Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-23
desire it, but they stand ready to defend
their liberty until death.
Liberty VIII Bring Progress.

Liberty VIII Bring Progress.
1.-The Filipinos are convinced that liberty
will result in the progress and perfection
of the people, and will enable the country
to contribute to the progress of humanity
TO accomplish this end the Filipines fight
to the death and will not recede from any
obstacle that may oppose their progress,
and we are firmly convinced that We will
obtain Justice in the end Neither the I'M
Just imprisonments, the fortunes. assassi-
nations and other acts of tyranny COM
mitted by the Spaniards on the peaceful,
inoffensive Fi}ipinos cause them to de-
viate from the humane path which they
have chosen. The Spanish consider them
selves absolved from all obligations to us
because foreign powers refused to &C
knowledge our belligerency. The Spaniards
did not consider that education, national
honor and humanity are above laws writ
ten ard unwritten. No; the Fil1pinos Will
never retaliate in like upon the Spaniards,
and they only seek independence with
honor, liberty, just laws and desire that
their name shall be coupled with humani-
tartan sentiments.
I'm virtue of the above statement. the
undersigned, expressing the desire OF their
committee, hereby solemnly proclaim be-
fore the whole world the independence of
the Philippines. They acknowledge Emilio
AguinaldO as president of the revolution
the said president to ask for recognition
of belligerency and the formal acknowl-
edgment of independence, not only because
these acts involve an obligation of justice,
but because no one should be allowed to
contravene natural laws or suppress the
legitimate aspirations Of a people striving
for liberty.
Done at Cavite, August 1, 1898.
Leandro Ibana, secretary Of interior;
Emilio Aguinado, revolutionary president,
leaders
ated."
Would He Received as Individuals.
1t is probable that if Angoncilla and Lo-
pei, the two representatives of Aguinaldo,
who arrived yesterday at San Francisco,
call at the White House on their way
through Washington to Paris, they will be
admitted to see President Mckinley, but
only as individuals and not as representa-
tiVeS of any government. The President
would doubtless be glad to hear any views
these Filipnos might care to set out, being
fresh from the islands and thoroughly ac-
qualnted with the wishes of the insurgents.
But it will be plainly impolitic and incoH-
sistent for the President at this date, and
pending the conclusion Of the peace con-
terence at Paris to allow it to be under
stood, by according a formal reception to
the delegates, that he had thereby recog-
n,zcd the Philippine government as an in
dependent nationality. In other words his
attitude toward the Filipinos is expected to
be similar to that assumed by him toward
the Cubans.
AS the Filipinos have repeatedly by pub
lie declaration sought to convey the i'm
preston that the United States representa-
t1ves iii Manila have at some time during
the progress of the war recognized Aguin-
aldo as an Independent ally and entered in
to formal cooperation with him, it may be
stated that the government at Washington
Is so far unaware that any such thing has
happened. Admiral Dewey, who was in
command of all the United States forces
curing the most critical period, expressly
had entered into no formal agreement with
Aguinaldo 1t is known that if Gen. Otis
followed his instructions, and of that there
can be no doubt, he also has refrained
from entering any entangling agreements.
As for Consul General Wildman any I'M
dertaking he may have assumed with Agu-
inaido must have been upon his own per
sonal and individual responsibility and
would be without formal standing mas
much as he had not express authorization
from the State Department. absolutely red
u1site to negotiations in such cases There
fore, as the case now stands, the peace
commissioners are free to deal with the
Philippine problem at Paris absolutely
without restriction beyond that which
might be supposed to rise from sense of
moral obligation to avoid committing the
Filipinos again into the hands of their late
rulers and oppressors, the Spaniards, with
out adequate guarantee for their Drotec-
ton.