October 22 1896.1
reports:cannot-
viewed by different classes, and these I wish to place before the readers that they may judge for themselves. My experience has been that native sports cannot be depended upon. But as I base this opinion upon the false reports which the Chi- nese so readily give forth, I may be wrong in placing the Philippine native in the same light. However, as I am informed that the lower classes are not generally particular as to the exact veracity of their tales, such reports as are given as emanating wholly from native sources can as a rule be taken subject to a
Considerable discount.
The Spanish Government is no doubt possessed of the idea that to let the true condition of affairs be known would be undiplomatic. Still, one would make a mistake to stamp every report coming from Spanish sources as a mis- statement. There are many Spanish gentle- men and I have friends among them-who are anxious that the truth be known, readily giving all information in their possession, and in whose reports I have perfect con- fidence. I have been often informed by these same friends that they believed the Government made a great mistake in so often hiding the true condition of affairs, giving out but such reports as placed the Spanish in a favourable light, for generally something of the truth eventually becomes known and this, a bare thread, leads to the weaving of a tale which often goes far beyond the truth, doing the Spanish cause much more harm than if the latter had come out at once with the exact account. But the Spanish Government does not believe it wise; consequently the officers are most irritatingly persistent in their efforts to prevent a word, even though the same may be town talk among all classes, from reaching outside the colony. The newspapers are subject to the most exacting censorship; every line must be placed before the Govern- ment previous to publication and as to such a thing as correspondents with the army, not even those of their own nationality are allowed a peep in the field. Code telegrams are not delivered until the expectant receiver has presented himself at the telegraph office, code "book in hand, and translated before the eyes of the official the message word by word. Letters are opened and disposed of in a manner which is oftimes bound to cause great con. fusion in business. Oue case, of which I am in position to know the exact truth, was that of a gentleman at the head of one of the leading firms who in preparing the mail personally placed invoices consisting of several sheets in an envelope which he had addressed to his London house, and later saw that the same reached the post office and was mailed. The next day the invoices minus the cover were fished out about a mile and a half distant from a creek which flows past the post office by a native boatman, who returned them to the sender. How many more and how often important letters and other mail matter are thus chucked into the creek is unknown. The Spanish are very suspicions, and grant them that, but what harm can be found, what monstrous plot promoted, in a dreary invoice of 2,000 bales of hemp is beyond my powers of conception.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
is proof at hand that certain classes have been "ourishing the idea of rebellion for several years, and no donbt the information of the rebel successes in Cuba (and it is pretty nearly certain that Cuban agents have been in the Philippines of late) led them to consider the present as the opportune time for striking the blow. Fortunately for the Spaniards the details of the plot became known before the date intended for the commencement of hosti- lities had arrived, and the natives, fearing that to delay then might lead to the total frustration of their designs, opened up on the Spanish in Manila at once, but so prematurely and in such a poorly equipped condition that the results could not have been otherwise than a defeat. But the long period which has now transpired during which the Spanish have acted but upon the defensive in Manila, unless the almost daily shelling that the gunboats have bestowed upon the coast villages for the last month be con- sidered, has given the rebels time to equip, organize, and drill their men and to build numerous fortifications. They are thus in fact stronger and in better condition to-day than they ever were.
The natives state that their grievances are the extortions of the Spanish officials, especially the unbearable cupidity of those who are sta- tioned in the provinces not under the immediate eye of the Governor-General at Manila, the excessive and inequitable taxation and the un- just mode of levying it, the extortions and inter- ference in affairs of state of the priests of the monastic orders who at present hold the benefices in each parish of the islands.
for them in the established benefices and allowed a hand in the government colonies.
What do the priests say to this ?. They i that the natives are as yet mere children and that as such they must be subjected to some degree of authority and guidance. If they are to eventually emerge into a condition of equal capacities and similiar ideas to ourselve they must be taught with care and this slowly It would be a mistake if absolute freedom of thought and investigation were encouraged now. The late troubles have shown that certain classes are already preaching doctrines which the people and probably they themselves are not able to comprehend. The religious orders point with pride to the condition of enlightenment to which they have already brought the masses, and claim credit, which they deserve, for the years of peace preserved far distant country and among a strange people.
in a
The present situation in the Philippines I will take up in my next letter.
JAMES W. DAVIDSON.
THE JAPANESE IN MANILA,
The Osaka Mainichi writes that there are only a few Japanese resident in Manila, and so, though the Philippines are close enough to For- mosa to cause some unreasonable apprehension among the Spaniards since that island was occu pied, little attention is directed by the Japanese to the Philippines. Mr. Shimizu, Japanese Without doubt the abuses of the Government Consul at Hongkong, bearing of the [outbreak are many and that corruption marks the of the rebellion in the Philippines, telegraphed career of the officer, whether his rank is on the 8th inst. to a Japanese resident in Manila high or low, is well known and often com- for information, and was informed that no mented upon. It is stated that it is no un-Japanese had been implicated in the rebellion, common occurrence for an officer to return to but all of the Japanese there had their houses Mr. Nakano Spain carrying more money with him than his searched by the authorities.
during his salary yielded him
whole Makitaro, the manager of the Manila term. General Weyler, who is now in com- branch of the Kaigai Boyeki Kaisha, and mand of Cuban affairs, is said to have left nine other Japanese residents, collectively Manila with a fortune of more than a million addressed a long letter to the Japanese Consul and a half of dollars and yet he served but a at Hongkong, detailing a series of annoyances few years in the Philippines. The extensive which are only what could be expected after suugging of Mexican dollars which he carried the blatant bluster of many Japanese news- or most systematically is said to have yielded papers regarding the Philippines. As soon as the bulk of this sum. Let me here state dis- they acquired Formosa, some of the Japanese tinctly, however, that the present Governor-Gen- began talking about acquiring the Philip oral is considered by all to be a man of integrity pines next; ~and soon as the present and one who undoubtedly does all in his power rebellion began, they openly advocated active to encourage honest government, The whole support of the rebels. The Kokumin“ is fault seems to be at Madrid, from where- one of the most reckless, but not the only one, officers are sent out for a short service with so and the Spaniards cannot be blamed for resent- little that it is necessary
pay
for them to squeeze ing such things. The letter from the Japanese if they desire an income. In fact it is stated in Manila to the Consul in Hongkong says:——— that officers are often obliged to pay directly or distribute indirectly as much money as the amount of their total salary would be to the officers who obtain the situation for them. Upon reaching the Philippines, placed more or less all alike in the same position, they protect each other; consequently courts of inquiry accomplish but litte, unless an officer has so far overstepped the bounds that his dis- honesty has been clearly determined and pro- claimed abroad by the prople. He is then sometimes removed, but rarely punished.
as
As there is now no Japanese Consulate here, we are in doubt as to the course to be pursued by us at present and in future, in connection with the outbreak of the rebellions.
י
"The Japanese resident here were pro-. posing to address a representation to, the home Government by the first opportunity, as to the course asking for instruction to be pursued by us. While still discussing this step, we received a telegram from you, to which we at once replied. But a tele- gram is insufficient to state the case fully, and What do the Spanish say?" Why, we must keep all military matters secret, for reports of The priests, with the exception of the Jesuits, we beg to report to you in detail on the con-
dition of affairs here, with a request
that rebel victories would encourage the rebels who I believe are a superior body of men, generally and perhaps induce those to join who are as a rule an ignorant, bigoted class who look you will please forward our report to the would otherwise have had no intention of so
to the advancement of their respective orders home Government. We shall be very much doing," and again as one Spanish gentleman collectively and the attainment of wealth and obliged if you obtain an instruction from the remarked with a laugh, "You foreigners do so ease individually. In their opposition to all in-home Government as to what course we should enjoy hearing something against the Spaniards."novations and in their hatred of the n'rancement take in future. Natives of the Philippines But as I remarked before, regardless of the of enlightenment and liberality of thought they have been arrested one after another daily since restrictions, an inkling of the truth does sift
very much assemble the Chinese. Existing in about the 22nd or 23rd ult., most of them be- cause they had been in Japan or had some con- through, and a distorted version circulating delightful ignorance of the world about them among the natives from, town to town is, the they seem satisfied, and we might say deter- nection with Japanese. Meantime, a rumour result.
mined, in preserving the same life that was led was freely circulated in the town to the effect by their predecessors two hundred years ago. that three Japanese steamers had smuggled Many of the natives have, however, risen 3,000 firearms into some port on the southern above this era of ignorance and superstition and coast of the island. it is the light these educated classes have thrown upon the system which has influenced many towards rebellion.
Opinions differ greatly as to the cause of the rebellion, and each faction is inclined to lay the blame on the other. That the natives might have rebelled without just provocation I admit, but in the present instance there is no doubt but what they have had good cause for complaint. I don't wish to convey by that the idea that necessarily their of sufficient enormity to ntenance open rebellion, but that the com- oppression of the church and Government 108 would tend to keep the poor natives constant state of dissatisfaction. There
grievances e
The native people are naturally peaceful and tale to the teachings of civilization with eager ness, and have made considerable progress towards a higher social state. They now de- mand that the priests of the monastic orders be confined to missionary labour among the savages and that secular clergy be substituted
"On the morning of the 24th ultimo, four Europeans appeared at the branch office of the Kaigai Boyuki Kaisha and asked why th was not closed. The people of the surprised and inquired the reason strange question, stating that it was Sunday nor a holiday The Europee that the rebels were expected daily Manila and plunder all the houses this, the office was closed. We learn
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