interior provinces of Abra, Lepanto, Bontoc, and Benguet, of which we know nothing positively. In the coast provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Union, a conservative estimate of the forces is 3500. In most of the pueblos the garrison is but little larger than those in the towns of the western districts; but there are many barrios, each one of which has its guard of soldiers, never less than 12. In the eastern military district we met not more than 25 officers, and in the western district over 60. There are rifles enough for all, principally Remingtons, but many Mausers. In every cuartek there are at least as many rifles as there are soldiers in the garrison. The arms are more numerous in the eastern than in the western provinces. It is safe to estimate the number of rifles in the eastern district as at least twice the number of the soldiers. Commandante Villa and other officers made the statement that 40,000 rifles were being distributed among the people of that district. We have seen no proof of this statement. Ammunition is said to be plentiful, and it appears so from the fact that the soldiers use it freely hunting deer. With regard to the total force of the Philippine army, actual and reserve, we cannot speak from our own knowledge.

"Colonel Tirona claimed that 200,000 men from all the islands could be put on the field well armed; and several other officers have independently given the same statement. Every officer that we have seen carried a Spanish sword and revolver. They wear these weapons constantly, but regard them with contempt, preferring the bold at close quarters. The Philippina,' which was at Aparri during our visit, carries two guns of a calibre of about three inches. These are the only guns we have seen, with the exception of two revolving cannons in the palacio at Malolos. We saw no fortifications. The Spaniards have left numerous stockades in the wilder regions, and the natives have built a few others. There are also numerous barricades, thrown up during the insurrection. In the towns the Spaniards defended themselves in the houses for want of protection. The military spirit pervades the eastern district, where every town and barrio has organized companies of its children, which are drilled every day. In the western district we did not see any children under arins. The officers have had no military education except that which they gained during the insurrection. Spanish drill tactics are used, and most of the officers are still studying the elementary text-book.

"Respectfully submitted,

"W. B. WILCOX,

"Paymaster, U. S. N.

"LEONARD R. SARGENT,

"Naval Cadet, U. S. N."

on

TESTIMONY OF HON. JOHN BARRETT, FORMER UNITED STATES MINISTER TO SIAM.

[NOTE. The Honorable John Barrett, formerly United States minister to Siam, and well known during the recent Presidential campaign as an able public speaker on behalf of the Administration, contributed an article "Some Phases of the Philippine Situation" to the 'Review of Reviews" for July, 1899, page 65, and an article on "America in the Pacific and Far East" to "Harper's Magazine" for November, page 917. These articles are not quoted here at length as they are so readily accessible, but a few paragraphs are inserted verbatim.]

[REVIEW OF REVIEWS, JULY, 1899.]
[PAGE 68.]

"The government which was organized by Aguinaldo at Cavite and continued first at Bakoor and later at Malolos developed into a much more elaborate affair than its most ardent supporters had originally expected. By the middle of October, 1898, he had assembled at Malolos a congress of one hundred men who would compare in behavior, manner, dress, and education with the average men of the better classes of other Asiatic nations, possibly including the Japanese. These men, whose sessions I repeatedly attended, conducted themselves with great decorum and showed a knowledge of debate and parliamentary law that would not compare unfavorably with the Japanese parliament. The executive portion of the government was made up of a ministry of bright men who seemed to understand their respective positions. Each general division was subdivided with reference to practical work. There was a large force of under secretaries and clerks, who appeared to be kept very busy with routine labor."

[PAGE 70.]

"In this connection it must be remembered that the majority of the Filipino adults, who reside in the great populous sections to the north and south of Manila can read and write, and that according to the statement of reliable members of Aguinaldo's staff fully seventy per cent of the men in the ranks of the Filipino army could likewise read and write.'

[PAGE 73.]

"In the matter of native participation I am a believer that they are capable of a much larger degree of responsibility than that for which they are commonly given credit. When I consider how well in view of all conditions the Siamese are governing their little country and are really making decided progress, and when again 1 see how prosperous

the Malay Protected States are, judging from my own personal study of these countries, I do not see any reason why a large proportion of the responsible positions should not be held by the leading Filipinos.

"There are a group of capable, educated men, at the head of whom is Arrelano, who can compare very favorably with a similar group of governing men not only in Siam and in the Malay states, but even in Japan. Associated with Aguinaldo also are a number of men who, never favoring a new policy in dealing with the United States, but following him rather than desert the Filipino cause, will be eventually faithful servants to our Government. The fact that a large number of the Filipinos have fought against us does not mean that they may not possess some qualities of self-government, well guided. This fighting may have rather proved that they have an executive capacity,, a power of organization, and a persistency of effort for which otherwise we would probably never have given them credit. We must remember, also, that actual government that existed at Malolos. While in many respects the Filipinos' management of their affairs reminded one of a child with a new toy, yet every observer, military, civil, or naval, who went to Malolos, or who in the earlier days saw the development of the government at Cavite or Bakoor was impressed with the apparent order, system, and formality with which everything was done. These are qualities that count in organizing government. There were at the same time numerous tendencies to display, superficial consideration, and insincerity of action that showed the necessity of a steadying hand in order to get at the true essence of government."

[HARPER'S MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER, 1899.]
[PAGE 925.]

"The best comparison I can make is to repeat the one I have given before: compared to Nipon, the principal island of Japan, through the interior of which I have travelled from one end to the other, the advantage, except in area and population, is much in favor of Luzon, the chief island of the Philippine group. What is true of Luzon is true of the other islands in a lesser degree, with a few exceptions.

[PAGE 926.]

"In times of peace there is more to commend than to censure in the character of the Filipino, and he stands well the test of comparison with Siamese, Japanese, Annamese, and Malays, to whom he is related. There are sufficient able and educated men among them to develop a large degree of autonomy or self-government. With highclass Americans exercising a guiding and encouraging hand there is no reason why, eventually, with training and experience, the Filipinos should not attain all the privileges of absolute independence, and be

protected from the dangers and limitations that its actual trial would entail. The more autonomy earned and merited by the Filipinos the better for us, as we shall escape the responsibility and evils of a large colonial staff appointed by political influence. If we have good and wise men, prompted by patriotic and unselfish motives, to advise the Filipinos and steady them during the first four years of our administration, we shall be surprised at the result of our efforts, and shoulder successfully our share of the white man's burden.'"

ACCOUNTS OF GENERALS AND CONSULS.

[NOTE. The foregoing accounts of the workings of the insurgent government are statements of eye witnesses. The following reports from generals and consuls who, from the nature of the situation, spoke on this subject from hearsay, are inserted for the sake of completing as far as possible the information on this topic. It will be noted, also, that all these accounts, with the exception of General Otis's, are of a much earlier date than the accounts of eye witnesses given above, being written before the Malolos Congress had assembled.]

"No. 63.]

[SENATE 'DOCUMENT 62, PAGE 337.]

"Mr. Wildman to Mr. Moore.

CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES, "Hong Kong, July 18, 1898.

[Summary of omitted paragraphs: Spain cannot regain the Philippines. Superior character of the native leaders over both Malays and Cubans. They want United States citizenship. Falsity of statement that Aguinaldo sold his country for gold. Interviews with insurgent leaders.]

"On May 2, Aguinaldo arrived in Hong Kong and immediately called on me. It was May 16 before I could obtain permission from Admiral Dewey to allow Aguinaldo to go by the United States ship 'McCulloch,' and I put him aboard in the night, so as to save any complications with the local government. Immediately upon the arrival of Aguinaldo at Cavite, he issued a proclamation, which I had outlined for him before he left, forbidding pillage, and making it a criminal offence to maltreat neutrals. He, of course, organized a government of which he was dictator,- an absolutely necessary step, if he hoped to maintain control over the natives, and from that date until the present time, he has been uninterruptedly successful in the field, and dignified and just as the head of his government. According to his own statements to me by letter, he has been approached by both the Spaniards and the Germans, and has had tempting offers made him by the Catholic Church. He has been watched very closely by Admiral Dewey, Consul Williams, and his own junta here in Hong Kong, and

nothing of moment has occurred which would lead any one to believe that he was not carrying out to the letter the promises made to me in ,this consulate.

"The insurgents are fighting for freedom from the Spanish rule and rely upon the well-known sense of justice that controls all the actions of our government as to their future.

"[Omissions: Insurgent government of Philippines cannot be dealt with capriciously.]

"I have the honor, etc.,

"ROUNSEVELLE WILDMAN, Consul-General."

[SENATE DOCUMENT 208, PAGES 12, 13.]

"[Extract.]

"HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE,

"U. S. EXPEDITIONARY FORCES,

"Cavite Arsenal, P. I., July 21, 1898.

"ADJUTANT-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,

"Washington, D. C.:

"Since I wrote last, Aguinaldo has put in operation an elaborate system of military government, under his assumed authority as dictator, and has prohibited any supplies being given us, except by his order. As to this last, I have written to him that our requisitions on the country for horses, ox carts, fuel and bamboo (to make scaling ladders) must be filled, and that he must aid in having them filled. His assumption of civil authority I have ignored, and let him know verbally that I could, and would, not recognize it, while I did not recognize him as a military leader.

"It may seem strange that I have made no formal protest against his proclamation as dictator, his declaration of martial law, and publication and execution of a despotic sort of government. I wrote such a protest but did not publish it at Admiral Dewey's request, and also for fear of wounding the susceptibilities of Major-General Merritt, but I have let it be known in every other way that we do not recognize the dictatorship.

"These people only respect force and firmness. I submit, with all deference, that we have heretofore underrated the native. They are not ignorant, savage tribes, but have a civilization of their own; and although insignificant in appearance, are fierce fighters, and for a tropical people they are industrious. A small detail of natives will do 1 more work in a given time than a regiment of volunteers. [Stars are as given in the Senate Document.]

"True copy:

"THOMAS M. ANDERSON,
"Brigadier-General, U. S. V., Commanding.

"J. F. BELL, Major of Engineers, U. S. V."