Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/396

388] settling in the South through fear of the violence that might be offered to their women.

In connection with tramway strikes in New York some serious rioting occurred in July. An attempt was made in Brooklyn to blow up by dynamite a part of the Elevated Railroad, and on the 20th in the fights with the large police force employed in protecting the tram lines in New York City many people were injured.

After the conclusion of the war with Spain, the treaty was not ratified till February 6 by the United States Senate. The ratifications were exchanged and certified to on April 11. Through this delay Aguinaldo, the leader of the Filippino insurgents, was encouraged to begin a war, and threatened to continue it at all costs until independence was secured. An American commission had been appointed by President M'Kinley in January to visit the Philippines and report upon the future government of the islands. On April 4 the commission, consisting of the following members—John G. Schurman, Dean C. Worcester, Charles Denby, Admiral George Dewey and General E. S. Otis—issued a proclamation in eleven articles explaining that the object of the United States Government aimed to promote the well-being, prosperity and happiness of the people in the Philippines, and their elevation and advancement. Their civil rights were to be guaranteed and protected, and their religious freedom assured. On April 15 the Filippinos issued a reply, stating that as they had no part in the negotiation of the Treaty of Paris they had no assurance of the fulfilment of American promises, and that although they stood alone they would fight to the death. The war meanwhile had begun, and it was made manifest in June that the hopes of Aguinaldo and his adherents were kept alive by the anti-imperialists and by political movements in the United States. On July 27 Aguinaldo appealed to the Powers of Europe for recognition of Filippino independence, claiming that he had conquered the whole country except Manilla before the signing of the treaty with Spain, and therefore that Spain could not cede the islands to the United States. In August Aguinaldo proclaimed himself dictator at a session of the Filippino Congress, and in the same month the Congress declined the offer of an autonomous government from the United States, and asked for a conference. The conference was allowed, but proved to be only a ruse to gain time and wring some acknowledgment of the Filippino Government from the United States Government. On October 18 General Otis received a message from General Pio del Pilar offering the following terms: For $50,000 to refrain from attacking Manilla with his army; for $250,000 to surrender his army after a sham battle, both sides firing into the air; and for $500,000 to accomplish the overthrow of the insurrection and the capture of Aguinaldo, Paterno, and the other leaders. Many engagements took place between the United States forces and the rebels. General Henry Lawton led a victorious