The age-herald., 1901-11-04
EXPLAIN TREASON
 ACT ID F|L|PINOS
Vice Governor Wright Says Spanish Code Unsatisfactory
POLITICAL CLUBS EVIL
No Matter What Opinion FiIlplnos May Have of American Sow ereienty Americans Are
 There to Stay.

Manila. November 3.-There was pub lie discussion before the Philippine com mission today of the draft of the act 1 against treason and sedition. Many prominent Filipinos were present Vice Governor Wright explained the object of the bill saying that the Spanish code was unsatisfactory.
 There are a number of people living in the Philippines" remarked MT. Wright who so long as there Is no punishment for treason will take advantage of the fact to clog the wheels of the insular government. It must not be overlooked that turbulent spirits exist in the paci- fled provinces. The masses of the peo- pie are susceptible to infiammatory utter ances and liable to be influenced by scheming demagogues. It would be in- excussable weakness on the part of the commission to allow people to be arous- ed to deeds of violence who are now gradually drifting to the pursuits of peace.
 Work of Noisy Aeltators.
 '"The recent renewed attempts at in- surrection in the island of Samar and the province of Batangas Uuzon) and at few other points due to noisy Filipino agitators, have caused a feeling of un- rest in the minds of both natives and Americans. The effect of their continu- ance would be to make impossible the very things these agitators claim they most desire Such endeavors serve to re- cruit the ranks of the insurgents and to postpone the era of good feeling and fellowship which must come.
 "No excuse exists for secret political organizations. Their intent must be evil. No matter what may have been the opin- ion of the Filipinos regarding the SOW ereignty of the American government, the fact remains that the Americans are here and moreover, here they intend to stay"
 The bill was then read in Spanish.
 senor Sabella Reyes. Spanish journal ist, who has been here for several weeks. said he was opposed to the bill and ob- jected generally to the imposition of the death of the penalty for political crimes. He suggested that persons committing the offenses against which the bill was aim ed should be deported to the United States. | and declared that Italy and Portugal had enacted the most reasonable existing laws dealing with the matters under con- sideration.
 No Political Crimes.
 Commissioner Worcester asked him fl he considered the killing of King Hum bert a political crime. Senor Reyes re- piled: Nothing political Is criminal"
 Vice Governor Wright asked him if he l considered the killing of President Mo- l Kinley a criminal act
 | Senor Reyes: T have already made it clear that there is no such thing as g | political crime.'
 The commissioners indignantly ordered | him to take his seat. Senor Beuncamino on behalf of the federal party, objected to the bill Senor Bautista, at one time president of the so-called Filipino con. gress, said that sections of the proposed law had created panic in Manila; that Spain had no such law; that in his opinior private citizens ought not to be compelled to divulge matters within their knowl edge; that the doctrine of treason ought to apply to officials only and that the bill as drawn offered a great opportunity tt blackmail.
 The discussion will be continued tomor row.