The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-29
PHILIPPINES ARE
LOST TO SPAIN
Situation as Viewed by
AgoncilIo.
NATIVE EMISSARY. WRITES
PROBABLE REsULToF THE PARIS
CONFERENCE.
NATIVE EMISSARY. WRITES
Confident That the American Peace
Commission Will Never Sur
render the Eastern
Archipelago.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, Oct. g. - Senior
Agoncillo, the personal representative
and envoy of Aguinaldo, the Philippine
insurgent leader, who was recently here
to secure a representation on the
Peace Commission, has written a
lengthy explanation of the situation in
Paris with respect to the Philippines
TO a friend in this city. A translation
of his communication with reference to
this question is as follows:
1 am glad to say that the prospects for
my country and my people are brighter
now than they were at the time / left
Washington.
I must confess that at that time 1 was
much disheartened and a little disap-
pointed at the result of our visit to the
American capital but, nevertheless, 1t
was not without the accomplishment of
some good, which would never have been
wrought perhaps had we not gone there.
The chief of these was that the American
impression and understanding of the Phil
ippine Islands and their people was, to a
large extent changed.
That was a most important thing, and
l believe has had the effect of making the
American people more determined that
our country shall not be given back TO
Spain and, above all things, what our
people desire and the desire of the Ameri-
can people, l am led to believe, from
what I have learned while in Paris, will
be reflected and carried out by the
American Commissioners of Peace.
can truthfully say that the Ameri-
can Commissioners have treated US with
the utmost courtesy and with coHSidera-
ton, so that we have bright hopes or the
outcome.
On the other hand, while the Spanish
Commissioners with whom of course, we
have had less TO do, have acted toward
us in a gentle manner, they have, never
! theless, shown that they considered the
representatives of the Philippine revolu-
tionary government as intruders in Paris,
and that we should be ignored entirely
especially so far as having anything at
all TO say with reference to the disposition
I of the islands in the final peace treaty
between the United States and Spain.
However, this was nothing. more than
was expected by us, especially if the
American Government refused to allow
US representation on the commission.
Thus fan the commission has pro-
gressed sic WHY, but this we regard as
favorable tN our Government, although
long postponed, but in the meantime the
revolutionary government is given an
opportunity TO become better estab-
lished to extend its control and influence
over the islands, and the impression
which this action win convey will surely
have a decided and favorable effect upon
the American Commissioners when the
matter of the islands is finally reached.
We are in constant communicatio
with President Agufnaldo and are kept
well advised Of the affairs of the Govern
ment and its movements Moreover, we
shall in short time receive in Paris
some important documents from our
Government which we shall lay before
the commission, and which am sure,
will tend to place US in a favorable light.
While 1 cannot say that l have. the
positive assurance. yet l am satisfied
from the knowledge have gained in
Paris that the American Commissioners
will not consent that the Philippine ISL
ands or any part of them shall be re-
turned to Spain.
If that one thing alone is gained-ab-
solute Independence from the sovereignty
of Spain-then the revolution of my peo-
pie. the government established by Agui,
naldo and our mission to Washington and
TO Paris have not been in vain.
1 cannot predict absolute independence
for my country Immediately. but believe
have so reported to my Government.