The age-herald., 1898-07-10
HOW SPANIARDS
 KEPT FAITH

London, July 9.-One of Aguinaldo's lead CTS in the last Philippine revolt is living incognito in London and practically acting as Aguinaldo's agent, being In receipt oI constant telegrams ad letters from Cavite Questioned on the Philippine situation by a representative of the Associated Press he said: "The Philippine republic was pro- claimed in October, 1896, and it's first pres ident was Andreas Bonifacio. When he died over year ago Aguinaldo was elected president and commander-in-chef. On the arrival of Superintendent Primo De Rivera that officer adopted a policy of bringing the rebellion to an end by means of concessions, force having failed.
 Our leaders were approached and the result was the pact of Biaon Abato so called from the village where it was signed on December 14, 1897.
 "Senor Sagasta the other day denied that in that pact General Rivera promised any reforms. Here is an official copy of that pact wherein is promised the ban ishment or at least the disbanding, of the religious orders; Philippine representation in the cortes; the same administration of justice for the native as for the Spaniard; unity of law between the Philippines and
  of the Philippine civil administrations re- arrangement of the property of the friars and of the taxes in favor of the natives; recognition of the individual rights of the natives with liberty of public meeting and of the press, and a general amnesty. These sum up the native grievances, and' are what we shall expect the Americans will institute.
 For these reforms Aguinaldo and the other leaders promised if Rivera carried out the pact they would expatriate them selves for three years and foment no move- ment against Spanish authority during that time. Upon the rebels surrenderlng their army, ammunitions, forts, etc, Aguinaldo was to receive 100000 pesetas. This money Aguinaldo deposited in the Hong Kong and Shanghai bank at Hong Kong, not for his personal use, but as fund, the inter- est of which, in case the captain-general carried out his part of the pact, was to be devoted to the education of natives in Eng Iand In case the pact was not fulfilled by the Spaniards the money was to be used for arms and renew the rebellion. The captain-general never proclaimed general amnesty. deniedsthe existence of the pact and shot several rebel leaders who return ed to Manila on the strength of it.
 ''Since the renewal of the rebellion under the inspiration of Admiral Dewey's victory the present captain-general has approach ed Aguinaldo and his leaders and promised that if they would make common cause against the Americans he would carry out the reforms stated in the pact. As mark of bona fide he created a legislative council, to which he nominated twenty leading ministers of the Philippine repub- lie All overtures Were scornfully rejected.
 "The German pretensions are simply pre- posterous. They are practically little more than peddlers. All the large mercantile houses are English, who have in their hands quite ee-fourths, bulk and value, of the commerce. The banks, railway, telegraphs, cable and local steamship lines are English. The only cotton mills belong to the English, and the English control the sugar and hemp trades.
 "The Germans are trying for some of the heavier trade, but have not capital or credit. There is only one American house in Manila. There is only one Russian sub- ject on the island Up to now Spanish has been the official language, but by last weeks mail I learned Aguinaldo intends, as far as the republic is concerned, to sub stitute English.
 "The root cause of the Philippine rebel- Hons has always been the steady depriva- ton of the natives of their rights by the Spanards. Year by year security for life and property has diminished. Particularly so as to the native friar in the Philippines.