The record-union., 1898-12-20

as to what the Filipino republic is de-
ing with reference to the settlement of
the Philippine question, but the Filipino
newspapers insist that nothing but
absolute independence will be accepted
by the natives
Senor Palermo, President Of the Fill
plno Assembly is said to have cabled
long message TO Madrid a sew days
ago, to the effect that If Spain would
guarantee autonomy and other reform
measures, the whole country would sup
port Spanish rule in preference to any
other form of foreign intervention.
Aguinaldo's official organ, the Re
publica Filipina," announces that its
Paris correspondent, presumably the
same Agoncillo, says that the Philip
pine group has been ceded to the Unit
ed States, which will grant independ-
ence to the Filipinos, after a time,
which is to be fixed by protocol and
which will not be less than six years, if
the Filipinos show that they have
satisfactory faculty Of governing them
selves"
Aguinaldo has seen fit to remove the
embargo upon Americans, and has is
travel through the territory at present
held by the revolutionary Government
to all foreigners, except Spaniards, so
long as they are unarmed. No one,
however, may approach within 200
metres of any forts or intrenchments,
or carry a kodak, under penalty of ar
rest. Any Spanard who sets foot on
Philippine territory, if captured, will
be adjudged by military law.
The present unpleasant weather is
having its effect upon the health Of the
American troops, hundreds Of whom are
suffering from cramps and chills, occa-
stoned by the dampness of their quar-
ters and exposure. 1t has rained al-
most continuously for four days, and
there is every indication of a continu-
ance of wet weather, although the
rainy season is supposed to be over
It was currently reported that at
least 20 per cent. of the American
army of occupation is on the sick list,
which would indicate an epidemic; but
inquiry at the brigade proved this to
be an exaggeration, for the total num-
Der of patients there was 100, of whom
only Is were smallpox and about 2OO
fever patients.
An order has been issued compelling
medical practitioners to report all cases
of smallpox under their notice to the
authorities, in order that they may be
promptly removed to the pesthouse,
owing to the number of deaths which
have occurred in private houses
throughout the city.
What with the uncertainty as to the
future disposition of the islands, and
the state Of affairs existing outside of
the limits of the city Of Manila, which
are the bounds of American jurisdic-
tion business in the Philippines is al
most as bad condition as it was six
months ago. From May 1st until the
surrender Of Manila, on August 18th
last, the only means of communication
between this city and the other ports
in the islands We're entirely cut off,
since all coasting steamers were under
the Spanish flag, and had to lie up dur
ing the blockade.
With the advent of the American
army it was hoped that trade would
be resumed almost Immediately, but in
spite of the fact that arrangements
have been made between the American
and Spanish authorities toward that
island trade which in time of peace
amounted annually to over $500, ,0OO,
Coo. has dwindled down to less than
one-ffth of its normal volume. The
largest import firms have enormous
stocks, but cannot dispose Of them, for
the reason that communication inland