The Philippines: Past and Present (Volume 1 of 2)Worcester, Dean C. (Dean Conant)
History
The Philippines: Past and Present (Volume 1 of 2)
Worcester, Dean C. (Dean Conant)
Philippines; Philippines -- History -- 1898-1946
"'By the end of 1899, by the time guerrilla warfare was well
under way, by the time that any Filipino government, unless
an expression of the unfettered will of the nearest bandit
who can muster a dozen rifles may be called a government,
had ceased to exist, a strong opposition to the policy of the
administration had arisen in the United States and a demand for
the recognition of the independence of the Philippines. The
junta in Hongkong were assured that the Democratic party
would come into power in the next elections and that this
would mean the success of the patriotic efforts of Aguinaldo
and his followers. The news was good and was forthwith spread
abroad in "Extracts from our correspondence with America,"
"News from our foreign agents," "News from America," and
"Translations from the foreign press"--circulars and handbills
printed on thin paper which were smuggled into the Philippines
and passed into the hands of the guerrilla leaders who could
read Spanish. They gathered their followers about them and
told them that a powerful party had arisen in America which
was going to give them all they had ever asked for. They had
only to fight on, for success was certain. In America the
"Anti-imperialists" were hanging the "Imperialists," and
they should continue to harry the American adherents among
the natives of the Philippines.
"'There are a number of these publications among the papers
captured from the insurgents, and the adoption of this method
of propaganda seems to have been nearly coincident with
Aguinaldo's orders declaring guerrilla warfare. It does not
seem likely that the matter contained in them was supplied by
a Filipino, for if it was he assumed a general acquaintance
among the people with American politics and American methods
which they were far from possessing.
"'In these publications the Filipinos were assured that
the Imperialists were kept in power only by the lavish
contributions of the "truts," whatever they may have been;
but the people of the United States were growing weary of their
domination and were about to return to the true principles of
Washington and Jefferson. The illustrious Americans "Crosvy
Stickney, and Vartridge" were all laboring for the cause
of Philippine independence. Long lists of American cities
were given in which the illustrious orators Mr. Croshy
and Mr. Schurts had addressed applauding crowds upon the
necessity of throttling the "truts" because they opposed
recognition of the rights of the Filipinos. In August, 1900,
"News from our agents in America" informed its readers that--
"'"W. J. Bryan has stated in a speech that his first
act upon being elected President will be to declare
the independence of the Philippines."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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