The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1900-08-23
AN ANILA capitulated to the |
Iml United States forces, command
SS ed by Admiral Dewey on May |

NS7 ANILA capitulated to the
lml United States forces, command
oS ed by Admiral Dewey, on May
]. 1898.
In order to become informed upon
the condition of affairs in the Philip
pines, President Mckinley, on JAM 20
1899, appointed 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.
q 1899, and the same was transmitted
to Congress by the President, Feb. 2,
1900. 1t reads In part as follows:
"The undersigned commissioners ap-
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 to it,
hearing statements from all classes Of
people in Manila as to the capabilities Of
the Filpinos 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-
ceded that of 1896. AS to this move
ment the commissioners declare that it
was in no sense an attempt to win inde-
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-
pulsion Of the friars and the restitution
to the people of their lands, with d.
vision of the episcopal sees between
Spanish and native priests. 1t was also
demanded that the Filipinos 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 legal
equality for all persons in law and equal
fly in pay between Spanish and native
civil servants.
Treaty with Spanish.
The commission declares that these de-
mands had good ground that on paper
the Spanish system Of government was
tolerabe, 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 censor
ship. Allusion is made to the powerful
Katipunan Society, patterned on the Ma
sonic order, and mainly made up OF Ia
galos, as a powerful revolutionary force.
The war begun In 1895 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 1t would require 100000 men to cap
ture their stronghold, and concluded to
resort to the use of money. Certain con-
cessions were also decided upon, includ-
ing representation Of the Filipinos in the
Cortes, the deportation of the friars,
which was the principal question; the
grant Of the right of association and Of
free press.
Promises Not Kept.
Governor General Rivera was willing
to pay $2,OOO,OOO in Mexican money
when Agunaldo and his cabinet and lead
ing officers arrived in Hong Kong. 1t APP
pears, however, that Palermo offered the
latter only $500, 900. 100000 to be paid
when Aguinaldo arrived at Hong Kong
and the balance when the Filipinos had
delivered up their arms. The arrange
ment was not acceptable to the people.
The promises were never carried out.
Spanish abuses began afresh, In Manila
alone more than 200 men being execut-
ed. Hence sporadic risings occurred,
though they possessed nothing like the
strength of the original movement. The
insurgents lacked arms, ammunition and
leaders.
The treaty had ended the war, which,
with the exception Of an unimportant
outbreak in Cebu, had been confined to
Luzon, SPANS sovereignty in the other
islands never having been questioned, and
the thought Of independence never hay-
Ing been entertained.
Dewey .end Aguina1do.
The report then tells how Gen. Angus
tino came to Manila as governor general
at this juncture and war broke out be-
tween Spain and the United States. Au-
gustino sought to secure the support Of
the Fihpinos to defend Spain against
America, promising them autonomy, but
the Filipinos did not trust him.
Then came the LIST Of May and the de-
struction of the Spanish feet by Dewey,
with the resulting loss of prestige to
Spain. Then In June Aguinaldo came.
On this point the commission says:
"The following memorandum On this