New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-27

AGONCILLO STATES WHY THE PEACE
COMMISSION SHOULD HEAR THEM.

Chicago. sept. Zb.-Malor-,renefdl rraNCs v SfccHc
Of the American army Of invasion Of the Philippines
and senor Felipe Agoncillo vce-President Of Asui-
naldos revolutionary government. arrived In Chi
caeo to-day on the way to Washington. General
Greenes errand is to give the Executive his views
and the views Of his fellow-offcers concerning the
right course for this Government to pursue in re-
gard to the future Of the islands Agoncillo goes
70 appeal 10 the President for representation on
the Paris Peace Commission and for immediate
Independence for his people
During the day Sehor Agoncillo al his own re-
quest was driven to Lincoln Park 10 see the bronze
statue of Abraham Lincoln. who. the Filipino
statesman said. was his ideal American statesman
and citizen. About ten fifteen minutes was
spent the statue. Senior Agoncilo barring his head
be put it.
I'm all my historical studies have paid the most
attention 10 the growth OF the power and influence
of the United States Government said Sehor
Agoneio. Tt is my ideal Of Government, and
It is the pattern which the Philippine people will
follow when they are independent. This is the
land that we have looked UP 70 for many years.
and the one In whose footsteps have tried 70
follow"
Agoncillo discredited the report that France had
promised 10 recognize the Philippine republic and
intimated that his sole hopes Of independence we're
with President Mckinley and the Government Of
the United States.
NJ his report TO President Mckinley but expressed
high opinion Of the Filipinos as men and fight
ers The inhabitants Of the islands he says are
superior in every Way 10 the Cubans or 10 the
North American Indians. and they are freed
from Spanish oppression will have~a magnificent
future before them.
General Greene and senor Agoncio started for
Washington late in the day over the Pennsylvania
Railroad
Ia foII "a To- IA
the American people Of his mission and the
grounds on which he bases his appeal;
II is necessary to grant to the Philippine people
official representation In the course Of the discus
sion Of the Spanish American Commission in Paris.
or that the provisional Government or its official
representative be heard before the Commission
reaches any decision regarding the Philippines.
1T IL Justice that the Philippine people should
not be undefended. for 1t might happen that the
representatives Of Spain would make formidable
charges against the Filipnos and in the lack OF
representation from the Filipinos these charges
might be credited.
INSURGENTS COULD CONTROL
or conditions In the Philippine Islands and the
hopes and wishes Of the Filipinos, this is what
Agoncillo says
II the outcome o, the peace negotiations shall
be tina, this Government receives control Of the
islands. have not the slightest doubt that II left
alone by foreign Powers the islands would be well
governed. When left Hong Kong there were in
assembly 80 representatives. coming from all the
provinces Of Luzon and from several other Islands,
and / expect TO learn upon reaching Washington
that still more have been chosen These repre-
sentatives are the most popular men in their prov
inces, and the people generally nave commence IN
their government
control The Islands and maintain order provided the
There are 1900 armed men In It's army. some or
the arms came from captured Spaniards and some
from foreign countries. am not al liberty 10 say
NO. they did not come from Germany and the
statements that have been made that the Flipinos
are secretly conniving with the Germans are false
and unjust 1t is true that a few days after the
resentatives OF the German Empire made proposals
the insurgents 10 aid them in forming an inde-
pend eS aa % b e ees was sd
agreement entered into between Aguinaldo and Ad-
mral Dewey the insurgents we're in honor bound TO
refuse the offer
OBJECT TO UNITED STATES coLONIZING
Axonclo was asked what would be the attitude
Of the Filipinos and the provisional Government, II
The outcome Of the peace negotiations should be
that the islands should pass into the hands Of the
United States. either for temporary or permanent
control He replied
sis, such disposition Of the islands. | cannot
state The question should go before the Assembly.
t fid be deermined Sv action Of that body The
form OF the provisional Government is thoroughly
people OF the Fippinos with regard 70 the question
would depend largely upon what form OF govern
ment the Americans proposed II it meant simply
control Of the islands by the United States. the
Government ~ this country assuming the RESPONSE
bty OF maintaining good order ana G.
the revenues Of the Islands, l do not think the
feeling against such move would be strong.
though the Filipnos are anxious 10 govern them
selves: but II II should nc planned that the United
States take the Islands for the purpose OF COLOMBIA
ton which might eventually crowd out the native
population in my opinion there would be greater
difHculty IN bringing the people Of the islands {"
submission.
our appeals 10 the United States Is for aid In
securing what most desire and what we believe
20 he FOR he best interests OF the Islands. II
IL not made for the purpose 81 playing into the
hands Of any other nations, and II the Ftpinos
not 70 govern themselves there is no nation
they would he more wshful 70 be governed by than
the United States As 70 the possibility OF main
tanning an orderly and harmonious Government
among the people 81 the Islands II II Is left 10
them. many opposing arguments have heAn ursed
which are in large part groundess