Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-08-16

mi United states forces: command
ed by Admiral Dewey, on May
In order to become informed upon
the condition Of affairs in the Philip
pines, President Mckinley, on Jan. 20,
1899, appointed a commission com"
posed Of President ]. G. Schurman, of
Cornell University; Professor Dean,
Worcester; Charles DENLY, late Min
lister to China; Admiral Dewey and
General Otis. The commission handed
its report to President Mckinley Nov.
2, 1899, and the same was transmitted
to Congress by the President, Feb. 2,
1900. 1t reads in part as follows:
"The undersigned commissioners APP
pointed 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 con-
ditions which should be found to exist
In these islands, have the honor to sub
NIT the following preliminary statement
I'm compliance with your request"
It conducted the task intrusted to it,
hearing statements from all classes of
people In Manila as to the capabilities of
the Filipinos for self-government, the
habits and customs of the people, and
also the establishment of municipal gov
ernments In many towns.
History of Islands.
Turning to the history of the islands,
the commission attaches little Importance
to the divers rebellions which had pre-
coded that of 1896. As to this move
ment the commissioners declare that it
was in no sense an attempt to win indie
pendence but solely to obtain relief from
intolerable abuses.
TO sustain this statement they quote
from an insurgent proclamation, show
ing that what was demanded was the ex-
pulson of the friars and the restitution
to the people of their lands, with a di-
vision of the episcopal sees between
Spanish and native priests. 1t was also
demanded that the Filipinos have parlia-
mentary representation, freedom Of the
>pSess. religious liberation, economic au-
ton8my, ard laws similar to those of
Spain. The abolition of the power Of
Punishment vas demanded, with legal
equality for all persons in law and equal
ity in pay between Spanish and native
civil servants.
Treaty with Spanish.
The commission declares that these de-
m6hds had good ground: that on paper
the Spanish 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 f.H& Spain by strict press censor
ship. AGsNon is made to the powerful
KatinEnan Society, patterned on the Ma
sonic order, ana mainly made up Of Ia
EaloS, as powerful revolutionary force.
The war begtln in 1896 was terminated
BY 4he treaty OF Blac-na-Bate. The Fill
p'lBs were numerous, but possessed only
about 800 small frms. The Spanish felt
that 1t would REQUIRE 100, 900 men to cap
ture their stronghold, and concluded to
resort to the use OF money. Certain con-
cessions werk also decided upon, includ-
ing represent ion Of the Filipinos in the
Cortes, deportation of the friars,
which Wa principal question; the
grant !: q GIT of association and Of
PROMISES Not Kept.
Governor General Rivera was willing
60 pay $2,000,00O in Mexican money
when Aguinal do and his cabinet and lead
Ing officers arrived in Hong Kong. 1t APP
pears, however, that Palermo offered the
latter only $aOO, 900, $500, 900 to be paid
when Aguinaldo arrived at Hong Kong
and the balance when the Filipinos had
delivered up their arms. The arrange
ment was mot acceptable to the people.
~ cd
nish, abuses began afresh, in Manila
he more than 200 men being execut-
Hence sporadic risings occurred,
ugh they possessed nothing like the
myth Of the original movement. The
irgents lacked arms, ammunition and
1ers. ;
'he treaty had ended the war, which,
h the exception of an unimportant
break in Cebu, had been confined to
lion, SPANS sovereignty in the other
ands never having been questioned, and
4e thought of independence never hav-
be- been entertained.
Dewey aud AguinaIdo.
The report then tells how Gen. Angus
hno came to Manila as governor general
this juncture and war broke out be-
yeen Spain and the United States. Au-
gstino sought to secure the support Of
Filipinos to defend Spain against
erica, promising them autonomy, but
Cilipinos did not trust him.
EN- came the LIST Of May and the de-
pn Of the Spanish feet by Dewey,
he resulting loss of prestige to
Then in June Aguinaldo came.
point the commission says:
following memorandum on this