Evening star., 1898-09-19

tional evidence OF our confidence in
the great American republic.
(Sicned) AGCINAIDO.
"a Very Important Document
The Associated Press dispatch conveying
Aguinaldo's message to the American peo-
pie was regarded with much interest at the
White House. The President read the
statement with evident appreciation of its
Importance. but did not volunteer any in
formation as to the attitude of this govern
ment- Officials very near him spoke of the
message as "a very important document"
Aguinaido's Submission.
The officials at the State and War De
partmeuts welcomed the notice sent to :he
American people through the Associated
Press Of the falsity of the stories describ-
ing the friction between the Filip!nos and
the American forces in Luzon. While they
6iG no care to discuss the matter for pub
licaton. 1t was evident that -he main
source Of their satisfaction was the IN
ternal evidence contained in the document
that AguinalGO had protited by the warn
irgs Of the American commanders and had
gracefully receded from the arrogant atti-
tude assumed by him just before Gen.
Merritt left Manila for Paris.
While there is little in the official records
that tends 10 contradict the statement of
the insurEeut chief still il must be re-
called that both Gen. Otis and Admiral
Dewey in cable messages to Washington
pointed out Threatening complications aris-
ing from the attitude of the insurgents, and
their communications can scarcely be re-
garded malici, US Aguinaldo de-
scribes these touching upon the existence
of friction between the Americans and the
Fllipinos.
The latest advices received at the War
from Manila from Gen.
Otis Friday. and while the officer referred
to the agitation exhibited by the insur
gents. he took care TO state that he had
troops enough in his opinion TO meet aLy
en- ergency-
With this statement from the cora.-!snd
ing general on the .cene of activity fIesh in
mind. the War Department explanation
for the Gispatcn of fresh reinfOrcements for
the American army at Manila, namely that
II is but part of movement originally
planned. does not seem TO explain the mat
ter quite clearly.
flushing work on the Battle ships.
The Navy Depar.n ent is rushing prepa-
rations for the sta;. of the big battle ships
oregon and Iowa TO Honolulu, and orders
have been sent TO the New York navy yard
to have the mechanics work overtime on
these ships The purpose is to have them
start on their long voyage by the end Of
the present month. and. according to the
department calculate rs, they should arrive
at their destination by the end Of January.
There i little effort now made to conceal
the fact that the department will have
the ships met at Honolulu 10y dispatch
beat. with orders to turn their prows west
ward 10 Manila.
Battle ships of his character are not
needed to keep ;he Filipino insurgents in
oder, and their assembling at Manila IN
conjunction with the dispatch of heavy re-
enforcement OF troops for the American
land forces cannot but be regarded as sig
nifcaut III well-informed circles here II
is said that the real purpose of the Presi-
dent in making these preparations is TO In
sure the peace commissioners against any
interference in their work of disposing Of
the future of the Philippine Islands accord
ing 10 their best judgment.
Not having disclosed his plans respect
ing the islands outside of LuZon, the seat
of the capital of the group, the President
still reserves for the American peace COM
rnissioners the right to dispose of the re-
nainder Of the Islands they may deem
best. not only for ourselves, but for the
FiLipinos
ro Save the Philippines.
a long line of curious incidents to which
oEe Of the great European powers has been
party has beyond question done much &c
cause feeling Of uneasiness on the part
of the administration as tending to show
a purpose to interfere In our free action
In the Philippines. and this has been only
slightly diminished by apparently frank
disclaimers Of evil purpose, because the
Incidents continue quietly in manner cal
CUlated TO avoid attracting attention. Such
for instance. the gathering of naval YES
ses 10 the south OF the Philippine group
the only explanation of which, coming
from native sources. il is true. but stil
bearing marks of genuineness is a pur
pose OF acquiring either by seizure or 10y
some secret pact with the Spanish govern
ment the important Island of Palawan
This particular island forms one side OF
the gateway through which must pass all
of the extensive commerce that flows be-
tween Australia, Micronesia and southern
Ching. The passage IS narrow and II tbs