that he was
promised independence by any officer
of the United States in return for his
assistance has no foundation in fact,
and is categorically denied by the very
witnesses who were called to prove it,
The most the insurgent leader hoped
for when he came back to Manila. was
the liberation of the islands from Span
ish control, which they had been labor
ing for years without success to throw
Off
The prompt accomplishment of this
work by the American army and navy
gave him other ideas and ambitions
and insidious suggestions from various
quarters perverted the purposes and
intentions with which he had taken up
arms. No sooner had our army cap
tured Manila than the Filipino forces
began to assume an attitude~of suspic-
lon and hostility, which the utmost ef-
forts Of our officers and troops were
unable to disarm or modify. Their
kindness and forbearance was taken
as a proof of cowardice. The aggres-
sions of the Filipinos continually in
creased, until finally, just before the
time set by the Senate of the United
States for vote upon the treaty, an
attack, evidently prepared in advance,
was made all along the American lines,
which resulted in terribly destructive
and sanguinary repulse OF the insur-
gents.
Ten days later an order of the insur-
WINS iccsn aA RI &c a.
herents who had remained in Manila.
of which General Otis justly observes
that for barbarous intent it is un-
equalled in modern times" 1t directs
that at o'clock at night of the 10th
of February the territorial militia shall
come together in the streets of San
Pedro, armed with their bolos, with
guns and ammunition where convent
ent; that Filipino families only shall
be respected but that all other indi-
viduals, of whatever race they may be,
shall be exterminated without any COM
passion, after the determination of the
army of occupation, and adds:
Brothers, we must avenge ourselves
on the Americans and exterminate
them, that we may take our revenge
for the infamies and treacheries which
they have committed upon us. Have
no compassion upon them; attack with
vigor."
A copy of this fell, by good fortune,
into the hands of our officers, and they
We're able to take measures to control
the rising, which was actually at
tempted on the night of February Odd
week later than was originally con-
templated. A considerable number Of
armed insurgents entered the city by
waterways and swamps, and, in con-
cert with confederates inside, attempt
ed to destroy Manila by fire. They
were kept in check during the night,
and the next day driven out of the city
with heavy loss.
REBELS MUST BE REDUCED TO
SUBMISSION.
This was the unhappy condition of
affairs which confronted our Commits
sioners on their arrival in Manila. They
had come with the hope and intention
Of cooperating with Admiral Dewey,
and assisting General Otis in estab-
fishing peace and order in the archipel-
ago and largest measure of self-gov-
eminent compatible with the true well
fare of the people. What they act
ually found can best be set forth in
their own words:
"Deplorable as war is, the one in
which we are now engaged was una
voidable by us. We were attacked by
a bold, adventurous and enthusiastic
army. No alternative was left to US
except retreat.
1T is not to be conceived of that any
American would have sanctioned the
surrender of Manila to the insurgents.
Our obligations to other nations and
to the friendly Filipinos and to our
selves and our flag demanded that force
should be met by force. Whatever the
future of the Philippines may be, there
is no course open to us now except the
prosecution of the war until the insur-
gents are reduced to submission The
commission is of the opinion that there
has been no time since the destruction
of the Spanish squadron by Admiral
Dewey when it was possible to with
draw our forces from the islands, eth
er with honor to ourselves or with safe
ty to the inhabitants"
A RIGHTEOUS CAMPAIGN.
The course thus clearly indicated has
been unfinchingly pursued. The re-
bellion must be put down. Civil gov
eminent cannot be thoroughly estab-
lished until order is restored. With
devotion and gallantry worthy of it's
most brilliant history, the army. ably
and Loyalty assisted by the navy, has
carried on this unwelcone, but most
righteous campaign, with richly de-
served success. The noble self sacrifice