Evening star., 1914-12-31
Private Advices Pronounce Re-
cent Disturbances Insignifi-
cant, Though Dangerous.
DEAN c. WORCESTER
BEFORE COMMITTEE
Gives as His Opinion That Quarrels
Would Follow independence and
Foreign Powers Seize Islands.

Private dispatches from Manila say
ing the recent disturbances in the
Philippine Islands, though dangerous.
were insignificant in accomplishment
were laid today before the Senate
committee considering the Philippine
independence bip by Dean c. Worce-
ster. former secretary Of the interior
Of the islands. The dispatches came
yesterday from his personal friend, p.
G. Mcdonnell. a Manila editor. and for
their accuracy Mr.. Worcester vouched
to the committee. The dispatches read:
General commanding Corregidor de-
nying the rumor regarding disarming
Of scouts. Mob in botanical garden
scattered by the police before the time
set for uprising. Arrested twenty bolo
men. Movements wide. Quite well
organized. Ricarts connected with
them.
Drastic measures required to prevent
IT from spreading. 1t is generally be-
lieved the disturbance is being inf1u-
enced by widespread idea of govern
ment weakness. Sedition not suppressed
because a wrong Interpretation of prom
ises Of administration in circulation by
politicians among ignorant masses.
Uprising Insignificant, He Says.
Foreigners apprehensive Great many
have applied for firearms permit. I'm
possible to do anything to corroborate
many facts. Witnesses are forbidden
to give information. Government will
not allow US to see documents seized
by army. Uprising insignificant in ac-
complishment. but dangerous on account
Of potential agitation of lowest classes.
Similar to 1895. Have arrested men
Mofv nf haa
apprehended. Communications secured
indicating Americans were to be at
tackled, property to be conf1scated or
destroyed. There is no evidence that
property-owning natives are involved.
Absolutely no Americans connected
with uprising.
(Signed) "P. G. MCDONNELL"
A phrase, Have issued arms to civil
employees" contained in the original
dispatch, was eliminated by Mr.. NC
Donnell In a later message, and Mr..
Worcester told the committee he be-
lieved the statement Cancelled was
untrue.
Sentiment Against independence.
Mr. Worcester, in response to Ques-
ton, said that the disturbance was what
might be expected If Independence was
granted He told the committee that
Philippine politicians. who love to fish
in troubled waters" are in favor Of i'm
mediate Independence, meaning an indie
pendence for them to hold office, with
the navy Of the United States lying in
the harbors to prevent international COM
plications He added that the vocal"
sentiment Of the islands was in favor
of independence. but the predominating
real sentiment was opposed to 1t. The
witness declared that fear Of murder or
other vengeance should independence
come prevented many from uttering their
true views
Mr.. Worcester was asked for his
views as to what would happen IL in
dependence within the next three or
four years was granted.
Predicts Seizure of Islands.
"Quarrels for office would spring up
in the first instance" he replied. THE
elections would soon become farces.
Shortly the feeling between the differ
ent factions would result in bloodshed
and anarchy. Not very long afterward
there would be aggression against for
eigners growing out of the disorder,
and that aggression would be made
the pretext for some foreign power
seizing the islands"
Members Of the Senate Philippine
and many other senators at
tended yesterday afternoon an illus
trated lecture on the present condition
of the islands by Mr.. Worcester. The
lecture was preliminary to the ex-
animation of Mr.. Worcester by the COM
mittee today as to his views on the
pending bill to grant the islanders a