Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-23
TO ASK RECOGNITION
Purpose Of the Mission of Angoncilla,
the Filipino Agent.
PETITION TO ALL FOREIGN POWERS
AguinaIdo's Plea is for Absolute
independence Of Islands.
NO PROTECTORATE WANTED

CHICAGO. September 23.-The Tribune s
special from Manila. August 3d. via San
Francisco, September 81, says:
Aguinaldo and is chiefs have made a
plea to the powers for recognition of bel
ligerency and independence. Angoncilla,
his general, who was passenger on the
steamer China, is on his way to Europe to
submit the question to foreign arbitration.
Before proceeding to Europe Angoncilla
viii stop in Washington and attempt to
impress the administration with his appeal
No mention of the United States any
American force is made in the document
which he carries. The appeal is as fol-
lows:
ITO the Foreign Powers: The revolution
airy government of the Philippines, which
was constituted according to the scheme
explained in the proclamation dated June
%. in which the true causes of the Philip
pine revolution were set forth, has demon
strated that this popular movement is due
to the unanimous desire for just laws by a
people who aspire to progress and perfec-
ton and which can only be obtained by
the one road to liberty.
This revolution actually dominates the
provinces of Cavite, Bantangas, Mndero
Tayabas, Laguna, Morong, Bulacan, Ba-
tam, Pampanga. Nuevacoija, Tarldo, Pan
gGsinina, Union, Infanta y ZambalOs and
ta5 capital city of Manila. In these prov
inccs there reign good order and perfect
tranquility, laws ere administered by au-
thorities who were elected by the people
according to the regulations of organic de-
crees of June IS and %.
Have 5000 Prisoners OF War.
The revolutionists also have some 1890
prisoners of war, and taese are treated
with all the usages and regulations of civ
ilized warfare and humanitarian sentiment
On war footing we have 10000 combat
ants. organized in the form of a regular
army.
In this condition the chiefs of commune
ties in the before mentioned provinces, de-
SirouS of Interpreting the sentiments that
animate those by whom they have been
chosen, having proclaimed the independence
Of the Philippines, have requested the rev.
dictionary government to entreat and pray
of the foreign governments the acknowl-
edgment of the bellgerency and indepen-
dence of the Philippines.
ITO prove the complete security in which
the Fiipinos now live, howe they are both
able and willing to govern themselves, the
accompanying document, signed by the
chiefs, is submitted with appeal. By au-
thority vested in me as president of the
revolutionary government of the Philip
pines, and in the name and the repre-
sentative of these people. l impore the aid
of all the powers of the civilized world and
beg them earnestly to proceed with the
formal recognition of the belligerency of
the Philippines and the independence of the
government
The powers are the means designated by
Providence to maintain the equilibrium be-
tween peoples, supporting the weak and
checking the strong. and thus by this
means there will be realized complete JUS
tice and indefinite progress of humanity
'EMILO AGUINALDO.
"Baccor, August 6, 1898"
Basis of the Appeal.
Aguinaldo's appeal is based on the follow
ing action of the chiefs:
THE undersigned chiefs of the commune
ties which comprise the provinces in which
the revolutionary government is establish
ed, elected as representatives of the people
in the manner prescribed by the DEGREES of
June IS and %, and having been confirmed
by the president and taken the oath of
office, have met in general assembly and
solemnly proclaimed Philippine independ-
ence. With this proclamation they make
the following declaration:
With an inprovised and unprepared
army, the revolutionists have shown great
bravery, giving examples of brilliant featS
of arms and exercised a self-control which
finds no parallel. After practically termi-
mating the war they did not give way to
ehceSSeS or m-treat the enemy. On the
contrary, they conducted themselves as be-
comes a noble and humane people. They
put aside their arms and returned to their
regular occupations. These facts clearly
prove that the Fflipinos were not created
for slavery, but possess a perfect idea of
order and justice. They shun savage life
and love the arm of peace.
Furthermore, surprising as it may seem,
the Fflipinos are giving proof of theil.
ability to make laws in harmony with the
march of time. They know how to respect
and obey the law-an indication that their
national habits are inclined to progress.
They are not ambitious 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 for
tune. This admirable characteristic proves
clearly the necessity of giving them lib
erty and independence. Not only do they