Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-25
SCENE
Philippine Commission Opens the Eyes
of Bulacan Tagalogs
CAME CURIOUS, DEPARTED CONFIDENT
Nightly impressed by Statements
Of American Representatives.
ECH OF LOYALTY
Correspondence Of the Associated Press.

Correspondence of the Associated Press.
MANILA March 10. 1901.
OF all significant scenes witnessed dur
Ing the first hours of the United States
Philippine commission organizing provin-
clal governments in Luzon the most Susik-
ing was the dramatic episode which wound
up the public sessions at Bulacan, the old
capital of the province of that name. Bull
acan was considered the center of the in
surIection. Its Inhabitants are pure Taga-
logs. active fighters i'll war and apparently
s, from the start in politics Malolos, its
most populous and centrally located town,
according to common repute. still glor1ed
In having been the seat of Aguinaldo's
capital and it's people still surreptitiously
opposed TO bowling before American au-
thority-
To the people of Bulacan, and especially
to the delegates from the Malolos district,
the sessions of the commission We're
revelation. They came cowed and curious
and departed many of them with tears in
their eyes full Of confident hopes for the
future Of their country. To them such
homes were indeed new sensation after
the years of harassing logged. practical
" hopeless warfare. The frank. fair state
nients of the representatives of the Presi-
don't of the United States impressed them
nightly. They came in factions, ch1ehy
W
sI,ective candidates in the provincial Of
fees they left satisfied with the results
and IN rapport with American principles
Typical Speech.
The satisfaction expressed in a speech
by General Flores was perhaps typical
He said:
1T is true that l was not long since
in the field against America. But L be-
came convinced that that was not the
way to obtain our liberties. In so saying
do not feel that l am in the least degree
deserving my oath taken to the government
of Malolos I regard my oath to the gov
eminent of the United States az but
repetition of my oath at Malolos. for the
ideals in my mind We're and are Identical
| do not expect from this people the sub
mission of slaves, but the common sense
which is necessary to the state of popular
government
The men of Bulacan had their first OPP
portunity in free voting In being permitted
by the commission to decide by vote the
location of their capital. Their interest
was intense. and although Malolos won
easily over Bulacan. the people OF the OLD
capital. after putting up good fight. ac-
cepted defeat with equanimity. even join
ing in congratulating the opposition
AxainaIdo's Uncle for Governor.
Interest in the proceedings centered IN
the governorship question. Jose Serapio.
uncle Of Aguinaldo, who proved the Win
ming candidate, was opposed by the army
officers at Bulacan and other posts. who.
by the way had candidates of their own
number and also by strong opposition
among his own people. The old man. who
stands high above his brother Tagalogs In
stature and In mental qualities. did not
press his candidacy nor exhibit anger over
various charges of traitorism made against
him By people of BuIacan town. Commits
sioner Worcester had closely followed Sc
rapio's career In surreudering to Lawtons
forces and the Information obtained from
Serapio by Gen Fred d. Grant during the
Iatters command of that district, coupled
with his abilities conservative but de-
termined leader, made him the unanimous
choice of the commission for governor Of
what has been considered one of the most
difficult provinces. and the one most deyas-
tated by Spanish and American insurrec-
lions.
was reached In the concluding speeches.
DR.. Tavera, president Of the federal party,
Completed a vigorous speech by saying:
Although / deplore the war, regarding
1t protest against the oppression Of
the friars say blessed be those who had
shed their blood In striving for the liberty
of the F'hipinos. and blessed be these gen.
tl-men who are working with and for us
for the achieving OF those liberties which
We set out to gain.
Good Deeds Promised.
CrysOstomo. prominent ex-insurgent
now fiscal of the province declared that
the starry flag which waves above us
cannot be the emblem of oppression. The
American government has shown by the
establishment of free schools that 1t never
intended enslaving The commission
has come here with deeds and BuIacan Will
reply with deeds. To this end / propose
that the land tax be not put Off as provid-
ed for one year. but be put into effect In
this province at once, as an evidence Of
our good faith and appreciation" Loud
vtNds for America greeted these remarks
Commissioner Ide asked the people whether
they believed the American flag stood In
these islands for something different from
what IL had always stood for The answer
was negative.
BeRedictiOn of the Flag
General Grant being asked to pronounce
a beCediction took American flag cast
1t over the shoulders of Serapio, charging
the new governor. his people and their
children to respect, fight for and defend
that flag. which was to float over the home
of governor of Bulacan and fguratiyeiy
over all loyal citizens of the province All
present were deeply affected by this i'm
promptu climax. and many natives went
unrestrainedly. The impressive scene end
ed with charge by President Taft that
the new officers exercise their authority with
malice toward none. with charity for all
II IL regarded as a singular fact that of the
nNe provinces first organized the one whose
patriotism TO America was most In doubt
shohld he the scene of such sincere en-.
thusiasm for American sovereignty Other
provinces. which had regulations of being
more advanced in peace, gave the represent
tatives of President Mckinley far more
elaborate welcomes: but the sincerity and
enthusiasm of the Bulacan Tagainys when
once they had grasped the true purport of
american institutions and intentions were
lar from being equaled.