The Bemidji pioneer., 1900-08-16
them liberties which they had never be-
fore enjoyed. This scheme was adopted

them liberties which they had never be-
fore enjoyed. This scheme was adopted
and gave general satisfaction.
In every instance enthusiasm ran high
before the commissioners took their de-
parture, and cheers were raised for Gen.
Lawton and for the country which he
represented
Secure Good Results.
With a single exception the officials
elected proved worthy of the trust impos-
ed in them, and conditions very rapidly
improved in the newly organized towns.
Governments were organized with more
satisfactory results in Pandacan, Santa
Ana. San Felipe, Meri, San Pedro and
Machei, while slightly different system
was put into effect in Malahon, Polo,
Obando, Meycauya, Yang and Malolas.
The commission states that large
amount of supervision over the affairs OF
our new municipalities proved necessary,
as the officials were timid and slow to
comprehend their new duties. AT many
of the elections the voters went about
asking who they were expected to vote
for and it was only with great difti-
Guilty that they were persuaded to exer-
else the right Of free suffrage.
Schools for Manila.
The commissioners sum up the situa"
ton at the time Of their departure as
follows:
When we left Manila large volume
Of business was being done, and the
streets were so crowded as to be hardly
safe. The native population was quiet
and orderly and all fear Of an uprising
had long since passed. An efficient corps
Of native policemen was on duty. A
system Of public schools in which English
was taught had been advocated by the
commission and established by Gen. Otis.
Some 6,000 scholars were in attendance,
In the Tagalo provinces Of Lnzon,
where the anti-American feeling had been
strongest, public sentiment had greatly
changed. as evidenced by the fact that
the military governor Of Batangas had
offered 70 surrender his troops and his
province il we would only send small
force there. The Ricols. in southern Luz
ION, had risen against their Tagalo mas
tiers. The Macabebes were clamoring FOR
an opportunity to fight in our ranks, and
native soldiers and scouts were already
serving under Gen. Lawton.
Rebellion Dying Ont.
Stories of the corruption Of insurgent
officers were becoming daily more COM
mon, and the disintegration Of the enc
my's forces was steadily progressing. The
hope Of assistance from outside sources
seemed to be all that held them togeth.
err
Having given so much attention to the
Island Of Luzon, the commission then
takes up in detail the conditions in the
other islands. On this point it is stated
that the rebellion is essentially Tagalo,
and when it ends i'll Luzon it must end
| throughout the archipelago. The situa-
ton elsewhere than in Luzon is summed
| up as follows:
.sThe only island. apart from Luzon,
! where serious trouble threatens. is Pa
nay, to which considerable force Of Ia
| gallo soldiers was sent before the out.
break Of hostilities. Many OF the Visay.
| ans Of this island are opposed to the Ia
| galos, however, and it is not believed
| that the latter can make a formidable
resistance.
Oppose the Tagaios.
| In Samar, Leyte and Masbate the TIA
gallo invaders are numerically few ant
! are disliked by the natives or these isl
ands, whom they have oppressed. W.
were assured that 200 men would suffice
to restore order in Mindora- Bobol was
asking Tor troops. The Calamianes isl
anders had sent word that they would
welcome us. There can be no resistance
in Palawan. Satisfactory relations had
already been established with the war
like Moros, whose sultan had previously
been conciliated by member OF the com
| mission, and in AIindanao this tribe had
| even taken up onr cause and attacked
the insurgents, OF whom there are very
few in the island.
| I'm Cehu we have only to reckon with
| the lawless element, which has never
| been very formidable there
| Special attention is given to the Island
of Negros, as this seemed a field well
adapted to the extension of an American
system. Here the natives have adopted
a local form of government. including q
congress, and had raised the American
flag. They believed themselves capable
Of managing their own affairs and asked
for battalion Of troops to hold in check
mountainous band Of fanatics. The
battalion was furnished, but the people
proved unable to carry out their program
owing to Ill feeling among their own off
Gals. The Americans remained popular
Need American Rufe.
At the request Of Gen. Otis new and
simplified scheme OF government for the
island, giving the people a large voice in
their affairs, but placing an American in
full control, was put into operation. II
brought about satisfaction, and public or.
der is better in the island to-day than nj
any time during the last twenty years.
Summarizing the failure Of the native
form of government and the success OF
the American control, the commission
says:
THE fiat failure of this attempt to es.
tablish an independent native government
in Segros, conducted Ms II was under the
most favorable circumstances, makes il
apparent that here, as well as in the less
favored provinces, a large amount OF
American control is at present absolutely
essential to successful administration
of public affairs"
Efforts for Peace.
The efforts at Cancellation with Agui-
naldo and his various commissions are
set forth in detail. These commissioners
~ q.