Evening star., 1898-11-22
WEALTHY FILIPINOS COMING
They Have a Double Interest in Seeing
the President.
Favor Annexation and Have q Big
Claim Against the Spanish
Government.

SAN FRANCISCO, November 22-Don
Maxine COrteZ and his brother Don Angel
Cortez, representing one of the most
wealthy and distinguished families of Ma
Mia, have arrived here. They are on their
way to Washington to see President Nc
kinley for two purposes, one in the interest
of annexation and another 10 recover, if
possible. through the kindly offices of the
United States large amount of property
seized some months ago by the Spanish.
Others in the party are Claudio Reina
Pedro Yruengo, Juana Mantella, Estopha-
ME Yruengo and Amalia Mellisoo Don
Maxine is the bearer of the following in
teresting and important letter, which,
though addressed to whom it may con-
cern,'' seems to have been intended in a
large degree for the Washington authori-
ties basis for the consideration of his
claims:
'Offce Of United States Consulate,
HONG KONG, October y, 1895
ITO whom ii may concern:
This is to certify that the bearer is Don
Maxine Cortez, who it at present the head
of the wealthy and distinguished Cortes
family in the Philippine Islands. He is also
the representative of the wealthy and edu-
Gated citizens of Manila, and from the COM
mencement of the late war has advocated
the annexation Of the islands to the United
States.
ON May &c, 1893. Don Maximo, on be-
half of his family, sent a cablegram
through this consulate to President McKin-
ley submitting his allegiance and praying
for citizenship.
With the occupation of Manila by Ad-
miral Dewey and General Merritt he placed
all his palaces and houses at the disposal
of our forces and they are now being oc-
cupied, rent free, by our forces. General
Merritt acknowledged great service rem
dered to our forces both in my presence and
t0 his successor, General Otis.
I'm many other ways, such as giving in
formation, the CorteZ family has rendered
invaluable aid to our people. l bespeak for
Don Maxine and Don Angel Cortez the
kindly courteses of all Americans, and any
attention shown them by my friends will
be considered a personal obligation.
"(Signed) ROUNSEVILLE WILDMAN,
Consul General"
Il was so much Interested in annexation
that l readily paid Agdinado money"
said Don Maximo. II may say to you now
however, that neither l nor the leading
people in the Philippines think much of
Aguinaldo In the course he has recently
been taking, nor do we of Agoncilio his
representative who passed through here on
his way to Washington some time ago. We
do not want Independence but annexation.
1t is for this, as the representative of the
wealthy and educated classes, that / am
going to see President Mckinley. The real
sentiment Is in favor of annexation. Only
few political insurgents are at present
talking OF independence.
Some time ago the wealthy people sent
a representative to Consul General Wild
man, asking him to come to Manila and
use his influence with Aguinaldo. Mr.. Wild
man could not see his way to do this, and
Agunaldo said If he was not interested
sufficiently to see him he was not going to
commit himself.
"As for the property loss of my family,
it amounts to about 81 O0O,O 900. The estate
is worth about s2,0OO,000. The palaces and
houses that are unoccuped by the Amer
lean troops are renting for some 5000
month, and United States Consul Williams
of Manila is collecting the rents"