The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-25
THE F|LP|N's PROTEST.
TEXT or AGUIyALDO'S DOCUMENT
LODGED WITH COMMISSION.
He Issfsts That Spain HaA We Sew
erefxnty Over the IslaAas, Hav-
Ing Been Defeated ~ the Iasur-
geats, Long Before the Peace.

Correspondence OF the Associated Press.
PARIS. Dec. G.-The text Of the protest
lodged with the American and Spanish
peace commissioners by AgonciaIo, agent
Of AgutnalSo, the insurgent leader In the
Philippines. an outline OF which was cabied
10 the Associated Press under this date,
reads as follows:
Paris. Dec. -
Their Excelieneses, the President and
Delegates Of the Standardization
Peace Commission. Paris:
Your Excelaegstes: The very noble ana
gallant generals. AguiIaldo. president OF
;ssa Philippine republic, has honoTed
NE 20 tbs post OF representative 10
rent OF the United States OF America. de-
sotyEsg on me at The same time the duty
of protesting against any resolution coz
tFary 10 the Independence OF the country
which might be PASSED BY the peace COM
Nilsson In Paris.
This has already terminated its sessions
and the revolutions passed cannot be 2c-
cepted as obligatory by my government.
nor Ia alywsse admitted 20 its deiibera-
items the Philippine nation, who had an
laquexiaonaSae right 10 Intervene in them
10 relation 20 what might affect their fu-
sare.
II faiall therefore, my duty when pro-
test, as l do tn the most solemn manner,
In the name OF the president and the ma
tioGlai government OF the Philippines.
against any resolution agreed upon at this
peace conference in Paris. as long as the
judicial. political Independence and person
atty Of the Philippine people IL entirely ur-
recognized and attempts ara made in any
form TO impose on these u haoiiants reso-
buttons which have not been sanctioned by
their punii,. powers. the only ores WHO can
legally decide as TO their future In his
tory.
spain Is absolutely devoid OF a status
ard power to decide in any shape or form
the aforementioned matter.
ba ion tf ia
was founded so.eIy on two historical facts.
in which the exclusive right of the Fiipi-
nos to decide their own destiny was implic-
lily recognized
First, the blood treaty (pac.o de san
grel OF the 18th Of March. LG0. entered into
between the Gen. Don Miguel Lopez de 10
Gazpi and the Filipino sovereign S!kaiuma.
a compact which was confirmed on tho one
side by the king OF Spain, Philip IL, and Oh
the other side by the monarchs OF Min
danao. V3sayas and Luxon. and by the SUI
preme chief OF that confederation. the ST.
tan Lacandola. prcclaiming, as conse-
uuence the autonomous nationality or the
Kingdom OF New CASTLE formed BY fhe
Philippine islands under the scepter OF the
king OF Spain.
Second. the so called constitution Of Ca
dir IN tina discussion, vote. prcmuigation
and legislation OF which the deputies and
Filipino people took an active part. and by
which constitution the nationality or Inc
Spanish would be made effective.
But from the very first moment wnen
the peniusuiar public powers attempted 10
impose their absolute sovereignty on the
islands, the FTipinos protested energetic
ally by force OF arms. and from the nret
attempt in 1st&. the struggle IN defense OF
the polltica. personality was implanted.
When in 1897 the derivation OF their
rights was contaminated. the Fillpnos
against protested Spain sustaining against
them fratr.cidal and innuEnan struggle.
which has lasted from that time onward up
to the present day. Falsehood. which al
ways characterized tire actions or the
peninsular authorities. constantly MD from
the world the fact OF the real situation
Of force. which lasted almost century.
''At length. AZ the end Of the present CEN
fury. the Spanish forces have been COM
pieteiy routed by those OF the natives. and
Spain cannot now even aliege the posses
sion by her of the islands. because the
permanency of q handful of oeninsular
soldiers approximately sal who are exist
ing. eexiegad in one or two fortresses in
the south Of the archipelago, cannot con-
siitUte such a right
THE Spanish government has ceased 70
hold any dominion by deed and by right.
and the only authority which exists there
and preserved order is that constituted by
the Fflsp.nos with the solemn sanction or
their votes. the only legal fount of positive
modern power.
Under such conditions the Spanish COM
In!ssIoners in Paris have not been able,
within the principles OF the law of ma
tons 10 give up or 10 transfer what. Z
they ever had. they have totally lost be-
fore the signing Of the protocol OF Wash
the peace treaty of Paris
Agonciilo then goes on TO argue that In
accepting the aid of the Fihpinos In the
war with Spain, the United States ac-
knowledged them as an independent nation,
He says that without that aid the speedy
subingation OF the islands would have been
Impossible.
In closing hts letter. he says:
Now. Il the Spanar3s nave 7os been abe
TO transfer To the Americans the rights
which they did not possess: II the former
h
pines: II the International officials and res
rsssentatises or the republic Of the United
States Of AmeTiea Offered Ia recognize .he
Independence ana sovereignty OF the Phil
:ppineE. solicited and accepted their aii-
ance. how can they row constitute them
selves the sole disposers Of the control.
administration and future government OF
The Philippine ISLANDS,
III IN the treaty OF Paris there had sim
Ply been declared the withdrawal and ahaa-
4onmeat by the Spanlartss OF their dornin-
Fino territory. II America. GA accepting
peace. rad signed that trsaiy without pre-
1ls3lee 10 the rights Of the F1lipinos and
gilh The vtcw Of Coming % subsequent
Hett4elue ~ with the existing FErlUo gov
ernsucUs, tt1as recognizing TIE sovereignty
% the latter, their alliance and the carry
Ing out Of their prom SITS o. homer 10 the
said f4dpsnos i is very egsGeas that no
protest against Their action wou.d have
aeen made. Bus in view Of tba terms os
the third article of the protocol. lse pro-
rers2tugs OF she American commissioners
and ina Imperative necessity O. safeguard
.1E fh@ national rights NJ my country |
make tAls protest. wn1c3g / have made =
extensive one, for the aforesaid reasons
a8a With me corrs spending legal rsssrsc-
ssoas against ;ae actions taken ana lac
resolutions paSssc by the peace commits
a39s4ers az Paris ai93 la he treaty signed tfy
taafi.
Ard on making this protest I claim
IT. the r&GGte ~ The Filipino pats0n IN
shat az their president and government
th0 fuxAilmeaf 81 the solemn declaration
rvsa4tt hS the u sist rsaytS William Mex grley
president * sae sor2hie II she United
States 81 America. taat on going 10 war
IA was aof guided by aag intention Of AK
~ assa.s Ee;rsnt and extension 81 national
territory. ASst DEly In respect 10 the ggin-
c4pieS az humanity. tie dGty az aa@TatanE
tyTaun5xss3 psop5e and tae desire 10 pro-
e1asfa the !u&.ion aha T.x1ats With ,hsir
sovereignty ~ tsst counties releasei from
;gae ycks ~ Snata,
s1sosi keSg yo4sr excHslencse< IEany years.
FELIPE Atst1%t4LI&1''
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