Part 47 (2/2)
”It is also my belief that it is the intention of the United States Government to draw from the Filipino people so much of the military force of the islands as possible and consistent with a free and well-const.i.tuted government of the country, and it is my desire to inaugurate a policy of that character.
”I am also convinced that it is the intention of the United States government to seek the establishment of a most liberal government for the islands, in which the people themselves shall have as full representation as the maintenance of order and law will permit, and which shall be susceptible of development on lines of increased representation and the bestowal of increased powers into a government as free and independent as is enjoyed by the most favored provinces of the world.
”It will be my constant endeavor to co-operate with the Filipino people, seeking the good of the country, and I invite their full confidence and aid.”
Aguinaldo, on this conciliatory definition of American purposes, objects to General Otis calling himself ”Military Governor,” and cries out, with ”all the energy of his soul against such authority,”
and alludes to the policy of the President referring to the Philippine annexation, adding:
”I solemnly protest, in the name of G.o.d, the root and fountain of all justice and of all right, and who has given to me power to direct my dear brothers in the difficult work of our regeneration, against this intrusion of the government of the United States in the sovereignty of these islands.
”And so, you must understand, my dear brothers, that, united by bonds which it will be impossible to break, such is the idea of our liberty and our absolute independence, which have been our n.o.ble aspirations, all must work together to arrive at this happy end, with the force which gives conviction, already so generally felt, among all the people, to never turn back in the road of glory, on which we have already so far advanced.”
President McKinley, on the evening of February l5th, addressed at the Boston Home Market Club banquet, all civilized nations, setting forth the policy of the United States in the Philippines, saying:
”The Philippines, like Cuba and Porto Rico, were intrusted to our hands by the war, and to that great trust, under the providence of G.o.d and in the name of human progress and civilization, we are committed. It is a trust from which we will not flinch.
”There is universal agreement that the Philippines shall not be turned back to Spain. No true American would consent to that.
”The suggestions that they should be tossed into the arena for the strife of nations or be left to the anarchy or chaos of no protectorate at all were too shameful to be considered. The treaty gave them to the United States. Could we have required less and done our duty?
”Our concern is not for territory, or trade, or empire, but for the people whose interests and destiny were put in our hands.
”It is not a good time for the liberator to submit important questions to the liberated while they are engaged in shooting down their rescuers.
”The future of the Philippine Islands is now in the hands of the American people.
”I know of no better or safer human tribunal than the people.
”Until Congress shall direct otherwise, it will be the duty of the executive to possess and hold the Philippines.
”That the inhabitants of the Philippines will be benefited is my unshaken belief.
”No imperial designs lurk in the American mind. They are alien to American sentiment.”
There is a directness of purpose and precision of statement about this that bears the stamp of sincerity, is impressive with the power of authority, and s.h.i.+nes with the spirit of patriotism.
CHAPTER XXIX
The Aguinaldo War of Skirmishes.
The Filipino Swarms, After Being Repulsed with Slaughter, Continue Their Scattering Efforts to Be a.s.sa.s.sins--They Plan a General Ma.s.sacre and the Burning of Manila--Defeated in Barbarous Schemes, They Tell False Tales and Have Two Objects, One to Deceive the People of the Philippines, the Other to Influence Intervention--The Peril of Fire--Six Thousand Regulars Sent to General Otis--Americans Capture Iloilo and Many Natives Want Peace--The People of the Isla of Negros Ask That They May Go with Us--Dewey Wants Battles.h.i.+ps and Gunboats, Gets Them, and Is Made an Admiral--Arrival of Peace Commissioners, with Their School Books, Just Ahead of the Regulars with Magazine Rifles--The Germans at Manila Salute Admiral Dewey at Last.
The activity of the Aguinaldo insurgents was persisted in, while their commissioners were on the way to us, and ours to them. While Congress was in a reactionary state owing to political games, and many members tearful on the side of the barbarians, there was a desperate conspiracy to ma.s.sacre the white people of Manila and destroy the city by fire; and fighting was going on along our extended lines, the Filipinos shooting at Americans from the jungles. On February 15th the California Volunteers abandoned Guadalupe church and retired to San Pedro Macati, and the Filipinos held ambuscades near the Pasig River. It was reported that on the night of the 14th the retirement of General King's advance posts upon San Pedro Macati had evidently been construed by the rebels as a sign of weakness, as they pressed forward along both sides of the river, persistently hara.s.sing the occupants of the town.
The rebels poured volley after volley into San Pedro Macati from the brush on the adjacent ridge, but without effect. General King's headquarters, in the center of the town, was the target for scores of bullets. The rebels were using smokeless powder and it was extremely difficult to locate individual marksmen.
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