The record-union., 1898-09-24
Issues an Address to the Govern
ments of Europe
For the Recognition Of BeIIigerency and
independence.
No Mention of the United States
or the American Forces in the
Philippines Made in the Docu-
ment Which Agoncilo is Car
rying to Europe

CHICAGO, Sept. 23-The t'Tribune's"
special from Manila, dated August
Goth via San Francisco September 23d
says: Aguinaldo and his chiefs have
made a plea to the Powers for recog-
milton of belligerency and independence.
Agoncilo, his agent, who was passen-
ger on the steamer China, is on his way
to Europe to submit the question to
foreign arbitration. Before proceed
ing to Europe, Agoncilo will stop in
Washington and try to impress the Ad-
ministration with his appeal. No men
tion of the United States or any Amer
lean force is made in the document
which he carries. The appeal is as fol-
lows:
ITO the foreign Powers: The rev.
Olutionary Government of the Philip
pines, which was constituted according
to the scheme explained in the procla
nation dated June 23d in which the
true causes of the Philippine revolu-
tion were set forth. has demonstrated
that this popular movement is due to
the unanimous desire for just laws by
people who aspire to progress and
perfection, and which can only be OBJ
tained by one road to liberty.
This revolution actually dominates
the provinces Of Cavite, Bantangas,
Mindoro, Tyabas, Laguna, Morong, Bu-
lacan, Bataan, Pampanga, Nuevacija,
Tarlac, Pangasinan, Union Infanta y
Zambales and the capital city of Ma
Mia. In these provinces there reign
good order and perfect tranquility, laws
are administered by authorities who
were elected by the people according to
the regulations of organic DEGREES of
June 18th and Odd
The revolution also has some 5000
prisoners of war, and these are treated
with all the usages and regulations of
civilized warfare and humanitarian
sentiment. On a war footing we have
10000 combatants organized in the
form of a regular army.
In this condition the chiefs of COM
munities in the beforeme ntioned prov
inces, desirous of interpreting the SER
timents that animate those by whom
they have been chosen having pro-
claimed the independence of the Philip
pines, have requested the revolutionary
Government to entreat and pray of the
foreign Governments the acknowledge
ment of the belligerency and independ-
ence Of the Philippines.
ITO prove the complete security in
which the Filipinos now live, how they
are both able and willing to govern
themselves, the accompanying docu-
ment, signed by the chiefs is submitted
with this appeal. Exercising the au-
thorfty vested in me as President of
the Revolutionary Government of the
philippines, and in the name and as
representative of this people. l implore
the aid of all the Powers of the civilized
world. and beg them earnestly to pro-
ceed with the formal recognition of the
belligerency of the Philippines and in
dependence of the Government.
The Powers are the means designat-
ed ey Providence to maintain the euui-
Ebrium between people, supporting the
weak and checking the strong, and thus
by this means there will be realized
complete justice and indefinite progress
of humanity.
EMILIO AGUINALDO.
''Bacoor, August 8, 1898"
Aguinaldo's appeal is based on the
following action of the chiefs:
THE undersigned chiefs of the COM
munities which comprise the provinces
In which the revolutionary Government
is established, elected as representa-
tives Of the people in the manner de-
scribed by the DEGREES of June 18th and
I'D, and having been confirmed by the
President and taken the oath of of
flee, have met in general assembly and
solemnly proclaimed Philippine inde-
pendence. With this proclamation they
make the following declaration:
With an improvised and unprepared
army the revolutionists have shown
great bravery, giving examples of bril-
liant feats Of arms and exercised a self
control which finds no parallel After
practically terminating the war they
did not give way to excesses or ill-treat
the enemy. On the contrary, they
conducted themselves as becomes a
noble and humane people. They put
aside their arms and returned to their
regular occupations. These facts clear
ly prove that the Filipinos were not ere
ated for slavery, but possess a perfect
idea of order and justice. They shun
savage life and love the arm Of peace.
Furthermore, surprising as 1t may
seem, the Filipinos are giving proof of
their ability to make laws in harmony
with the march of time. They know
how to respect and obey the law-an in
dication that their national habits are
inclined to progress. They are not am
bilious for power, honor or riches. They
are solely influenced by a just desire for
liberty and self-government. They are
inspired by the highest patriotism and
honor, and in the cause Of liberty did
not hesitate to sacrifice both life and
fortune. This admirable characteristic
proves clearly the necessity of giving
them liberty and independence. Not
only do they desire it, but they stand
ready to defend their liberty until
death.
THE Filipinos are convinced that lib
erty will result in the progress and per-
fection OF the people, and will enable
the country to contribute to the pro-
gress OF humanity. To accomplish this
end the Filipinos fight to the death, and
will not recede from any obstacle that
may oppose their progress, and we are
formally convinced we will obtain JUS
tice in the end. Neither the unjust i'm
prisonments, tortures, assassinations
and other acts of tyranny committed by
the Spaniards on the peaceful, inoffen-
sive Filipinos cause them to deyiate