The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-29
PROSPECTS ARE BRIGHT.
Agopcilio Gives His Views of the Philip
pine Situation.

AgopciIIo Gives His Views of the Philip
pine situation.
Washington, Oct. 2s.-Senor Agoncillo,
the personal representative and envoy
of A~guinaldo. the Philippine insurgent
leader. who was recently In Washington
to secure a representation on the peace
commission. has written a lengthy ex-
PLANTATION OF the situation in Paris with
respect to the Philippines to a friend in
this city. A translation of his COM
m~unication with reference to this ques-
ton is as follows:
II am glad to say that the prospects
for my country and. my people are
brighter now than they were at the time
I left Washington. I must confess at
that time / was much disheartened and
a little disappointed at the result of our
visit to the American capital, but new
ertheless IL was not without the accom-
plishment of some good. which would
never have been wrought perhaps had
we not come there. The chief of these
was that the American impression and
understanding OF the Philippine islands
and their people was to a large extent
changed.
That was a most important thing
and l believe has had the effect of max
ing the American people more deter
mined that our country shall not be
driven back to Spain and above all
things what our people desire and the
desire Of the American people, i am
glad to believe, from wha / have
learned while In Paris. will be reflect
ed and carried out by the American
commissioners of peace.
II IA truthfully say hat the Amer
lean commissioners have treated us
with :he utmost courtesy and with
consideration so that we " bright
hopes for the outcome.
"On the other hand. while the Span
ish commissioners with whom. of
course, we have less to do. have acted
toward us In a gentlemanly manner
but nevertheless they W. in a man
ner showed that they considered the
representatives of the Philippine revo-
lutionary government ~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 of the islands In the
N peace treaty between the United
States and Spain.
However, this was nothing more
n a expected by us. especially as the
American government refused to allow
us a representation upon the commits
sion. Thus far the commission has pro-
crossed slowly. but this we regard as
favorable to our government. although
we do not desire to have the question
too long postponed, but in the meantime
the revolutionary government Is given
an opportunity to become better estab-
lished. to extend its control and in
fuence over the islands and the i'm
preston which this action will ave
will surely have a decided and favor
able effect upon the American commits
sioners when the matter Of the islands
is finally reached.
we are in constant communication
with President Aguinaldo and are kept
well advised OF the affairs of the gov
eminent and its movements. More
over. we shall. in a short time. receive
in Paris some important documents
from our government which we shall
lay before the commission n which /
am sure will tend to place us In a favor
able light.
While / cannot say that I have the
positive assurance. yet i am satisfied
from the knowledge ! have gained in
Paris that the American commissioners
will not consent that the Philippines or
any part of them shall be returned to
Spain.
"If that one thing alone Is gained, alb
solute independence from the sover-
eighty OF Spain. then the revolution or
| my people. the government established
by President Aguinaldo and our mis-
sion to Washington and to Paris have
net been in vain. but has Its lasting
! good. I cannot predict absolute indie
| pendence for my country Immediately.
but | believe that that is its Ultimate
destiny and ] have so reported TO my
government