Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-01
American Governor Generals System Gives
Them More Liberty Than Aguinaldo,
LATTER's SECRETARY OF STATE TALKS
Declares His PeopIe Are Not Prepared
for self-Government, but Need
TuteIage of the United
States.

NhN CdAu hb a hNAb lNP-
resenting the federal party and the infu-
entail element Of the insurgents and the
Katipunan society.
He said his country, the Philippines, was
like a sick man convalescing from a dan
gerous illness. 1t was still bleeding from
the wounds Of war. Its aspirations were
those OF Washington-liberty with Justice
under American sovereignty, which they
loved. They looked to congress to give
them a Just and liberal government. He
detailed the facts connected with the early
uprising Of the Filipinos.
Aguinaldo was an idol and the people
believed him when he told them that
Dewey had promised them independence.
He reviewed all that had been done since
the outbreak and spoke Of the gradual ex-
tension Of American authority and prac-
teal pacihcation of the greater part of the
islands.
There were now 800 municipalities es-
tablished and they had proved satisfac-
tory. Under the Taft system he said the
Filipinos have greater liberty than they
would have enjoyed under the Aguinaldo
government had it been established. Gov
ernor Taft was now the idol OF the people.
Want to Know what They Are.
I'VE would like to know what we are
he said with emphasis. Are we Amer
leans or are we Filipinos? This is the ques-
tion impressed upon me by the federal
party and by the Filipino people"
He approved the plan Of a legislative as
sembly OF the Filipino people.
But" said he. do not call 1t a Filipino
assembly; let the members meet as Amer
leans and let the assembly be American"
If we are to be American citizens" he
inrnnandnA flN ,rlII ~ --..A
Our desire Is to secure a just and liberal
government. II congress does not grant
citizenship It has that right, but It would be
responsible for the future, for we have
submitted Internationally to the will Of con-
gress."
Representative Jones of Virginia called
attention to the fact that sixto Lopez diff
fered with Buencamino and said the
minority wanted to have Lopez summoned.
Several republicans protested because
Lopez had not been in the Philippines in
recent years.
There was some discussion between the
members Of the committee Of a warm char
acter.
81 did not think 1t would so offend the
minority to have this witness exonerate
American troops" said Chairman Cooper.
Il resent that insinuation." said Mr.. Will
liams OF Mississippi.
And his remark is not in accordance
with facts" said Mr.. Patterson of Tenn
essee.
Good School System.
Senior Buencamino spoke Of .he many
schools and the improved educational meth
DDS, the Filipino families no longer find
ing 1t necessary to send their children to
Manila, as the local schools were ample.
Instead Of 1,200 American teachers, he said,
there should be 5000 and the salaries should
be doubled In order to secure the best ma
terial. Speaking Of education, he said the
hostility OF the friars to the American gov
eminent was evident. He stated that Sc
per cent of the people are illiterate and
cannot read or write.
Are the people capable at this time OF
Independent government"
1T would not be advisable" he said, turn
ing to the map Of the archipelago. Russia
was near at hand, at Port Arthur; japan
was also near; Australia and other British
possessions were nearby. Besides he said
Great Britain and Germany had on hle al
the American State department large claims
for damages, growing out Of the lombard.
ment OF Illoilo.
Suppose the United States abandons u.s.
he said, then all those claims will be pre-.
sented against the Philippines, backed uI
by squadrons."
Doubts brask Boy.
Mr.. Jones Of Virginia questioned the wit.
ness at length as to the responsibility fol
the original outbreak. Preparations for wal
were begun by Aguinaldo as early as Octo.
Der. 1898. the witness said. He gave thu
conflicting claims as to who fred the nrs'
shot and expressed doubt as to the claim
Of a Nebraska soldier that he had fired thu
FIRST shot.
Asked If the Filipinos, after three or foul
years Of American t~utelage, could stanC
alone, Senior Buencamino said they woulC
be able by that time to determine whethe,
they wanted annexation to the United States
or independence. The federal party Il
which he belonged. opposed the holding
Of the Philippines as an American colony
About is per cent Of the people, h,
said, favored a colonial government.
He said American troops could be with
drawn ultimately. except from the Nor,
country, where they would have to remain
for a long time.
Mr., Patterson brought out that Buen
canine had served as private secretar!
to General Macarthur, but he denied hav
ing betrayed Philippine secrets to tina
oficer.
At another point the witness said til
Filipinos wanted the Constitution to fol
low the flag" They also wanted libert
with justice and believed the Americal
system gave this blessing.
Would the Filipinos take independents
after eight years Of tutelage by the Unite
S~tates2" asked Mr., Patterson, referring t
the plan OF the minority.
IF the congress so determined that re
a suit would be accepted" answered the wit
ness, but ongress would become respon
/. sible II the Philippines were devoured b
other nations and the Filipinos would b
4 left to damn the congress for bringing abou
a such a result"
3 He commended that annexation was tn
solution satisfactory to the people.
The witness said the Moros would nigh
a to tho death 10 retain their slaves.
, REDUCTION IN THE ARMY