THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTH CROSS. WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1899.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11059, 10 May 1899, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTH CROSS. WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1899.

The announcement made in our columns yesterday that Aguinaldo, the leader of tho Filipinos, had formally recosni ed the sovereignty of the United Slates in the Philippines, may be accepted as an indication that the war has terminated, and that the natives are now willing to sue for peace. Thou"h the final isiuo of the unequal conflict that was being waged in the Philippines between the disciplined and well-equipped American troops and tho insurgents was never tor a moment in doubt, it was generally anticipated that the stniggle would be a "retracted one. The natives, it is true, were badly armed and indifferently officered, but they had shown themselves not deficient in bravery, and possessed at least an elementary knowledge of military tactics, derived mainly from their Spanish training. Tho natural difficulties of the country were alsr. greatly in tlieii favour. Thoroughly familial with every mountain pass and pathway, moving among a rural population in active sympathy with them, and from whom supplies were readily obtainable, and uncuciunbered with tho impedimenta of a modern army, they were much more ■idvantageniisly circumstanced than tho attacking forces. Tho United States troops could move only slowly and with great difficulty, hampered as tliev were with heavy guns, and stores and bntr'-'ace, and operating in a climate severely Irving to European soldiers. Considerini; theso conditions, there nivu'iirod to be every probability of a long and twilv war before the natives were, completely subjugated and the country pacified. In all likelihood this expectation would have been fulfilled had the rebel leaders chosen to continue resistance, but happily wiser counsels seem to have Prevailed, due, no doubt, to tho conciliatory spirit manifested by the American authorities. It was stated "nine time ago that the stubborn do fence of the Filipino.? had won for them a much •jivniiT respect than their opponent-i at. first entertained. Their liii'litinir eapaeilv came as a revelation to tho Americans, and seemed to deeply impress the public, judging from the changed tone of the press, H was no doubt lanrelv owiiv to this revulsion of feelin" that, fleneral Otis was instructed to do whit he could to brill" about a termination of hostilities con-estcntlv with the honour and paramount, interims of the United States. On the. other hand, the native.; themselves had intelligence enou'jh to recognise thai thomrh their stni'.'L'ie for indeprndciice mk'ht be protracted almost, indefinitely, it was 'loomed to failure, and that in a contest with an energetic •• nd powerful nation like America, they stood 110 chance. Airuinaldo, who is a man of considerable ability, must have been well aware that lie was more likely to arrange belter terms with the Americans by submitting at this stage. Rut whatever may have been the reasons at work, it is satisfactory that the war has at last, been brought to ft conclusion.

It. would bo ,i mistake, however, to suppose that the Americans nro now out of their difficulties. If the military troubles have ended, tlieii civil (roubles are only just beginning. Although the Filipinos have shown themselves to be brave enough in the field, it by 110 means follows that they are capable of being entrusted with selfgovernment., .mid the constitution of the United Stales contains 110 provision for the administration of a foreign dependency like the Philippines, nor has America a highly-trained civil service like England, containing men accustomed to the control of native races and t.r. administrative work in distant colonics. The, problem which the United States have now to face is how to govern the Philippines. It is one that has been enquiring the serious consideration of some of the ablest statesmen in America ever since the epoch-making decision was arrived at to retain the islands. So far 110 definite arrangement has been decided upon, but the plan most favoured is that adopted in British crown colonies. Whether this would prove acceptable to the. natives it is impossible to say. Hut if tlieii leaders can be placated they would probably be willing enough to acquiesce. There is no reason for believing that they art so passionately wedded k the idea of absolute independence that thev would not be content with tho just, and liberal rule of America, under whatever form it may be established. It was owing mainly to Aguinaldo's personal magnetism that they were induced to take up arms against their deliverer? from their Spanish taskmasters. The chief difficulty will bo to satisfy his ambitious aspirations and those of his colleagues. But American diplomacy will 110 doubt be as successful (is American generalship.