AFFAIRS IN MINDANAO, PARTITION OF AFRICA, DECISION HANDED DOWN, AND DEATH OF MRS. SARAH J. SWEET

 

Judge William Taft.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, May 27, 1901.

AFFAIRS IN MINDANAO.

Idea of Self-Government For That Island Abandoned.

INHABITANTS MOSTLY SAVAGES.

Peaceful and Friendly to Americans, Are Prosperous and Contented Under American Rule, But Have No Conception of Self-Government Ideals.

   DAPITAN, Island of Mindanao, May 27.—For some time past the United States commission has been steaming around the coasts of Mindanao, touching at its principal ports, to interview the lending inhabitants gathered in from the adjacent districts, and to declare to them the purpose of the United States government concerning them. Two important points were settled, namely, that Mindanao shall not be governed by local governments and that slavery shall be abolished.

   The commissioners came to Mindanao with the intention of establishing several provincial governments, but they were not long in abandoning that intention. That much was soon decided at Zamboanga and the further the commissioners penetrated into the country and the more familiar they became with the heterogeneous character of its people the more they were convinced of the unwisdom of attempting to apply any considerable measure of civil government on American lines to people, the great majority of whom are nothing more or less than savages; peaceful and thoroughly friendly to the Americans, perfectly willing to be advised and overruled by them, but having no conception of, nor desire for, anything approaching self-government ideals. There is therefore no longer any question but that Mindanao and adjacent islands are to be ruled for years to come by a government general in character and directly representative of the central government to be established in Manila, July 1.

   At Cattabatto, one day out from Zamboanga, the commission party got into contact with one phase of the real life of Mindanao. The town was found to be practically all Chinese. Chinese traders at Cattabatto have business connections at Singapore and Hong Kong, which bring advantages both to the Moros and themselves.

   At military headquarters a long private conference was held by the commissioners with representatives of all interests involved. The Chinese testified with frankness, intelligence and sincerity concerning their doings and their relations with the savages. Questioned whether they intended returning to China, they replied in the negative. The greatest, wealthiest and cleverest Datto in all the region is Piang, who is half Chinaman and half Moro. He is also the original friend to the Americans.

Contented Under American Rule.

   While the Chinese hearing was in progress the town was rapidly filling with clans of Moros from near and far. The principal Dattos with their advisers were brought in for conference, a group at a time and encouraged to talk about their conditions and affairs. The gist of their testimony was that they were more prosperous and contented under American rule than ever before, because they felt their rights to be more settled and secure, and they seemed to have no objection to continuing matters as at present, so far as government control went.

   The question of slavery was scarcely touched upon in the conference except incidentally but President Taft afterward assured the press correspondent that since the constitution prohibits slavery in any territory governed by the United States, the question would be dealt with. No prohibition of polygamy is likely to be enforced at present, at least against the savages of the Southern Philippine Islands. The commission quitted Cattabatto with ideas considerably enlarged and clarified as to the situation in that part of the country.

   The party arrived at Davao the morning of April 4. Davao is so remotely situated that the news of the surrender of Aguinaldo had not previously reached the garrison. The chiefs of all the tribes in the vicinity came in turn before the commissioners and related the circumstances, conditions and customs of themselves and their peoples, and told about their relations with other tribes.

   Besides the Moros there were representatives of several tribes indigenous to Mindanao and found nowhere else. These included the Bagabas, Atos, Manobos, Guinagas, Drulanganos and the Samales. The Samales are most distant from the rest. Though less bright mentally they are more industrious and steady and keep no slaves. They stated unanimously that things had been very well with them under American rule and apparently they had no desire for a civil government beyond that outlined to them by President Taft, namely a general departmental government for the Southern islands.

No Savages at Surigao.

   Coming from the extreme southeast to the farthest northeast point of Mindanao, the commission once more arrived in a land inhabited almost exclusively by Filipinos. No savages of any sort were found at Surigao. Five presidents happened at the time to be in jail, having been arrested for holding too intimate relations with the insurrectos. Otherwise the place is entirely peaceful with but one company of troops in the whole province. Captain Hendricks, the local commander, joined with the leading Visayans in recommending the establishment of a provincial government. This the commissioners promise to do shortly.

   Sunday was far from being a day of rest for the commissioners, or the people of Cayagan, the commercial metropolis of Northern Mindanao. The commission was in session there nearly all day. The first person to grasp the hand of President Taft when he climbed from the ship's cutter in the wharf was Genera Capistrano, who before his surrender less than a fortnight previous, was the chief insurgent of Mindanao, and whose surrender practically ended hostilities in the island. At the business sessions Capistrano occupied a front seat, and by invitation of President Taft, spoke intelligently upon the questions discussed. He thanked the commission for inaugurating so liberal a form of government for the province of Misamis as the one outlined, and said its provisions were in fact beyond the aspirations of the people. For himself, Capistrano said that he gladly laid down his arms and swore allegiance to the United States when he came to understand American intentions.

   The commission then left the shores of Mindanao and proceeded to Damaguot to determine as to conditions in Orienta Negros and establish the usual uniform system of provincial government in both the great provinces of Negros.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

The Partition of Africa.

   The London Times announces that under the two agreements concluded by Lord Salisbury with the French government in 1898 and 1899, the more recent agreement with Germany and an agreement, yet unpublished, between France and Spain, the partition of the dark continent is now complete, nothing remaining but boundary delimitation.

   Any statement of ownership, protectorate or sphere of influence in Africa must be more or less approximate, but The Times presents figures which it believes to be nearly correct. The total area of Africa in round numbers is 11,500,000 square miles. In the appropriation of territory France leads, having 3,804,974 square miles. Great Britain comes second, with 2,713,910, and Germany third, with 933,380, which is doing well, since it was late in joining in the scramble. The remainder of the territory is divided as follows: Italy, 188,500 square miles; Portugal, 790,124; Spain, 169,150; Turkey, 398,900; Egypt, 1,010,000, while the separate states, Abyssinia, Morocco, Liberia and Kongo Free State, represent the remaining 1,491,000.

   France leads in the race as far as superficial area is concerned, the Sahara region swelling its total, but if Egypt and the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan were absolutely English Great Britain would closely crowd France in area. So far as political and trade influence is concerned,  Great Britain will lead all the nations, assuming that she becomes master of South Africa and succeeds in adding the Transvaal and the Orange Free State to her possessions. Doubtless this will be the ultimate result of the South African war, but Great Britain is paying a tremendous and well nigh ruinous price for these acquisitions. Will they be worth to the empire all they are costing in treasure and blood?

   ◘ Mark Twain read from his writings to the professors and students of Princeton the other evening. The reading was not advertised, yet Alexander hall was uncomfortably crowded with an appreciative audience. In closing Mr. Clemens said: "It is not my purpose to lecture any more as long as I live. I never intend to stand on a platform any more until by request of the sheriff or something like that." Whatever differences of opinion there may be regarding Mr. Clemens' notions as to missionaries, he is recognized as the premier humorist, and the American people will regret his decision to retire permanently from the lecture platform. Perhaps, however, like some distinguished operatic and dramatic artists, he may be constrained to make a few annual "farewell tours."

 

WITHDRAWN FROM CHINA.

   WASHINGTON, May 27.—General Chaffee, in a dispatch of yesterday's date to the war department, announces the departure this morning from Taku of the American troops. They will arrive under favorable circumstances at Manila about the end of the week.

 

Alton Parker.

DECISION HANDED DOWN.

Order Reversed—Issues of the Case May Now be Tried.

   A decision has just been handed down by the appellate division, Chief Justice Parker writing the opinion reversing the order made by Judge Forbes at Binghamton, N. Y., last October in the case of the Cortland Home Telephone company against William R. Huntington as executor, Wilhelmina Randall and Antoinette R. Huntington.

   This case will be remembered as one of great interest last fall, when the telephone company sought to condemn a right of way along Port Watson and Pendleton-sts., abutting the Randall property. The case was argued at Binghamton by Bronson & Davis and Nathan L. Miller for the plaintiffs and J. & T. E Courtney and O. U. Kellogg for the defendant on Oct. 2 last, and Judge Forbes denied the petition and consolidated the action with an injunction action brought by the Randalls.

   From this order an appeal was taken by the plaintiff, the appeal being argued at the last term of the appellate division in Albany by Rowland L. Davis, attorney for the telephone company, and by T. E. Courtney for the respondents. The order has been reversed as above stated, all the judges concurring in the decision. The plaintiff can now apply to special term for a trial of the issues involved in its petition and the defendants' answer. The decision is an important one to the telephone company. Bronson & Davis, attorneys for plaintiff. J. & T. E. Courtney with O. U. Kellogg of Cortland, attorneys for defendant.

 

JOHN W. OSGOOD

Died Saturday Night in Cincinnatus—Funeral Yesterday at 2 p. m.

   Mr. John W. Osgood, who for many years had been a resident of Cincinnatus, N. Y., died at his home in that village Saturday night at about 6 o'clock having suffered a shock of paralysis the previous Saturday. Mr. Osgood had never married. He was a veteran of the civil war and was during the greater part of the war employed in the commissary general's office in New York. He was a member of the Masonic lodge and chapter of Greene and was one of the charter members of Cortland chapter, No. 194, R. A. M. He was also a member of Malta Commandery, K. T., of Binghamton. Mr. Osgood was an inveterate reader and his library, which is very extensive, is considered one the finest private libraries in this vicinity. He is survived by two brothers, Mr. George Osgood of Cincinnatus and Mr. Charles G. Osgood of Wellsboro, Pa. His age was 73 years, 9 months and 16 days. The funeral will be held tomorrow at 2 o'clock at the house.

 

DEATH OF MRS. S. J. STREET.

Widow of the Late Rev. Thomas Street of This City.

   Mrs. Sarah J. Street, widow of the late Thomas Street, who from May, 1873, to Oct., 1878, was pastor of the Presbyterian church in this city, died at her home, 31 Prospect-st. early this morning. Her health began to fail seriously last year, but when she left Cortland for Lakewood, N. J., in April she was considerably improved.  The improvement was not permanent, however, and when she again began to fail, the decline was rapid. From Lakewood she went to New York City early in May, and there she grew steadily worse till her physician advised her removal to Cortland last Friday.

   Mrs. Street was born in Mellenville, N. Y., March 22, 1883, and was the oldest daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Jacob Berger, her father being a Reformed clergyman of considerable note, who died when she was only nine years of age. The family of three daughters and one son was reared by the mother, who was related to some of the oldest and most substantial of the Dutch families in that section of the state. Mrs. Street's brother, Rev. Martin L. Berger, was for some years pastor of the Reformed church in Syracuse, N. Y., and held other important charges.

   She was married to Rev. Thomas Street—then connected with the American Sunday-school union—Dec. 22, 1852. About a year later Dr. Street was called to the pastorate of a Presbyterian church in Philadelphia, then to York, Pa., then to New York City, and in May, 1873, to the Presbyterian church in this city.

   Three children were born to her, one of whom, a daughter, Louise Street, died ten years since. Her son, Charles S. Street of New York City, her daughter, Mrs. Helen S. Clark of this city and her brother, now of Oakland, Cal., survive her.

   To those who have known Mrs. Street through the years since she came with her gifted husband and her youthful family to make her home in Cortland, the tidings of her death will come freighted with tender and beautiful memories. Her tall, graceful figure, her lovely and expressive face, her sympathetic voice, her animated manner, made up a personality certain to attract all with whom she was associated. And the promise of the first impression was abundantly fulfilled as the character which it indicated became known.

   A woman of unusual intellectual power, of clear insight, of unfailing energy, she was always a wise counselor, a sympathetic listener, a faithful friend. The enthusiasm with which she undertook any duty, or helped in forming and carrying out any new plan of action in church or social life, was a powerful element in lifting others up to her plane of feeling. She was one of the most helpful persons we have ever had among us in the inspiration which seemed to pervade the very atmosphere which surrounded her.

   The women of the Foreign Missionary society of the church, of which Dr. Street was pastor, will never forget her long presidency, nor the influence she exerted by her earnest words and her heartfelt sympathy and active labor for those outside the life-giving knowledge of Christianity. As recently as last winter when, notwithstanding her broken health, she addressed us, as we now know for the last time, the ringing tones of her voice unsteady with suppressed tears, touched anew the hearts of those who listened and roused them to greater effort in the cause she so loved.

   It was impossible to be insensible to the magnetism of her personality, and to the strength of her belief in the certainty of achieving whatever could be carried for sanction to him in whom she put her trust. Here, perhaps, was after all, the strongest point of her character. She was thoroughly convinced that whatever came into her life was of the Lord, and that there was always a silver lining to the darkest cloud, and she never failed to find at least the border of that bright lining. Her trust was too high, too real, to be disturbed by doubts or questions, and in the severest trials she could always find cause for thanksgiving.

   The sorrow which her death brings to all who knew her is mingled, as she would wish it to be, with rejoicing for her joy in the new life to which she has attained, and in the reunion with her husband and daughter to which she looked forward so confidently.

   Hers was an individuality singularly strong and high. To those who knew her well, these few words will seem poor and cold; to those who did not know her they can give but little idea of the many sided, yet wholly consecrated, nature of this true "Christian lady'' whose loss we mourn today. C. E. B.

 

Mrs. Frances Rose O'Brien.

   Mrs. Frances Rose O'Brien, wife of Mr. Nathaniel O'Brien, 22 North Church-st., died last night from a complication of diseases following grip. She is survived by her husband and three children, William Mosher Clark, Miss Frances Jane Clark  and Alma O'Brien. Besides these she has one sister, Miss Rebecca Mosher, who resides in Rochester. The funeral will be held Wednesday at 11:30 at the house and 12 o'clock at Grace Episcopal church.

 

Party at Dresserville, N. Y.

   Harry Rhoads will give his opening party at Lawrence hall, Dresserville, Friday evening. May 31. F. C. Blakley's orchestra of six pieces including a celebrated harpist from Syracuse will furnish the music. Mr. Rhoads assures any one a good time. Bill $1. Horse care extra.

 

Decoration Day at Blodgett Mills, N. Y.

   Decoration Day will be observed at the Baptist church in Blodgett Mills under the auspices of the W. C. T. U. Line of march will form at 6:30, going directly to the cemetery, where veterans' graves will be decorated with flags and flowers, afterward return to the church where appropriate exercises will be held. Local talent will be employed and the program will include recitations and singing, and an address by Glenn W. Woodin.

 

Thomas Co. Auto-Bi.

A New Auto-bi.

   Mr. E. B. Richardson of the City Cycle Co. has received a new auto-bi from the Thomas Motor Bicycle Co., Buffalo, and has been exercising the same on the streets today. This wheel is for Mr. Richardson's private use, but he is the agent for them here in Cortland and will handle them.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The [bicycle] sidepath to East Homer has been placed in very ridable condition by the Sidepath association.

   —The annual meeting of the Poultry association for the election of officers and selection of dates for the next show will be held in Fireman's hall this evening at 8 o'clock.

   —The trial and special term of supreme court reconvenes at the court house at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning, Hon. Gerrit A. Forbes presiding. Only issues of fact, triable by the court, will be presented.

   —Some samples of cover paper were loaned from the STANDARD job rooms some days ago to a party who promised to return them the next day. They have not yet been brought back and it would be a favor if they might be returned at once as they are needed.

   —The loan exhibition of the D. A. R. begins tomorrow afternoon in the Cobb building on Railroad-st. The members are getting together a great number of relics of colonial and revolutionary days and are really surprised at the display which they will be able to exhibit when the time comes.

   —The bicycle of A. K. Weatherwax stolen Friday night from in front of the Cortland House was found Saturday night in front of a house on Townley-ave., where it had evidently been abandoned. The owner did not have the satisfaction of getting a grip on the thief, but he was glad to recover the wheel.

   —New display advertisements today are —Boy Phenomenon, Magnetism, page 4; City Laundry, Laundry work, page 5; J. W. Cudworth, Optician, page 7; Warren Tanner & Co., Ladies' suits, page 2; Palmer & Co., Pineapples, page 6; C. F. Brown, Gum camphor, page 7; Opera House, "Joshua Simpkins," page 5.