The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-12

case the Americans should leave the
Philippines their own position would
not be made worse everything would be
lovely, but they refuse to consider the
impossibility Of the Americans giving
such assurance while they are uego-
tiating with Spain
The Filipinos practically demand
recognition of their belligerency as a
condition precedent to their withdrawal
from the city, and ignore the impossf-
bility of the Americans granting such
a demand.
A Filipino councillor who is close to
AguinaIdo says the insurgents will in
sist upon receiving an assurance of
recognition, even at the cost of con-
f1ict with the Americans. The useless
ness of such a course being explained
to him. he replied: We can only die"
Aguinaldo himself said to the writer
yesterday: When the rebellion start
ed independence was the sole idea of the
F'ilipinos. Since the Americans have
been forced to interfere the Filipinos
hope to gain some reward from the
Americans for their work and sacrifice
of blood, life and treasure. They live
for recognition of their liberty
This is the first public admission
from AguinaldO that the Filipinos would
be satisfied with anything less than alb
solute independence.
AguinaIdo transferred his headquart-
ers yesterday to AIalalos, thirty miles
north of Manila 1t was a good STRAIT
egical move. MalalOs is difficult to at
reach there.
A gentleman connected with an expe-
dition under instructions to study the
situation and conditions here and re-
port concerning the advisability of the
Americans retaining the islands has
formed these conclusions from person
al inVestiga ton and conversation with
leading FilipinOs, both of the insurgents
and those not allied with them; Spanish
officials. army, naval and civil; Spanish
business men, Spanish prisoners, and
foreigners of all natiOnalities interested
here:
THE enormous wealth and undeveI-
oped resources of the islands," he said,
ARE undisputed.
THE people are dOcile and easily
managed, and would readily submit to
any government that would control
them firmly and protect and direct them
without the oppression and injustice
they suffered under the Spanish.
These people are absolutely untitled
for citizenship as the term is under
stood in America.
"The Filipinos would be unable to MAIN
tain an independent government, even
in the island Of LuzOn, if they could es-
ia biish it.
1.-The Spanish would be utterly unable
at any time in the near future to dis
charge the duty of government toward
life and property in the island of Luz
zOn.
THE form of government in the
American territories prior to their ad-
mission to statehood would be imprac-
ticable here
This gentleman, an officer. has rem
dered q report embOdying these cOnclu- |
sions, which undoubtedly expresses the |
consensus of opinion of the men best in
formed here and best able to analyze
the situation.
The first issue of the Independence,
a Filipino newspaper, officially salutes |
President Mckinley and the American /
people, assuring them of the F'ilipinos' /
friendship and gratitude for assisting |
the Filipinos to put an end to Spanish |
domination in the Philippines, and !
hopes that the Americans will recognize |
their independence.