The special Civil Commissioners ordered to inquire into the condition
of the Philippines have sent in their first Report. Its drift is that the Filipinos are entirely unfitted as yet for self- government ; that they would, but for Agnivaldo, have welcomed the Americans ; that they at his instigation began the war after the Spanish surrender; and that it is absolutely necessary to subjugate them before thinking of free municipal institutions, which otherwise would result in anarchy. The Report has had great effect in America, and has helped the Republicans to a victory in the Fall Elections so decided that it will probably ensure a second term to Mr. McKinley. As Admiral Dewey has finally refused to be nominated, Mr. McKinley will have no popular competitor, and will therefore be allowed a free hand for another four years. He should remove General Otis, who, whether able or not, certainly fails as an administrator, and insist, as the troops advance, on establishing civil govern- ment behind them. At present there is very little, and the Outlook publishes an extraordinary story that the Catholic Archbishop demands, obviously as the price of his support, that all Protestant missionaries should be silenced. The islands evidently want a strong Chief Commissioner or Civil Governor, or whatever may be the American equivalent for Viceroy.
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