Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-10-18

- - Il "A z - lNSO PftEO HUNS
AGAINST SPAIN = BUT THE PEG
PIE ARE NOT HOSTILE TO THE
NATIVE PRIESTS-RETICENT ON
THE POINT WHETHER THE CON
troll OF THE UNITED STATES
WOULD BE OPPOSED
Paris, October 7.-Phillippo Agoncil-
10, the representative of Aguinaldo, the
lnsurgent leader if the Philippine ISL
ands, was interviewed by the CORE
spondent of the Associated Press
Agoncillo's apartments at the Hotel
Continental are on the same floor as the
| rooms occupied by the United States
peace commissioners. He is desirious
OF seeing the commissioners and piac-
Ing AgulnaldOs view OF the future of
the Philippines before our commission
ers.
Would the FilipinOs accept anneXa-
ton or a protectorate OF the United
Staten AgOncillO VIZ. asked. He an
SWered:
We want independence, but the Fill
lplnos have recognized government
OF which Aguinaldo IS president, and it
will determine our attitude toward a
prOtectorate or annexation"
Should the United States take all or
part OF the Philippines would F'ilipinos
lsSIt the United States as they have
fought Spain?"
Il cannot answer without possible
error; but l think it would be most
unwise for the United States to divide
the Philippine islands. They should
take all or none"
eff the United States gives up the
Philippine islands will the Filipinos
continue to fight the Spanish?"
Il think so.''
"Is it true the Filipinos do not object
to the continuance of the native
priests?"
yes"
"And what of the orders, religious
would the Filipinos accept any peace
with the United States and Spain which
did not provide for the expulsion Of
the orders?'
THE presence and acts of the orders
were the chief determining cause of the
Instruction It would be impossible
for the Filipinos to become rconciled
with Spain. We have vainly and re-
peatedly sought the right of citizenship,
employing all legal means, and have
risen in insurrection twelve times in
a century to secure them, and we are
now enjoying them. Peace is only pos
sible under any government by the
abolishmet of the orders which, as l
have said. were the chief determining
cause of the abuses and oppression,
and hence. the rebellions-"
Agoncillo, contrary to the generally
accepted version of his visit IN the
United States and elsewhere, says he
has not come here to seek hearing
before the commission. but to learn
the determination of the commission
ers regarding the Philippine Islands
and to communicate 1t to Agulnaldo.
Agoncillo, thus far, has not communl-
Gated with our commission, and the
Spanish commission, while unwilling,
naturally to summon Agoncillo, is eX-
ceedinglv anxious to know what repre-
sensations, if any, he will make TO the
Americans.
The American commissioners held
their usual morning session to-day ana
entered upon the sixth joint session at
2 o'clock this afternoon.
The commissions will meet again on
Wednesday next.
During to-day's session the com
missioners were occupied with the con-
sideration of the Spanish presentation
of Tuesday last and the American an
swer. submitted on Friday, relating to
Cuba and the debt of the island. The
examination of the American written
| canvass on the subject was not con-
cluded to-day and will be continued at
the next joint meeting, following
which the Spaniards will doubtless re-
ply in writing, the conclusion OF the
subject soon following.
The interchanges regarding Cuba are
now so advanced that the Spaniards
will not fail to understand the united
States determination, disclosed IN the
dispatches on Saturday, not to assume
mart or the whole Of the so-called Gu
han debt of $500, 100000 1t should not,
however, be understood that the
Americans, during the course OF the
controversy, have been unmindful OF
certain local burdens, like the munich
nal obligation of the Cuban cities, rail-
roads and kindred properties, local and
permanent. 1t should not be forgot
ten. however, that the American atti-
tude in Cuba is held not to be that of
an acquiring power, either of terri
tory or of its real constructive obliga-
tions. The opposing Spaniards keenly
contend that sovereignty involves bur
dens as we'll as blessings and that both
should pass together from Spain.
Close following this contention, the
Spaniards are pressing for a construc-
ton of the word "relinquish" in the
Cuban article of the protocol.
1--WE must" they urge, "relinquish
sovereignty over Cuba, but to whom
We have not agreed to relinquish it to
the Cubans-we relinquish it to the
United States"
Thus crystallizing their reasoning and
insistence. the Spaniards bond debt and
sovereignty together and urge that the
REIMBURSEMENT must be to the United
States.
While this contention is keenly and
vigorously supported, it has not shaken
the position of the Americans, who cut
the thread of Spanish diplomacy in
the middle of the word "relinquish" by
practically assuring the Spaniards that
| they need not cherish anxiety as to
whom to relinquish, but to conform to
the fourth article of the protocol which
pledges Spain that Cuba. Porto Rico
and the other Spanish islands of the
| West Indies shall be Immediately evac-