The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-12
NEGOTIATIONS WITH REBELS.
How the Cooperation of the Philip
pine Insurgents Was Secured.

VANCOUVER, June 11.-Some very inter-
esting information was brought by the
steamer Empress of Japan from Hong
Kong regarding negotiations between the
Philippine rebel chief and the United States
at Singapore. 1t seems that just before the
actual outbreak of hostilities between Spain
and the United States, Singapore was the
scene of a secret political arrangement by
which Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Femi,
preme head of the revolutionary movement
in the Philippines entered into direct re-
latons with Admiral Dewey while that of
ficer was still at Hong-Kong.
In order to understand and appreciate this
interesting historical incident properly it
will be necessary to allude to the causes
leading to this second appearance of the
rebellion in the Philippines which was al
most coincident with though not instigated
by the strained relations between Spain and
the United States In December last, Gen.
Primo de Rivera, who, above all other
Spanish generals. had intimate knowledge
of the country and its inhabitants. found
the position untenable for both parties.
Neither of these had the remotest chance
to terminate the rebellion decisivey, the
rebels being secure in their mountain fast
nesses the Spaniards holding the chief
towns and villages on the coast. Primo de
Rivera, therefore, sent ten well-known
Philippine natives, occupying high posi-
tions in Manila. to propose terms of peace
to Aguinaldo A council of the revolution
airy government was held in which 1t was
agreed to lay down their arms on condi-
ton of certain reforms being introduced.
Primo de Rivera agreed to these reforms in
substance, and made its condition that the
nriY, he
try during his Majesty's pleasure. AS these
leaders had lost all of their property or had
it conhscated and plundered. the govern
ment agreed to provide them with funds to
live in becoming manner on foreign soil.
The rebels laid down their arms and peace
was apparently secured. but no sooner had
they done so and returned to their houses
than the fntransigeant religious orders
commenced at once to prosecute them and
trump up imaginary charges to procure
their rearrest. The Spanish government on
it's side, ina gining itself secure. desisted
from carrying out the promised reform.
thinking another trick like that played on
the Cubans after the peace arrangement by
Martinez Campos might succeed. The Phil
ippines however, refused to be made dupes
and have taken up arms again. not alone
in the immediate districts around Manila,
but throughout the archipelago.
General Aguinaldo. accompanied by his
aid-de-camp. Col. Marcelo Fl. Del Pillar. and
Private Secretary ]. Leyba, arrived in
cognito in Singapore from Saigon on the
21st of April, 1898. In Saigon, where Agui-
naldo had remained for one week. he had
interviewed one or two old Philippine
friends now residing there. The special pur-
pose OF Aguinaldos visit to Singapore was
to consult other friends there. particularly
Howard w. Bray. an old and intimate En-
glish friend. for fifteen years resident in
the Philippines. about the affairs of the ISL
ands generally, and particularly as TO the
possibility of war between the United States
and Spain. and whether. in the event of sue
cess. the United States would eventually
recognize the independence of the Philip-
pines. provided he lent his cooperation to
the Americans In the conquest OF the coun-
try. The situation wss this; That the con-
tContanued en- Fifth Pngel