The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-11-15

Hong Kong, November 14.-The Filipino
junta, representatives of Gen. Aguinaldo
and the Philippine government here,
nave drawn up what they designate as
an "Appeal to President Mckinley and
the American people," but what is in
reality rather in the nature of an ar
rangement of American actions in the
Philippines. Mr.. John Barrett former
United States minister to Siam was
asked by the iunta to present the memo
rial to the United States government and
people. Mr.. Barrett replied that, while
he could have no official influence re-
garding the status of the matter, ne was
satisfied that a document which repre-
sented the sentiments of the Filipinos
would receive at the hands of the Aineri-
cans all the considerations 1t merited.
Ihe memorial says:
"We, the Hung Kong representatives
OF our countrymen, appeal to the great
and good Judgment of President McKin-
ley and the spirit and fairness and juas
tice of the American people as it is al.
ways shown in their regard for the pe-
titions of the weak and oppressed.
'sWhile the fate of the islands is stiH
undecided and ws are doing all in our
power to prevent conflict Estween the
Americans and FiHpinos--awaiting pa
tiensly The conclusion of the Paris con-
Ierencs-we implore the intervention OF
tns Presioetnt, supported by the will Of
the people, to end the Sights shown our
leaders, soldiers and people by some OF
the American military and naval officers,
although We do not wish to wrong Ad-
miral Dewey or Gen. Otis. y
The memorial then AYERS that '' False
reports are spread broadcast, alleging
that the Filipinos are responsible for
all the friction and points out that
the tension is greater every day and
any moment snot may be fired BY an
irresponsible American or Filipino Sold
ier leading to great bloodSned,' and be-
seeches the United States 10 help the
juHta to control our own people by di-
recting American officials at manila to
temper their actions with friendship,
justice and fairness.
From the commencement of the hos
tilities,'' continues the memorial, s'the
Filipinos acceded to all the American re-
quests, but after bottling up all the Span
iards in Manila, tho Filipinos were COM
.plete!y ignored when the Americans adj
ivaiiced and thus deprived of the fruits
of victory. Now, after months OF cam
paigning, the Filipino troops have been
ordered beyond the suburbs where they
have no quarters and where supplies are
difficult TO obtain. All our Launches have
been seized because of FOOLISH rumors that
we would attack Americans. and when
we asked explanations we were not even
answered. The Spaniards, of late the
enemies of the Americans, haze been
shown every consideration; while the
Eiiipinos, their friends and allies, are
often treated as enemies
After asserting that tbs Pilipinos uni
formly acted upon the ad vice of the Anne.
ricans and We're informally recognized BY
them until Manila was captured, the
memorial goes on to say:
.she can only attribute this sudden
change co orders from Washington to
American officials at Manila TO avoid
compromising the American government
by recognition of the Filipinos or their
government. The Americans are carry
ing out these instructions literally. losing
sight of athe former friendly intercourse
and assistance and of the assurances the
American officials gave Gen. Aguinaldo.
which he Commanded to his followers.
After emphasizing the junta's "A hso-
lutte confidence In President Mckinley
and the peoplB of the great republic.
stating that ''our protests are not prompt
ed by animosity, but are directed against
conditions existing at Maniln and not
against the American government and
people, acknowledging our gratitude to
American arms for destroying the Span
ish power in the Philippines, and ex-
pressing "a hope that the islands are not
to be returned to Spain," the memorial
concludes thus:
We await the arbitrament OF the peace
commission with even greatsr interest
than the Americans, because 1t concerns
our land, our happiness and our freedom.
In the meantime we shall pray for peace
and perfect understanding with the
Americans.
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