LUKBAN
had experience in the former regime .
Sabater also asked for schools , saying that the people were very “ uncultured ,” but he was later told that a complete system of education for the islands was in project and that Samar would be given a part in it when the situation warranted . He said the establishment of civil government in the islands would be a “ great pacificator ” and those still in the field would “ receive an object lesson and they would see that the great American nation was carrying out its promises to grant civil liberties and individual rights to the people .” He believed the implanting on such a government at this time would wield such an influence that the great majority of those now in the mountains would come in . He was told that the Commission had already established a civil government in Leyte , and the people could get their lesson there .
Another pro-American who was present in the meeting , Vicente Jazmines , tried to explain that the trouble in Samar was different from that in other islands . Speaking about the revolutionists who were still in the hills , he described them as people “ who had never done an honest day ’ s work in their lives .” He said they would not surrender and , therefore , had to be “ pursued and exterminated .”
Jazmines also said “ nobody could safely deal with them .” He added that the greater part of them were natives of the island , while the officers came from Luzon . But he had a good word about Lukban , saying “ he was the only man among them who had any sense .” Like the other local Federalistas , he favoured the establishment of a civil government but headed by an American officer , saying the towns should be garrisoned before any civilian government was set up . Jazmines was the last spokesman for the Federalistas in that meeting .
Finally , it was the president ’ s ( Andres Reyes ) turn to address the assembly . His closing statements were final and carried authority . He said the conditions in Samar were such that the putting up of a civilian government could not be justified as yet .
“ We do not desire to set up a government which will only be a government in name , reserving to the military authorities the real power . The condition of things in this island is now such that it needs the strong hand of the military to bring about the proper condition of affairs .” He added that with the rebels still in the mountains , with their spies and sympathizers in every town , it would be risky for the Commission to risk the life of putting civilian officers in the towns which are under constant threat , without giving them adequate protection . Instead , what needed to be done was to send more troops to Samar so that “ the voice of the majority of the people of Samar may be given free expression .”
If there was any town that desired a government under the municipal
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