The herald., 1898-09-20
NOTE FROM AGUlNALDO
DENIES REPORTS OF STRAINED
RELATIONS
WAR OFFICIALS PLEASED
Hut Filipino Friendliness Will Cause
No Delay in the Dispatch
of Warships
Press Special Wire.

can Government and people that the many
rumors circulated regarding the strained
relations between the Filipinos and AM
erican forces are base, malicious sianders
of the enemy of both parties are without
anv truth and are circulated for the pur-
pose of prejudcng the appeal of the
Filipinos for their release from the op-
preston and cruelty of Spain.
The relations of our people and yours
have been and will continue to be of the
most friendly nature and we have with
drawn our forces from the suburbs OF
Manila as ali additional evidence Of our
confidence In the great American repub-
lie. (Signed) AGU1NALDO,
Officials Pleased
WASHINGTON. Sept. 19.-The officials
at the State and War Departments wei
comeG the announcement to the American
people through the Associated Press OF the
falsty of the stories describing the fr4c-
ton between the Filipinos and the Amer
lean forces in Luzon. While the officials do
not care to discuss the matter for publ!ca-
ton, it was evident that the main source
of their satisfaction was the internal evil
dence contained in the document that Asui-
naldo had profited by the warnings from
the American commanders and had grace
fully receded from the arrogant attitude
assumed by him just before General
Merritt left Manila for Paris.
While there is little IN the official records
that tends to contradict what the insurgent
chief says, still it must be recalled that both
General Merritt and Admiral Dewey in
cable messages to Washington, have point
ed out threatening complications arising
from the attitude Of the insurgents. The
latest advices received at the War Depart
ment from Manila came from General Otis
Friday last and while the officer referred
to the agitation exhibited by the insurgents.
he took care to state that he had troops
enough in his opinion 20 meet any emer.
gency.
Significant Movements
With this statement from the command
Ing general on the scene of activity fresh
in mind, the War Departments explanation
Of the order for fresh reinforcements for
the army in Manila, namely that it is but
q part of movement originally planned,
appeared to warrant a further inquiry
The Navy Department is rushing prepara-
tlons for the start of the big battleships
Oregon and Iowa to Honolulu, and orders
have been sent to the New York Navy Yard
10 nave the IleCLdLiCS NOih ONcl liiie vi
these ships. The purpose Isl to have them
etart on their long voyage by the end of this
month, and according to department cal
culations they should arrive at their desti-
nation by the end of January. There is lii
tie effort made now to conceal the fact that
the department will have the ships met al
Honolulu by dispatch boat with orders to
turn their prows westward to Manila.
&c. /, T. -,I,,, 49, aa5
ed to keep the Filipino insurgents in order
and their assembling a Manila in conjunc-
ton with the dispatch of heavy reinforce
ments of troops for the American land
forces cannot but be regarded as significant;
In we'll informed circles here it is said that
the real purpose of the President in making
these preparations is to insure the peace
commissioners against interference in their
work of disposing of the future Of the Phil
ippines according TO their best judgment.
Not having disclosed his plans respecting
the islands outside of Luzon. the seat of
the capital of the group, the President still
reserves for the American peace commits
sioners the right to dispose of the remain
der of The Islands as they may deem best.
Curious Incidents
A long line of curious incidents, to which
one of the great European powers has been
party, has beyond question done much to
cause feeling of uneasiness on the part
OF the administration as tending 10 show
q purpose to interfere in our free action in
the Philippines, and this has been only
slightly diminished by apparantly frank
disclaimers Of an Interior purpose. because
the incidents continue quietly and in a man
ner calculated to avoid attracting atten-
ton. Such, for instance, is the gathering
Of naval vessels to the south of the Phil
ippine group, the only explanation of which,
coming from native sources. it is true, but
still bearing marks Of genuineness, is pur-
pose of acquiring either by seizure or by
some secret pact with the Spanish govern
men; the important island of Palawan. This
particular island forms one side of the gate
way through which must pass all of the
extensive commerce that floats between
Australia. Micronesia and Southern China.
The passage is narrow and if the islands
of the Philippine group are to be retained
outside of Luzon, this island of Palawan
must be kept, forming one side Of the gate
way. 1t is gathered that 1t is The purpose
of the President, therefore to prevent the
alienation by Spain Of any of the Philip
pine group. and that these preparations
naval as well as military, are bu. steps
toward the executior>of his purpose With
the addition to his fleet of two battles hips
Admiral Dewey will have force only sec
ond to that of Great Britain in Eastern
waters. while on shore General Otis will
have more numerous army than any
European power save Russia
German Schemes
NEW YORK. Sept. IA special to tie
Herald from Washington says:
As an indication that Germany has been
schemlng to share in the disposition of the
Philippines, the authorities have learned
that, acting under instructions from Ber-
lin, the German commander-in-chief Of
the Asiatic station has made an exhaus-
tive inves tigatiOn of the coal deposits of
the island.
He was assisted by n German engineer
who had been temporarily assigned to his
squadron for the special purpose of locat-
Ing coal The engineer conducted a thor
ough investigation and his report, which
has been submitted to the Berlin govern
ment through Vice-Admiral Won Deidrlch.
shows that the best Ignite deposits are To-
Gated on the Island Of Cebu one of the Wis.,
cayas group.
This information has been received bv
one of the representatives in Germany and
has been considered of sufficient impor,
ance to be presented to the peace commits