Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-08-16
SNO7 ANILA capitulated to the
lm United States forces, command
@S ed by Admiral Dewey, on May

TAlIf ANibh cupituiateu :" 'ho
lM( United States forces, command
o ed by Admiral Dewey. on May
/. 1893.
In order to become informed upon
the condition of affairs In the Philip
pines, President Mckinley, on Jan. 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.
Z. 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
init the following preliminary statement
In compliance with your request"
Aht CuiuutbslOh utAt ttiio piAChy NJ"
It conducted the task intrusted to it,
hearing statements from all classes Of
people In Manila as to the capabilities Of
the Filipinos for seif-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 indie
pendence. but solely to obtain relief from
intolerable abuses.
To sustain this statement they quote
from an insurgeat proclamation, show
ing that what was demanded was the ex-
pulsion Of the friars and the restitution
to the people OF their lands, with a d.
vision OF the episcopal sees between
Spanish and native priests. 1t was also
demanded that the Filipinos have parlia-
,nentary 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 a legal
equality for all persons in law and equal
lily In pay between Spanish and native
civil servants.
Treaty with Spanish.
I, The commission declares that these de-
mands had good ground; that on paper
the Spanish system Of government was
toiersble, 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
shin. Allusion Is made to the powerful
KatipuAan Society, patterned on the Ma.
sonic order, and mainly made up Of Ia
galos, rs q powerful revolutionary force.
The war begun in 1896 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 Il would require 1907 900 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 a
free press.
Promises Not Kept.
Governor General Rivera was willing
TO pay $2,O00,00 in Mexican money
when Aguinaldo and his cabinet and lead
ing efiicers arrived In Hong Kong. 1t APP
pears, however. that Palermo offered the
latter only $4OO, 900, $1,000 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 tC
Luzon, SPANS sovereignty In the Other
islands never having been questioned, and
the thought of independence never hav
tng been entertained.
Dewey and Aguinaldo.
The report then tells how Gen. Angus
tho came to Manila as governor genera
at this juncture and war broke out be
tween Spain and the United States. Au
gustino sought to secure the support o.
the Filipinos to defend Spain agains
America, promising them autonomy. bu
the Filipinos Gid not trust him.
Then came the LIST of May and the de
struction of the Spanish fleet by Dewey
with the resulting loss Of prestige t,
spain. Then In June Aguinaldo came
On this point the commission says:
s.Ths following memorandum on TIL