The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1900-08-23
"a 81 ANILA capitulated to the
IMHf United States forces, command
oOS ed nv Admiral Dewey on May

An a
lNDt United States forces command
0OS ed by Admiral Dewey, on May
/. 1898
In order to become informed upon
the condition of affairs in the Philip
pines. President Mckinley, on Jan 20,
1890, appointed a commission com
posed of President J. 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 z,
1900. 1t reads in part as follows:
1.-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
in compliance with your request
The commission next tells briefly how
it conducted the task intrusted it,
hearing statements from all classes of
people in Manila to the capabilities of
the FiIipinos 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,
to the divers rebellions which had pre-
coded that of 1896. As to this move
Inent the commissioners declare that it
in sense attempt to win indie
pendence, but solely to obtain relief from
intolerable abuses
To sustain this statement they quote
from an insurgent proclama ton, show
ing that what was demanded was the ex-
pulsion the friars and the restitution
TO the people of their lands, with a di-
vision of the episcopal sees between
...-l -1-
demanded that the FiIipinos have parlia-
mentary representation, freedom of the
press, religious liberation, economic au-
tonomy, and laws similar to those of
Spain. The abolition of the power of
Punishment was demanded, with a 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-
mands had good ground: that paper
the Spanish system of government was
toIerable, but in practice every Spanish
governor did what he fit. and the
evil deeds of men in the government were
hidden from Spain by strict press censor
ship. Allusion is made to the powerful
Katipunan Society. patterned on the Ma
sonic order, and mainly made up of Ia
galos, powerful revolutionary force
The begun in 1896 was terminated
by the treaty of Blac-na-Bate. The Fill
pinos were numerous. but possessed only
about 800 small arms The Spanish felt
that it would require 100000 men to cap
ture their stronghold. and concluded tc
resort to the of money. Certain con
cessions were also decided upon. includ
ing representation of the Eilipinos in the
Cortes, the deportation of the friars
which the principal question; the
grant of the right of association and of
free press
Promises Not Kept.
Governor General Rivera willing
TO pay s.. 600. 900 in Mexican money
when Aguinaldo and his cabinet and lead
ing officers arrived in Hong Kong 1t ap
pears, however. that Palermo offered tn,
latter only $500. 900, 5000, 600 to be paiC
when Aguinaldo arrived at Hong Koni
and the balance when the FiIipinos haC
delivered up their arms The arrange
ment was not acceptable to the people
The promises were never carried out
Spanish abuses began afresh. in Manil;
alone more than 200 men being execut
ed. Hence sporadic risings occurred
though they possessed nothing like tn
strength of the original movement. TIL
insurgents lacked arms, ammunition an,
leaders
The treaty had ended the war. which
with the exception of an unimportan
outbreak in Cebu, had been confined I
Luzon, SPANS sovereignty in the othe
islands never having been questioned. an
the thought of independence never hav
ing been entertained
Dewey and AEuinaIdo.
The report then tells how Gen Angus
tino came to Manila a. governor genera
at this juncture and war broke out be
tween Spain and the United States Al
gustino sought to secure the support o
the Filipinos to defend Spain agains
America, promising them autonomy, bu
the Filipinos did not trust him.
Then came the 1st of May and the de
struction of the Spanish feet by Dewey
Spain Then in June Aguinaldo came
On this point the commission says
s'The following memorandum thi