New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-13
THE COMPACT BROKEN BY SPAIN.


The rebels laid down their arms. and peace was
opnoren,lv secured but no sooner had they done so
and returned to their homes than the !ntransigeant
religious orders began again TO prosecute 'hei, anu
TO trump up imaginary charges &c procure their re-
arrest The Spanish Government, on us siue' I'M
eginng itself secure, des!sted from carrying out
thc promised r,.orms. thinking another trick Ike
that played on the Cubans after the peace OK Fan
ION arranged by Martinez CGmpos. might succeed.
The pcople OF the Philippines. however, refused 70
be made dupcs. and have taken up arms again
not alonc In the Immediate districts around Iahia'
but throughout tho archipelago.
General Aguinado. accompanied by his aide-de-
cnmp Colonel Marcelo II. del Pillar. and private
secretary J. Leyba arrived incognto In Singapore
from Saigon on April q. 1905 In Saigon. where
Agninnldo had remained for week. no had In
terviewcd one or two old Philippine friends now
residing There. Tho special purpose OF Aguihaluo
Wait TO Singapore consult other friehas
there particularly Howard w. Bray. an old ana
intimate English friend for fifteen years resident IN
tho Phiippines abou. the affairs OF the ISLANDS
generally particularly az 10 the possibility OF "ar
between the United States and Spain, and whether
in case OF SUCCESS the United States would event
uay recognize the independence OF the fhiiipp'hes'
prov,oed ne lent his cooperation 10 the Americans
in the conqucs, Of the country. The situation was
this. That tho conditions OF the honorable peace
concluded on December II, 1897, between Agulnaino'
on behalf OF the Philippine rebels. ana to'erhof-
0eneral Primo de Rivera. behal: OF Spain, had
no, been carried out. although their immaculate
execution had been vouched for In the agreement
These reforms would have provided protection to
,ha neop,e against the organized oppression ana
rapacity OF religious fratern!ties. and would nave
secured Improved civil and criminal procedure IN
the courts and would have insured In many ways
improvcmcnt in the fiscal condition OF the people
The reputation by the Spanish Government OF
these conditions made by Rivera 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 that Aguinado again sought counsel OF
friends In Saigon and Singapore with view OF the
Immediate resumption OF hostiittes In the Phiiip-
pines
Meanwhile Mr.. Bray introduced to Spencer
Pratt Consul General OF the United States who
was anxious In view OF contingencies, TO learn as
much rs possible about the real condition OF the
PHILIPPINES Il was few days after this that
Auginaldo arrived at Singapore. where he at once
met his friends. including Bray.
CONFERENCES WITH PRATT AND DEWEY.
Affairs were now becoming warlike. Bray.
after n conversation with Pratt. arranged FOR an
interview between him and Agu!naldo. There were
present General Emilio Agunaldo Fami f.
Spencer Pratt Consul-Cieneral or the United States
OF America Howard ". Bray. J. I-eyba Aguinaldos
private secretary: Colonel ". II. del Pillar, and
Mariselno Santos.
In the conference at which Bray acted az inter-
sul-General Pratt incidents and objects OF the
cent rebellion. and described the present disturbed
state OF the country. Agunaldo then proceeded TO
explain the nature OF the cooperation he could give.
In which he In case OF the American forces from
the squadron landing and taking possession OF
Manila would guarantee TO maintain order and
discipline among the native troops and inhabitants
In the same humane way In which he had hitherto
conducted the war and prevent them from COM
hitting ou,rages on deienceess Spaniards beyond
such as were inevitable in fair and honorable
warfare He further declared his ability 10
establish proper and responsible government
on liberal principles and would be willing 10
accept the same for the country
the United States intended giving Cuba The
Consul General OF the United States. concidng
with the general Views expressed In the discus
sion. placed himself at In telegraphic COM
munication with Admiral Dewey ut Hong Kong.
between whom and Pratt n frequent interchange OF
dispatches consequently took place.
As result, another private Interview
ranged at the American Consular residence between
Agunaldo. Pratt Bray and Leyba AS a sequel Of
this Interview and In response the urgent request
OF Admiral Dewey. Aguinado left Singapore for
Hong Kong and thence vent to Manila. The
influence Of this incident the future OF the Philip
character.
AGUINALDOS POLICY.
General Aguinaldos policy embraces the indie
pendence OF the Philippines, whose internal affairs
would be controlled under European and American
advisers. American protection would be desirable
temporarily. on the same lines that which might
Ls..t,