The Americans are sure to subdue the Philippines, for the
Spaniards did, and they are far stronger than the Spaniards. Moreover, the Tugela, who alone signify, are just civilised enough to understand the good treatment and gradual "assimilation" to the position of American citizens which the Government of Washington has now officially and publicly promised them. It is possible, however, that a process of subjugation may have to be gone through. The Tagal leaders have evidently got their heads in air, and have two strong levers in working on the people,—viz., the fury against the Spaniards, and the universal horror of the monks. They will, they say, only surrender the Spanish prisoners if the Tagal "rebels" in Spanish hands, who number three thousand men, are released and sent back to the islands. That is a natural condition enough ; but in making any conditions at all, Aguinaldo and the rest impeach American sovereignty. Furthermore, they demand that the Pope shall deal with them direct, actually making a concordat with them, under which the privileges of the monks shall all be cancelled, all ecclesiastical power left to the secular clergy, and all Bishops appointed from their ranks, with lay consent. The Pope will, of course, reply with a non postmmus, and there is, we fancy, grave danger that the Tagale will solve the question by a general massacre of all monks in the islands. Mr. McKinley will have to act at once and decisively, and we suspect must begin by arresting all the Tagal leaders.
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