The herald., 1898-11-17
ON BEHALF OF THE FILIPINO
OFFICERS
MERRITT IS LED TO REMARK
That the Natives Are as Unfit as Chill
dren to Make Any Attempt at
Self-Government
Associated Press Special Wire

HUNG NUM-, NOV. lo'-r oiio"i"S 10 W
full text of the document drawn up by the
so-called Philippine junta whose members
claim to represent Aguinaldo, the lnsurgen'
leader, and the government which he claims
to have established.
It is impossible to ascertain how far this
iunta represents Aguinaldo and his followers
and what they call "An appeal to President
Mckinley and the American people, is
more in the nature of an arraignment o.
American officials at Manila, and criticism
from Filipino point of view of their doings
II is needless'to add that many OF the state
ments made are not in accordance with the
facts in the case. The Filipinos write;
eve, the Hong Kong representatives o'
our countrymen, appeal to the great and
good Judgment of the President and the
spirit of fairness and justice of the American
people as always shown in their regard for
the petitions of the weak and oppressed.
'Whie the fate of the islands is still ,n-
decided and we are doing all in our power to
prevent a conflict between the Americans
and Fiipinos-waitng patiently for the con
clusion of the Paris conference-we implore
the intervention of the President, supported
by the will of the people to end this slight
shown our leaders, officials and soldiers by
some of the American military and naval
authorities and soldiers.
eve do not wish Admiral Dewey or Gen
sral f. S. Otis wrong, but we presume that
reports under press censorship will be as
they have been sent broadcast alleging that
all the mistakes are ours and the Americans
are treating us most kindly. But we must
tell the truth, for the best interests of both
parties, depending upon the American
President and people to see that justice is
done to our leaders, Aguinaldo especially.
having full confidence in ultimately receiv-
ing justice from America.
"What have we done that we should ex-
perience unfriendly treatment? Are the
Americans our friends?
"The tension becomes greater daily and
any moment a shot may be fired by an IT.
responsible American or Filipino soldier
And the flame thus started can only be
ouenched with blood dear to us both. We
heseech the American President and people
to help us to control our own people by di-
recting the officials at Manila to temper
their actions with friendship, justice and
fairness.
eve suggest that Admiral Dewey and
General f. S. Otis and General Merritt in
Paris be asked: First-From the com
mencement of hostilities to the present time
have not Agunaldo and the Filipinos under
him acceded to every request of the Amer
lean officials!
sSecond-When Manila was captured, al
though the Filpinos had driven the Span
iards into Manila, completely investing the
citv and occupying some of the roads COM
handing in part the approaches to Manila,
in advance of the Americans. were the fll-
ipinos not entirely ignored and even not
notified of the intention to attack. or OF the
time or part they were expected to play,
even if such was to stand aside!
"Tbird-When the Filipinos, seeing the in
tention to attack went to the assistance OF
the Americans, were they not stopped by
an armed body and faced about. instead OF
being informed by friendly. peaceful request
that they were not wanted? This uneX-
pected action placed the Americans between
two fires, Spanish and Filipinos, if shots had
been exchanged in the excitement of the
moment. Did not then the Filipinos restrain
themselves and obey the Americans, al
though deprived of the fruits of victory and
participation in the final triumph after fight
ing all the way to the very walls and bear
ing the brunt of three months campaign!
"Fourth-After remaining n month on the
outskirts of the city, where we had stopped
quietly as a garrison. we were ordered away.
Did we not cheerfully obey, although hav-
ing no assurance that the Americans would
not give back the Manila posts, vacated to
the Spanish? When located for months still
further out, we were ordered even beyond
the suburbs of the city, where no quarters or
shelter existed for troops and where supplies
were difficult to obtain, did not we obey?
"Fifth-Can the cruel allegations that we
would murder, loot, steal and commit in
cendiarism if given free hand be supported
when we conducted campaign throughout
Luzon, capturing all the important points
outside of Manila and taking and treating
humanely thousand Spanish prisoners
without being guilty of such acts beyond
what accompanies any military campaign as
the work of irresponsible camp followers?
"Sixth-We beg that the American Off
cials be asked also if all the Americans visit
ing the Flipinos headquarters at Malalos,
travelling in the interior. visiting the camps
and lines, or seeking favors of our officials
were not uniformly politely treated?
'In friendly manner we invite the con.
sideration of other points. Groundless and
harmful rumors are being constantly circu-
lated by Spanish sympathizers and malcon-
tents which are often believed without in
vestigation. Our protests are not heard
foolish rumors that we would attack the
Americans. We asked for an explanation
in seeking their recovery, and we have not
even been given an answer.
"Our enemies were delighted, thus en-
couraging further rumors. Should not some
given for suddenly sezng our property in
Manila!
'The Spaniards, the late enemies of the
Americans, are shown every considerations
and the Filipinos, friends and allies, are Of
ten treated as enemies
"Does this satisfy American ideas of jus
tice?
1.-The Filipino people cannot understand
it, though their leaders tell them not to
protest and that all will end well.
1--WE are asked by the Americans to re-
strain our people and avoid any outbreak,
pending the decision of the peace commits.
sion. This we gladly do But we beg that
similar instructions be given to the Amer
leans by the Washington government.