Evening star., 1898-07-15
Aguinaldo's Agent in London Speaks
for the Insurgents.
PLEDGED TO THEIR LIBERAFORS
They VIII Be Faithful and Follow
the United States Advice.
AGREEMENT WITH DEWEY


Correspondent nee Of the Associated Press.
| LONDON. July SIS. c. valdes is in Lon
| Don as the nominated representative of the
| insurgents under Aguinaldo. Senior Valdes
| is a ''Tagalo," or native of the Philippines,
| direct descendants of the Japanese who
| were the traders in the islands when the
| Spaniards first made their appearance CEN
| turiss ago. Valdes was born in Batangas
and was educated in Hong Kong, Chicago
| and London. To a representative OF the
Associated Press Senior VaIdes said:
| There is sea of blood between the
| Sraniards and the Filippinos, who have re-
| ceived nothing from the Spaniards but out
| rage, injustice and prejudice. The oppor-
| tunity OF the Filippinos has come. We will
| be faithful to the Americans, and will fcl-
| low their advice. We have an agreement
| with the Amerioans-with Admiral Dewey
| as follows:
| Il. The independence of the Philippines
| shall be proclaimed.
20 republic shall be established, with
a government designated by Gen. Aguinaldo
| and approved by Admiral Dewey or Gen.
| Merritt, as the case may be.
| 3. The government will recognize the
| temporary Intervention OF the American
and European commissioners designated
| for the present by Admiral Dewey.
| The Conditions.
"a The American protactorate shall be
| recognized on the same conditions as ar
| ranged for Cuba.
| SO. Philippine ports shall be opened free
| for the commerce of the world.
| &c Precautionary measures shall be
| adopted against Chinese immigration, so as
| to regulate the competition with the work
| of the natives.
! ~ The corrupt judicial system at present
| existing shall be reformed intrusting at the
| he a6 ninjS c g.
| tfce to competent European legal officials.
| "S. The complete liberty of association
| and of the press shall be declared.
| 20. There shall be a general religious tol-
Grafton. but measures Shall be adopted for
| the abolition and expulsion of the religious
| communities, who with iron hand have
! hitherto demoralized the actual civil ad-
| ministration.
| 10. Measures conducive to the working
| development and prospects of the natural
| resources Of the country shall be adopted.
| II. The development of the public
| wealth shall be facilitated, together with
| the opening of roads and railways.
| IL Inc existing obstacles to the forming
| Of commercial enterprises and investment
| OF foreign capitalism be suppressed.
| ID The new government will keep pub
| lie order and will be obliged to prevent
| every act of reprisal against the Spanards
| II The Spanish official element shall
be removed to some other safe and healthy
| island until opportunity is presented for
| them to return to Spain
| Effect In the Far East
| This OF course. applies practically to
| all the islands. By the proclamation of
the Philippine republic, under this agree
| ment the balance of Influence. in the far
| east is not disturbed and the interests of
| all the civilized world will be respected
| and protected.
1T is perhaps difficult for you to under
| stand how deeply we feel over the wrongs
OF our race, because the S;5 ~.
islands have never fully known the hor-
| rible tale of butchery and oppression we
have suffered for years. Even at the
spanish court we could not get a hearing
Father Camara, bishop of Salamanea-an
August1nian friar from the Philippine or
der-and Father Cardona, bishop of Sion
both of whom exercise supreme influence
In the existing Spanish court, are resolute-
ly opposed to any reform in the Philip
pines. which would diminish the power of
| the friars. When General Polavieja re-
turned from the Philippines, after butcher
ing hundreds of innocent people, he was
received at the palace with special honors
although the premier disavowed such
tactless reception. Then the appointment
| of a new bishop of Visayas, from the Ma
| nila orders, was forced upon Sagasta and
MOret. To excuse such faux pas they
said: The appointment of church dgni-
taries belongs to women and robed per-
sCns.'
Cheated by Spaniards.
opportunity Of cheating u.s. General Wey-
| ler. when he was captain general, ordered
the town of Calamba to be destroyed and
burned simply to please the Dominican
friars, who were anxious to show their
power General Blanco, though himself a
Free Mason threw 1900 Philippine Free
MasonS into Jail. General Polavieja shot
hundreds of the richest he could find and
granted to subordinate European officers in
the provinces power to shoot down natives
whom they might suspect of being disloy.al
He could not win over Aguinaldo. After
putting a price on his head he invited
| Aguinaldo to make terms of peace. Agui-
naldo replied that he was ready to open
negotiations, but declined to go to the
| Spanish camp because he remembered the
treachery of the Spaniards when they shot
| DR.. Rizal, Louis Parang and Eduardo Cam
| erino after offering and granting them par
| don and free pass. After failing to lure
Aguinaldo Primo de Rivera asked for
| peace. Aguinaldo and the legislative as
sembly of the insurgents consented and a
treaty was signed in which the following
reforms were agreed to:
Il. Expulsion, or at least the disbanding
of the religious orders.
'2. Representation of the Philippines in
the cortes
"3. Application of a veritable system of
| justice the same for the native as the Span
| lard; unity of laws between Spain and the
| Philippines; participation Of the natives in
| the civil administration in its Offices
clergy and readjustment Of taxes in favor
| of the natives.
"5. Proclamation of the individual rights
of the native, liberty Of association and of
| the press.
Treated With Treachery.
THE insurgents only consented in this
| treaty to an armistice1to give time for the
reforms to be granted and they surrender
ed their arms, ammunition and forts on
condition they shohld sfeceive 5000 600.
Now, how were we treated? AS soon as
| the principal leaders reached Hong Kong
Primo de Rivera imprisoned and shot the
remaining leaders,, who, with his consent.
| had remained in Manila. denied he had
| ever promised any reforms. refused the
amnesty and refused to pay the balance of
the money, 500, 900. sI
More recently itin the Madrid senate
Rivera insisted he had not promised any
| reforms, but Senor Moret said the reforms
were going to be'fgranted when the time
came. 1 wrote toe Senior Sagasta, to the
presidents of the chamber and senate to