The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-09-11
CELEBRATION WAS A FAILURE.
PEDRO PATERNO's PLANS TOWARD
sELF-ADVANCEMEN

rncr Sentiments - The Omctals
We're saved By Judge Taft's Pore
sight.
Manila. July 30-ro a recent arrival not
intimately acquainted with tho military
history Of the last two years Manila pol
iiics seem prolonged series OF fracases
and iascos Any one who knows the inside
workings o. Luzon politics Is aware of
much deceit. oouhlc dealing and misrep-
ressutation.
We have just come through a celebra-
ton organized by Pedro Palermo 90 com
memorate the decree OF amnesty OF June
q. We ere now aware OF the following
facts: That The amnesty amounts 50 far.
20 nothing. chat the celebration was pre-
mature, ahort..c and unpopular with the
people; that Pedro Palermo organized IL
for political motives OF personal advance
ment and that Judge Taft by his fore
sight and prompt action. prevented the
American ofilciai representatives from be-
ing placed In a false position. The whole
affair was unfortunate In les inception. IN
lts developments and In MS results.
Pedro PateTno was at one time Priest
Manila from the insurgent lines about
four months ago and was placed In sail.
He was later temporarily released by Gen.
Macarthur 20 AID Don Felipe Buencamino
in the latter's Efforts 10 bring peace 10
these islands on the basis OF the absolute
recognition OF American sovereignty by
the Filipino people. Paternos political
longing was for Independence under
American protection and he soon divefEed
from Buencamino'a more conservative
measures by the publication % a dncu-
ment advocating Philippine Independence
For this breach Palermo was returned 60
jail and only released after swearing the
prescribed oath OF allegiance 10 the United
States Hts nexs move was the announce
ment Of two-days fiesta as a token OF
Filipino appreciation q the decree of am
nssty. His programme included horse
races and regattas. parades by day and
night. dancing. iilumsnations and are
workEand a banquet attended by profni-
nent Frilpinos. Gen. Macarthur. che Amer
lean Civil Commission and the foreign
consuls Of Manila. Az the banquet there
were 90 be speeches BY Filipinos only. and
Paterno stipulated that ever speech must
first hes1hrnitted 10 himselfand receive his
approval These plans were submitted 20
Gen Macarthur and 90 Gen. Bell. provost
marshal Of Manila: ard, receiving the
written approval and indorpemsnt OF these
gentlemen Palermo went ahead with ms
preparations. During these preparations
there occurred several incidents Of Inter
est. Palermo caused 10 be erected on Ma
niias main street cen triumphal bamboo
arches These were 20 he adorned with
portraits and patriotic phrases. The an-
thorkIes discovered chs, portraits Of
Aguinaido were given prominent
places on sone Of the arches.
that IN one instance pictures OF
President Mckinley and Aguiuado
were placed side by side under the
same big wreath and that the inscribed
sentences declared for Filipino iudepen-
dence. The posters we're censored and Cd
tied 10 conform 20 the theory OF Amer
lean sovereignty and the pictures Of Az
uinaldo and Pres Mckinley were retnov-
ed Al this time there were freely cir
cuiatsd throughout the city hand-hihs
signed with the name OF Aguinaido ana
other prominent rebels IN the field. warn
ing All Ftliplnos co desiRt from any parti-
cipation ia tbs amnesty celebrations, ana
threatening those who did 20 with me
vengeance o. the Filipino revolutionists.
These hand-hilfs we're palpahte fakes,
printed In Manila purpoaely TO alarm me
neople. The rumor Of an outbreak IN Ma
Mia was spread and many men actually
declined invitations 20 the banquet. be-
cause o. their fears that explosive bombs
would he thrown smong the guests Dis
quieiing ruuors Of this kind were persis-
tently foated BY those Filipinos opposed
20 the celebration.
American Guards Doubled.
Saturday. the first day Of the peace fes-
tlval. saw the American guards IN Manila
doubled. their cartridge-heiss Allied with
Krag cartridges. and the provos, mar
shall had issued orders that for three days
an American troops N the city, excepting
guards and patrols. should remain IN bar
racks and ready 20 answer a call TO arms
The celebration was to begin Saturday
afternoon. but the people OF the city TOOK
no interest In the affair; they were I'M
passive and without enthusiasm when
questioned. the more Intelligent said that
as they could see no result Of the amnesty
they eaw no reason 20 celebrate It's pro-
muigation. The less Intelligent disclaimed
any knowledge OF the fiesta OF IL pur-
pose. So the horse and bicycle races and
other street games announced for sat
urday did not come of. and. with feel
ing OF interest a. to what might hapf'en,
the invited guests repaired 90 the Gorilla
Thcnter. az haif-pasf seven, Go attend the
banquet Here a large crowd waited for
two hours. their signs OF impatience aud
unrest being duly increafed by the circu-
lation Of rumors that Pedro Palermo had
been sumuonssi before Gen Macarthur,
and that the banquet had been suspended
by military order Al 80 Judge Tsft ana
Gen. Wright. Col. Wilder. representing
Cen. Macarthur. and Lieut. Monoher. rep
resentlng Gen. Bell. and Pedro Paterno
entered the thcatcr. and the meal began.
II was a meal and nothing more. The
guests we're silent. only commenting on
the music ard fofal decorations on the
tables: the Foreign Consuis had long
since gone home. and the many Fiipinoe
and Americans who looked on from the
boxes ana galleries, wondered what the
trouble might be. There were no speeches
ana no t0asts Before the meal was ac-
tuallly over the signal TO rise was givsn
aud heartily accepted BY everyone. and
the company dispersed as quickly as pos
sible. The theater was not cleared. how
ever before twenty American soldiers.
with rifles and cartridges, entered the
building. aud this made the tagging FIJI
plnos scufry away quicker than ever.
Outside the rain came down Ia tropical
torrents. but the night was not one BIT
more dismal than had been the banquet
why the banquet Failed.
The reason for the utter failure Of the
banquet IL thisi Palermo has assured 0eu.
Mac Arthur dhat the speeches there 90 be
delivered would be within the bounds OF
propriety under the circumstances. and
with tnls assurance the military authori-
tles. represented by Col. Wilder and Lieut.
Menoher. let Pateruo proceed They ala
not read over the speeches beforehand
Under mr. direction and with his approval