The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1900-08-18

naldo made up his mind that II would be
necessary 10 fight the Americans, and
after the making of the treaty OF peace
Mt Paris this determination was strength
ened. He did not openly declare that he
intended to fight the Americans, but he
excited everybody, and especially the mil
itary men, by claiming independence, and
il is doubtful whether he had the power
to check or control the army at the time
hostilities broke out.
No Alternative Left.
"Deplorable as war is, the one in which
we are now engaged was unavoidable
by us. We were attacked by bold, ad-
venturous and enthusiastic army. No
alternative was left to us, except igno-
minious retreat. 1t Is not to be conceived
OF that any American would have sane
toned the surrender of Manila to the
insurgents. Our obligations to other ma
tons, to the friendly Filipinos and to
ourselves and our flag demanded that
force should be met by force.
Whatever the future of the Philip
pines may be. there is no course open to
us now except the prosecution Of the war
until the insurgents are reduced to sub
mission. The commission is of the opin-
ion that there has been no time since the
destruction OF the Spanish squadron by
Admiral Dewey when it was possible to
withdraw our forces from the islands
either with honor to ourselves or with
safety to the Inhabitants"
Reign of Terror.
The commissioners then take up the
condition OF the country at the time of
their arrival, comparing it with condi-
tions existing when they left short time
ago. A vivid picture is given of the an
archy existing among the inhabitants in
and about Manila during the early
spring.
The situation in the city," says the
commission. twas bad. lncendiary fires
occurred daily. The streets were almost
deserted. Half Of the native population
had fled and most OF the remainder were
shut in their houses. Business was at a
standstill. Insurgent troops everywhere
faced our lines, and the sound of rifle fire
was frequently audible in our house. A
reign OF terror prevailed. Filipinos who
had favored Americans feared assassina-
ton, and few had the courage to come
were among this number some Of the best
men Of the CITY,"
Restoring Public Confidence.
The report then speaks of the issu-
ance of the commissions proclamation
and the good effects it had on public SEN
timent. The natives, accustomed to Span
ish promises, urged upon the commission
that acts instead of promises should be
given them. As result native law courts
were established and this greatly aided
in the restoration OF public confidence
The flow of population soon began to SET
toward the city. Natives who had fed
from their homes returned
AS showing the limited scope Of the
rebellion the commission states:
1--WE learned that the strong anti-Amer
lean feeling was confined to the Tagalc
provinces. namely, Manila, Cavite, La
guna, Batangas, Morong, Bulacan
Nueva Ecija, Principe, Infanta and Fam
bales. 1t was strongest in the first si1
named, and hardly existed in the last
four
Revolt Not Popular.
"The population Of these provinces i,
estimated to be about 1,5O0,0OO but i
should not be supposed that even in thu
six provinces Immediately adjacent I,
Manila the people were united in theil
opposition TO us. Even here there wa.
n strong conservative element. consisting
of people of wealth and intelligence, op
posed TO the war"
Under the head, "The Rebellion not
National Movement" the report treat.
Of the rebellion outside of the province.
of Luzon, where, it is stated, the upris
ing was viewed at first with indifference,
and later with fear. Throughout tn,
archipelago at large there was troubl,
only at those points to which armed TIA
galos had been sent in considerable mum
bers.
Ask American Help.
The machinery Of insurgent govern
ment' served only for plundering tn,
people under the pretext Of levying ''wal
contributions, while many of the insur
gent officials were rapidly accommodating
wealth." 1t is stated that the insurgen
administration throughout the interior
was worse than in the days Of Spanish
misrule. In many provinces there wa,
absolute anarchy, and from all sides cam,
petitions for protection and help
movement northward the report tells OF
the insurgent method of intimdating tn,
natives by telling them fearful tales con
corning the American soldiers. Thi,
method Of procedure, eminently success
full at first, in the end recoiled on it's au
| thors. ~
Troops Bring Peace.
AS to the state Of affairs when tn,
commission left the report says:
Before the commission left the Philip
| pines nearly all the inhabitants had re
turned to those ruined villages. Man,
| OF the houses had been rebuilt. Field,
| that had lain fallow for three years wer,
green with growing crops. Municipa
| governments were established, and tn,
| people, protected by our troops, were en-
| joying peace, security and degree OF
participation in their own government
previously unknown in the history Of tn,
Philippines. Attempts Of the insurgent.
to raise recruits and money in the prov
ince Of Bulacan were proving abortive
except when backed by bayonets and bull
let's, and even in such cases the native,
were applying to us for help to resis
them"
The chapter devoted to "Establshmcn
OF Municipal Governments" gives in de
tail the efforts in that direction. Their,
were many difficulties encountered. TIL,
condition of the people was found to b,