The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-09-11

gation Of which Palermo was pus in jail
"a month ago. II was his intention 20
bring the American military anihorities
and the Civil Commission 20 the banquet
and then mrke speeches In spanish for
Filipino Independence The control Of the
banquet the festivities and evcrythiug
pertaining thereto were Ia the hands OF
the military authorities; che Commission
had nothing 20 do with the matter. they
were invited guests and nothing more.
Up TO the last moment the military
authorities were ignorant Of tho coup con-
tcmplated by Palermo. on the afternoon
Of the day Of the banquet the Commission
received. from excellent authority, true
Information az TO the nature Of the
speeches TO be given that evening. Judge
Taft then wrote 10 Pedro patefno say1ng.
In substance. that IN view Of the nature
Of the proposed political uttcranees, tho
Commission regretted they could not al
tend the banquet.
The Commission had nos been invited to
speak: they would have either had 10 sit
ana listen TO Palermo and HIS followers
and By their passivenees lend aoquies-
cence 60 the opinions expressed. or they
would have hid 10 leave the builshng.
Tho Commission could not be q party 60
the misrepresentation entaiied IN speeches
advocating Filipino independence undcr
declined to attend tho gathering repre-
scented as commemorative OF the amnesty
decree
The fact that the nature % Pateruo's
speeches had been learned hy the Commits
sion came to Gen MacArthur's ears and
as soon a. Palermo received Judge Taft'o
letter q regrets he repaired 10 che Ameri-
can Generals residence at Maiacsnan. ar
irving there about half-past seven. Here
hF faIN kn
unless Judge Taft would attend. paterno
Immediately hurried 20 Judge Taftr house.
IN Malate promised Judge Taft that no
speeches would be made whatever AZ the
dinner and implored the Judge % recon
slider his determination and attend; that Il
he would nos DO 80 the banquet would
have 70 be suspended. Upon these repre-
scntati0ns Judge Taft agreed to 70 and
arrived az the theater a. $50 p. m Tho
result Of the banquet has already been
given
lie Deceived the Authorities.
This unfortunate occurrence. which. IL
Is claimed. could have been prevented II
tho military authorities had not trusted
Palermo, but had themselves ascertained
the true inwardness o. hls actions has
created an unfavorabio though probably
not lasting impression II n plain that
Palermo deceived the authorities ~ to his
true Intentions with regard 20 the cele-
bratiou. that he deceived his own people
into a belief that his fiesta was In com
rnemoration Of Filipino Independence. ana
that, had the American officers and com
misslonsrs gone on bindiy. he would have
uttered arguments 10 which they could
not passive.y listen. They could have
stopped the banquet hy force II need be-
or they could have retired. IN either case
Palermo would have been provided with
weapon against them. Paterno Is to-
day saying the banquet was q failure be-
cause Of the Americans dscourtesy. but
does not go very far because u may be-
decided that IN the deception he attempt
I'd. and. In a measure. did practice. he
has violated his oath OF allegiance 20 the
United States, IN which case his punish
ment could be severe. lie is now distrnsi-
ga by both the American civil and mill
tary authorities and he has been made 20
appear somewhat ridiculous "a his own
people. The local spanish press announces
his approaching departure for Paris.
The professions announced for Sunday.
the second day OF the fiesta. were fall
ures and everybody. both Americans and
Fliipinos. were glad when this flasco OF
a fiesta was over.