New-York tribune., 1900-01-25
THE REPORT ABOUT MAB1NL.

The proposal that the United States appoint
another commission to treat with the Philippine
insurgents is not mere impudence It comes
from the most important and influential of the
insurgents, who is captive at Manila but is
said to be better qualified than any other man
by his financial influence with those who have
sustained The insurrection, and by his personal
ability and relations with leaders in arms, to
speak for the scattered fragments of rebellion.
The war has actually ceased. Chasing and dis
persal of guerilla bands is necessary sequence,
but it is not war. There has been no engage
ment worth the name since the little skirmish
in which General Lawton was lost; yet while
one stronghold or point of supplies after another
has been taken almost without bloodshed, the
insurgents usually running away when attacked
or earlier, there still remain many scattered
fragments of the former force which 1t will cost
time and trouble to disperse or capture If Ma
bni could cause their submission dispersal it
would bring much nearer the time when civil
government can be established under military
supervision, throughout the islands. But it is
questionable whether he can do any such thing.
On the other hand, it is perfectly plain that if
he has any such power or influence it is for him
to prove it and use it, and to bring about sub
mission of the insurgents before the Govern
ment takes any step whatever. The formal
recognition that there exists any important body
of insurgents with whom to treat would be a
mistake in fact and in policy. The United States
would only dignity in their own eyes by such a
course the remaining bands of guerilIas. Nor is
there any visible reason for departing from the
declaration made after the insurgents had
tricked and patered with the Commission sent
last year, that there would he no more confer
ring or negotiating until the rebels had laid
down their arms. At this distance, it must be
confessed, that seems to be still the unavoidable
preliminary condition of any kind of effort Ito
ascertain the wishes of the Tagals," When
they cease to he bandits, and not until then, can
the Government confer with them or consider
what they have to say respecting the form of
government to be established.
At least in the light of such information
has been made public, this is STILL as it has been
for months, the only course the Government can
with reason or dignity pursue and appears to
be the only one that would not involve much risk
of encouraging further resistance. Nor is there
any evidence known to the public that Mabini
or any other leader can control the actions of
the guerilla chiefs who still resist There is no
longer even the semblance of military organiza-
ton, and Aguinaldo the presumptive head and
commander, has almost completely disappeared.
The different bands will in all probability be
governed by the temper of their various chiefs
and by the different conditions affecting each.
To send commission out into the woods and
mountains to hunt up guerilla chiefs and talk
with them would be a peculiar performance.
1t is decidedly more probable that the Admin
istratiOn will perceive in the performance of
Mabini another attempt, in secret connection
with Tagal sympatbizers in the Senate and else
where in this country, to embarrass the Govern
ment and help the Democrats. What the Phil
ippine insurgents expect to gain if the Demo
cratic party should succeed in the coming cleo
ton they have taken care to make known Ty
many public declarations. They count upon a
surrender TO them as absolute despotS of the
power to rule as they please the far greater
number of inhabitants in the islands, and how
they want TO rule their eXtOrtion, corruption
and cruelty have sufficiently shown. The Gov
ernment holds an impregnable position while 1t
maintains that there can be no Areating or ne
gOtiatiOn with rebels in arms. If Mabini or any
body else has any influence with guerilla chiefs
II is time for him to show it by causing them TO
lay down their arms. The people are sure to
uphold the Government in that position, but not
sure to uphold it If by some fresh attempt to
negotiate it gives to Democratic false pretenees
a color of truth.