LUKBAN
The president of Catbalogan Victor Celis , however , said that it was not yet ripe to establish a provincial government for Samar because only seven municipalities were represented in the assembly . What could be done , he explained , was to organize under the municipal code those towns which had acknowledged American sovereignty . There were only six towns in the island garrisoned , and all were represented at the meeting . He thought when civil government is established , an American officer should be placed at its head . This because it will save the province its financial resources . Moreover , an American would better understand how to administer the office according to American ideas . He said the efforts made by those who desired peace to bring about an end of the struggle were without avail , and recommended that more soldiers be sent to the island and that every town be garrisoned .
Asked if the people were ready to help the Americans , he said that some of them were , and that others were only awaiting the arrival of American troops to proclaim themselves in favor of law and order . Some discussion ensued as to whether the people were really willing to furnish the information necessary to enable American troops to accomplish results .
Andres Reyes , president of the Federal party in Samar , said the Federal party was organized in the island and already had 140 members . He tried to dispel a rumor that the money collected by voluntary subscription among the members of the Federal party was sent to Manila and used to buy arms to fight the Americans . Because of such a rumor , many who wanted to join the party backed out . The speaker said that the rumor was being circulated by people in Catbalogan whoso names had been brought to the attention of the military authorities , but nothing had been done so far .
Reyes then presented a petition to the Commission , setting forth the obstacles which the Federal party had encountered , which he said could be proven by reference to the military commanders . He asked that reinforcements be sent to the island and divided into small parties among the different pueblos to maintain order and prevent attacks from the outside . He also asked for the organization of the towns under the municipal code .
Benedicto Sabater , a colonel under Lukban in the early days of the war , said that every possible effort to secure the surrender of those in arms had been unavailing , admitting publicly that he had given himself up to the Americans when they came . He agreed with Reyes that a civil government had to be established in the island , backed up by a strong military force “ to maintain law and order .” He explained that there were enough persons capable of assuming the functions of government who
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