The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-11

- Shuihii a. Lowry Aulie tHat officer was
nito in Singapore from Saigon on April
p, 1898. In Saigon. where Aguinaldo
mad remained for one week. he had in
tefviewed one or two old Philippine
friends now residing there.
The special purpose of Aguinaldo's
visit to Singapore was to consult with
other friends there, particularly How
ard n. Bray, an old and intimate En-
glish friend, for fifteen years resident
In the Philippines, about the affairs of
the islands generally, particularly as
to the possibilities of war between the
United States and Spain, and whether
In the event OF SUCCESS the United
States would eventually recognize the
independence of the Philippines, pro-
siding he lent his cooperation to the
Americans In the conquest Of the
country.
The situation was this: The condi-
tions of the honorable peace concluded
on December IA, 1897, between Agul-
naldo, on behalf of the Philippine reb-
els, and Governor General August had
not been carried out, although their
immediate execution had been vouched
for in the agreement. These reforms
would have provided protection to the
people against organized expressions
and rapacity, religious fraternities and
nri, al
procedure in courts and have made, in
many ways, an improvement in finan-
cial conditions of the people. The re-
pudiation by the Spanish government
of those conditions made by Reveira
left the rebel leaders, who had for the
most part gone to Hong Kong, free to
act And 1t was in pursuance of that
freedom OF action that Agulnaldo again
sought counsel of friends in Singapore
with a view to the immediate resump
ton of hostilities in lie Philippines.
Affairs were now becoming more war
like. Bray, after a conversation with
United States Consul Pratt. eventually
arranger for an interview between that
gentleman and Aguinaldo. There were
present General Emilio Aguinaldo y
Femi, Consul E. Spencer Pratt, How
ard w. Bray. Aguinaido's private sec
rotary, j. Leiba; Colonel N. II. Del
Hitar and Mariselno Santos.
During the conference, at which Bray
acted as interpreter, Aguinaldo ex-
planned to the American consul general
the objects of the late rebellion and
described the present disturbed state OF
the country.
he nature of the cooperation he could
merican forces from the squadron land
uld guarantee to maintain orde: and dis
abitants in the same humane way in
nd prevent them from committing out
he inevitable in fair and honorable war
.ablish proper and responsible govern
pt the same terms as the United States
ates, coinciding with the general views
lmself at once in telegrapbic communica-
:, between whom he and Bray had fire.
III, aHUlHtT pllNdtO iHtSihiSN was
ween Aguinaldo, Bray. Howard, Pratt
W. and in response to the urgent request
pore for Hong Kong and thence went 10
n the future OF the Philippines may prove
acter.
the independence of the Philippines,
lied under European and American ad-
:ilable, temporarily, on the same lines
after in Cuba. The ports of the Phil p
orld, safeguards being enacted against
ompete with the industrious population
etc reform of the present corrupt ju-
cd European law officers. The entire
cd as we'll as of thought ana public
Gus federation and steps would be taken
ious fraternitics who have welded such
IL administration. Provisions would be
al resources and wealth OF the country
4 all hindrances to enterprise and the
cials would be removed to place OF
heir return to Spain. The preservation OF
u OF reprisals against the spansefas
he government iii the new state of things.