MANILA UNDER THE AMERICANS. 
319 
Filijcalrao 
view of the 
machine guns and a large number of Remington rifles and ammunition 
for the same which had been issued to them by the Americans whom 
they assisted against the Spanish. The Americans have occupied 
Manila for nearly six months and have not gained a step since they 
entered. The Filipinos have increased in numbers round Manila 
and attribute inactivity on the part of the Americans to fear; they 
now number from 60 to 80,000 in the neighbourhood of the capital; 
these are not an armed mob, but fairly well drilled troops, properly 
paid, clothed and fed by a Government which Aguinaldo has estab¬ 
lished at Malolos with himself as President. Aguinaldo does not 
apparently intend to attack Manila unless his hand is forced, but he 
intends to resist any attempt on the part of the American troops to 
extend their influence beyond their present lines. At Iloilo the 
Americans have not yet succeeded in gaining a footing so that their 
occupation of the Philippines is confined to Manila and Cavite. 
The bulk of the Filipinos being uneducated can 
only view the new-comers from what they have 
actually seen and from what has actually occurred, 
situation. The Americans required their assistance to capture 
Manila and this done they now feel that they have been thrown over 
and are mistrusted. They have been allowed no voice in any matter 
concerning the future government of the country ; they can see no 
improvements nor reforms ; their churches are used as barracks ; they 
allege that their customs and stamp duties have been seized; they 
accuse the Americans of avarice, think their manners are over-bearing, 
and almost wish themselves back again under Spanish rule. 
Be this as it may, it will not be disputed that the 
Americans have made mistakes, and as colonisers 
they have a lot to learn. Had they even consulted 
some of the older European inhabitants of Manila, or had they entrust¬ 
ed Aguinaldo and other prominent leaders with a certain amount of 
power, and instituted some form of joint Government under an 
American Governor, it is more than probable that the Filipinos would 
have given up their arms, come to terms, and eventually settled down 
in contentment. By now the city, roads and churches might have 
been placed in a state of repair and a colonial army system started, 
instead of which the rebels were probably never more roused than 
now, the whole country is up, and they are daily seeing a beautiful 
city dropping into a worse state of decay, which they not unnaturally 
attribute to the work of the new invader. 
The Americans have had a difficult task before them and their chief 
difficulties have been caused by their inexperience as colonisers, at 
the same time they have, in many respects, done remarkably well. 
Their troops, a large number of which are volunteers, have been kept 
well in hand, and a high standard of discipline (though in many ways 
at variance with our system) has been maintained, for which every 
credit is due to them. Every unarmed Filipino enjoys the same 
privileges as any other inhabitant and is left unmolested. 
Unfortunately the Filipinos cannot be made to understand that the 
iLmerican. 
policy. 
