The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-09-28
AGUINALDO'S AGENTS.
They Will Probably Be Granted an
Interview by the President.
ATTITUDE OF THE FILIPIN0S


Charge That They Are Scml- -Bnrbar-
Gus, ana EXtols Work of the Congress
Washington, Sept. 2S.-General Fran
els V. Greene, who was made a major
general of volunteers for distinguished
service In the invasion of the Philip
pines, accompanied by his personal
staff and the delegates from the Phil
ippine insurgents, arrived here yester-
day afternoon from Chicago and went
to the Arlington hotel. The two Fill
pinos are Felipe Agonclllo and Jose
Lopez. They are the personal repre-
sentatlves of Aguinaldo, and are on
their way to Paris to secure repre-
sentation on the Spanish American
peace commission, with view to the
recognition of the insurEent govern
ment in the Philippines.
General Greene and staff called at the
adjutant generals office and were es-
corted to the White House by aeneral
Corbin. The Philippines delegates are
desirous OF comforting with the presi-
dent, and the question of their recep-
ton was under consideration at the
state department yesterday afternoon.
There is no doubt that the president
will grant them an audience in their
personal capacity. They will, however,
avoid any action that would lend to
commit this government to the re-
cognition of the insurgent government
pending the conclusion of peace con-
ditions with Spain.
The delegates were the center of
much interest at the hotel. They are
of slight build and short stature, with
swarthy faces and keen black eyes,
showing the characteristics of the
Spanish and the modernized Malay.
The chief delegate, Mr.. Agoncillo,
speaks no English, although he under
stands the language, and his inter-
views are carried on through Mr. Lo-
pei, who has a fairly good command
of English. Mr.. Lopez said that no
Instructions had yet been received from
the Philippines government, but these
were expected very soon as a guide to
the future movements of the delegates
Speaking of the conditions in the
Philippines, Mr.. Lopez said the Phil
ipplne congress was now conducting
the business of that portion of the
country under Philippine rule with
singular ability and success. The
meetings had begun since the departure
of the delegates, yet they were familiar
with the character of those conducting
the congress. They were, he said men
of intelligence and ability, most of
them having received their education
in Europe. Their councils were har-
monious and were conducted with all
the requirements of modern parlia
mentary usage. The presiding officer
Mr.. Lopez said, was that conspicuous
figure in the struggles of the Philip
| pines, Paterno, a man whose ability
had been recognized by Spain by con-
ferring on him an order of knighthood
and the Grand Cross of the Order of
Elizabeth.
Paterno was educated in Europe and
spent 20 years In travel and observation
at the leading capitals. Mr.. Lopez said
that Paterno and many others of like
| education and refinement did away
| with the prevalent idea that the Fill
| ipino congress was a crude and SEMI
| barbarous gathering of natives. He
says the country at large is enjoying
a most peaceful and prosperous period,
| now that Spanish rule is at an end,
and native officials are directing the
| local affairs. These officials, he de-
clares,, are showing much aptitude for
municipal government, and they also
| have the advantage of holding the con-
| fidence of the people.
When Mr.. Lopez was asked as to the
reports that the Filipinos were solicit
ing help from European governments
he declared that such reports were ut
| terly unfounded and unjust. They were
acting in the most perfect good faith
with the American authorities. AS an
| evidence of this he cited that fact that
the German consular office on the ISL
and had requested a conference with
Aguinaldo, but that leader had refused
to grant the conference.
Mr.. Lopez also characterized as un-
warranted the stories that Germany
| was secretly equipping the Philippine
| insurgents in order to bring about in
| ternationl dissensions and embarrass
American control.