History of Philippine press / Carson Taylor.

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History of the Philippine Press

El Correo del Oriente was founded December 1, 1899,
by Romero Salas, the present editor of El Mercantil and the
oldest newspaper man in the islands. He published the paper
in Hongkong. The purpose and policy is indicated clearly
by the editorial announcement in the first number which
reads: "Spain must do today what she did not do yesterday,
impress her soul upon the Philippines so strongly that it
cannot be eradicated. She is obliged to look for absolution
for her past faults in a generous and disinterested concourse
in favor of harmony, with a prolonged effort for the good
of that unfortunate nation. From such necessity is the origin of the life of this paper."
The paper did not last long, perhaps for the reason
that no results toward accomplishment of the announced
purpose were apparent.
The Filipino papers started in 1899 in the order in
which they were founded were: La Oportunidad (published
at Tagbilaran, Bohol), La Democracia, Gaceta de Filipinas,
El Grito del Pueblo, Ang Kapatid Ng Bayan, Libafigan Nang
Lahat, La Voz del Pueblo, El Filipino Libre and Ang Paraluman Nang Tagalog. Not a single one of these is in existence today.
The most important of these papers was La Democracia, diario Filipino independiente. La Democracia, while
it proclaimed itself to be independent, became the organ of
the Federal party, which supported the American government. The first number appeared May 16, 1899, with this
editorial announcement under the heading "Our Purposes":
"The proclamation published by the American commission on the 4th of April last, is of extreme importance to
every Filipino. A careful study of that document, clearly
foretells the great benefits which should come to the Philippines as a result of American sovereignty.
"The commission assures the Filipino people of the good
will and fraternal feelings of the President and the people of
the United States, whom it represents, announcing the purpose of that nation to insure the welfare, prosperity and
happiness of the people of this country as well as their development and evolution to a position of honor among the
more civilized people of the world.
"Noble purposes and promises so solemnly made, must
be considered seriously by the people of these islands at this
important time in their history."
It approved of American sovereignty and concluded:
"We want peace. We are Filipinos, we deplore and consider
useless the shedding of more blood of our brothers.