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THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION SOCIETY

THE INSURGENT GOVERNMENT OF 1898

TOGETHER WITH

OPINIONS ON THE QUESTION

ARE THE FILIPINOS CAPABLE OF SELF-GOVERNMENT?

FIRST SERIES

III.

Revised Edition, January 17 1901

This pamphlet may be obtained by application to L. K. Fuller, 12 Otis Place, Boston, Mass.

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From the Society

HE Philippine Information Society is preparing a series of publications

THE

in pursuance of the purpose for which the Society was formed, that, namely of placing within reach of the American people the most reliable and authoritative evidence attainable in regard to the people of the Philippine Islands and our relations to them.

The whole of the evidence, even the whole of the official evidence, is more voluminous than a busy people can be expected to read. Some selection on our part has, therefore, been a necessary condition of the accomplishing of our object. This selection by us has, however, been confined, so far as possible, to the choosing of subjects to be dealt with. Upon each subject chosen we have given in some cases all the evidence obtainable, in all other cases as much of the important and authoritative evidence as is possible within reasonable limits, with ample references to the remainder. In these cases we have endeavored to include the evidence that is most authoritative and important.

If those of whatever shade of opinion who find our mediation unsatisfactory, or who are not convinced of our success in getting the whole story, will appeal from us to the original sources of information, our object of promoting a knowledge of the facts will be only the more effectively secured. We shall be grateful for any criticism or information convicting us of the omission of any important evidence, or of any appearance of unfairness in the presentation of evidence, and will endeavor to profit thereby in future editions.

The subject of the present series of papers has seemed to us as important as any that could be selected. It comprises the principal episodes in the history of our relation to the Filipinos, chiefly as that history is contained in our State papers. We have been careful to include the evidence which tells of the Filipinos' share in that history as well as our own, Whatever view one may hold as to the proper policy for us to pursue toward the Filipinos, it is evident that no policy can be intelligently chosen nor successfully carried out unless it is based upon an understanding of these people, and of their present attitude toward us, and toward the question of our relation to them. It is hoped that the account we shall offer may prove a help toward an understanding of the present situation.

For Outline of Series see page 63.

2

PART I.

THE INSURGENT GOVERNMENT OF 1898.

Although among the many vexed questions relating to the Philippines, none has been more discussed than the capacity of the natives for self-government, yet, for lack of available evidence, none has been so completely a matter of conjecture and a priori reasoning. Obviously the most valuable evidence would relate to what has been accomplished already by these people in the way of self-government. While it has been generally understood that Aguinaldo did set up some form of government early in 1898, authentic information as to its nature, success, and duration has been peculiarly hard to get. It is felt, therefore, that no apology is needed for setting before the public the accounts of this government to be found in the published documents of the United States, and in the recitals of various United States officials. A summary of the events which the evidence tends to show is substantially as follows:

Aguinaldo, immediately after his return to the Philippines, in May, 1898, issued a proclamation calling upon the Filipinos to rally about him, and stating that he proposed, as soon as possible, to set up a temporary dictatorial government, which should be in force until a regular constitutional government could be organized. (See Appendix A.) This dictatorial government was established by proclamation, June 18, 1898. (See Senate Document 62, page 432.) He immediately proceeded to make good his promises for a representative government by sending out, on the 20th, instructions for the holding of elections (see Senate Document 62, page 433), and on the 23d, established by proclamation the "Revolutionary Government" with regular executive, legislative, and judicial departments. (See Senate Document 62, pages 432-437, quoted in Pamphlet II., page 18, of this series.) This government was in force during the period after the overthrow of the Spanish rule and before the Americans definitely assumed the sovereignty of the Islands; in other words, when the Filipinos were in a condition more free from outside influences than at any time for centuries. In August, it asked for recognition from other governments (see Senate Document 62, page 438) but in vain. On January 23, 1899, the election of delegates having been completed, the Constitution of the Filipino Republic was adopted, and General Otis was requested to inform the Government at Washington accordingly. (See page 33, below.) The subsequent history of the Insurgent Government falls outside the scope of this pamphlet.

Two chief questions to be asked with regard to this government are: (1) Was it effective in maintaining law and order? (2) Was it popular with the people? For the answers to these questions, readers are referred o the quotations below.

TESTIMONY OF EYE WITNESSES.

Among the few Americans who had an opportunity to observe conditions while the Filipino government was in force, in provinces remote from Manila, first place must be given to Cadet Leonard R. Sargent and Paymaster W. B. Wilcox of the United States Navy, who, under the authority of Admiral Dewey, spent the greater part of October and November, 1898, in travelling through the central and northern portions of the island of Luzon, covering more than six hundred miles. Nov. 23, 1898, in obedience to an order from Admiral Dewey (see Senate Document 66, 56th Congress, 1st Session, page 24), they submitted a report of their tour of observation. This report was forwarded to Washington, by Admiral Dewey, Dec. 1, 1898, with the following indorsement:

[SENATE DOCUMENT 66, PAGE 44.]
"(Indorsement.)

"FLAGSHIP OLYMPIA,
"CAVITE, P. I., December 1, 1898.

"Approved and respectfully forwarded for the information of the Navy Department.

"Especial attention is invited to this interesting and carefully prepared report, which, in my opinion, contains the most complete and reliable information obtainable in regard to the present state of the northern part of Luzon Island.

"GEORGE DEWEY, Rear Admiral, U. S. N.,
"Commanding Asiatic Station."

This report, together with reprints of articles prepared by its authors and originally published in the "Outlook" for Sept. 2 and 23, 1899, and the "Independent," for Sept. 14, 1899, is printed in Senate Document 66, 56th Congress, 1st Session, from which the following quotations are taken. The whole document is of exceptional value. Readers are strongly urged to obtain it by applying to their respective senators, and from it to supply for themselves the omissions which, to the great regret of the editors, lack of space in the present pamphlet makes imperative. The editors believe that any one who does so supplement these quotations will realize that the omissions do not affect the estimate given. This estimate, being for the most part favorable, we have, in especial, been careful to include everything of an unfavorable or qualifying tendency.